I own a 1992 SC400 with high mileage. Would you guys recommend changing the fuel filter?
I"m doing some maintenance on the car and i ran across someone's signature stating "if you drive a high mileage sc4 change your fuel filter you'll be glad you did"
Tried searching but didn't come up with anything, so is this really important to do?
Thanks

 

I recently made a nice thread about changing my fuel filter. Straight up, it sucks, not fun at all. But I would recommend having it changed...or if you insist on doing it yourself, get the right tools!!

Messy messy job

 

For all the posts that say you should change it, there are an equal number of posts (some from full-time Lexus mechanics) saying it should last the life of the car.

 

Well, its just my opinion. Better safe than sorry

 

Yes, but soak the fittings in rust penetrant for several days before attempting removal and use the highest quality metric wrenches and other tools. Traditionally, Toyota owners who don't change the fuel filter end up with expensive problems like partially clogged, worn or leaking fuel injectors or cold start injectors, failed fuel pressure regulators and failed fuel pumps. These problems not only affect the fuel system, but can damage / ruin expensive emission system componets as well like the EGR valve (mostly pre-'98 models), catalytic converters, etc and contribute to substandard fuel economy.

 

Agreed! It's a wise maintenance item to replace.....like the saying goes, pay a little now or a lot later!

 

 

DIY:
$25 for Bosch filter
$10(?) for some quality wrenches
$3 for minor burn relief lotion Laying in a pool of gas for an hour is not fun

And the quote I got from Toyota for changing the fuel filter on a supra was $105

BTW, if you're going to do this, for the love of god, take advantage of these tips:

- Get GOOD open end wrenches to do the job, do NOT try using some cheapo crescent wrenches
- SOAK the fittings with some WD40 or PB nut breaker stuff, again
- Disconnect the fuel pump connector and run car till it stalls
- Open the gas tank cap to relieve pressure in the tank
- And last but not least...do not do this job on a painted surface....


Have fun

 

Aerostar, are you saying you still had quarts of gasoline leak out of the fuel lines even though the gas cap was opened up to relieve pressure in the gas tank? I have not attempted to change the filter yet on my LS400 V8, but I have changed it several times on my Toyota truck fuel injected engine. I never had much leakage from the truck engine fuel lines after disconnecting them so the job was not too difficult or troublesome. However your experience seems to suggest there is no way to avoid major gas spillage when changing the V8 fuel filter.

 

I did disconnect the fuel pump connector, but I did NOT take off the fuel cap . I learned that from VVT-i AFTER doing the job. I actually lost about 4 gallons of gas, but Im guessing that if I took off the cap it would have been MUCH MUCH MUCH less

 

i had lexus change mine in my LS 400 it was like $125 or something like that i wanted the piece of mind of knowing i had a new one after 125,000 miles ... also lexus says you do not have to change the fuel filter !!!

 

i change my fuel filter every 30k miles. I have changed it 2 times now and the 2 times that i've done it, the gas in the filter came out very dirty. I take it to a shop and they do it for about $35 and take them 15 minutes to do...

 

Thats wierd, do you continuously let your gas gauge drop below the 1/4 mark?? My filter was the original (109,xxx miles) and it was dirty, but not THAT bad

 

i usually fill up about 18+gallons, way below the 1/4 tank line.

 

Oooooooh, well there's your problem. Your fuel pump is sucking up all that crap on the bottom of the tank and clogging up the fuel filter.