Fuel Line Woes

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jun 30, 2005 | 06:54 PM

Spitfire86

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 339

Likes: 0

From: Bay Area, California

Fuel Line Woes

So.. I do most the work on my car myself and decided yesterday to replace the fuel filter! Oh, how easy i thought, two nuts filter in/filter out.

I stripped the nut connecting the fuel line from the tank to the filter! Ok then i got the nut off and tried putting it back on, apparently when i stripped it, it broke the seal too...I started my car up and gas began leaking everywhere.

So, I'm thinking I basically need to replace the fuel line from my gas tank to the fuel filter. Does someone have a part number or a more economical way to solve this problem? Can I replace the whole pipe with a standard copper 3/8'' one made for plumbing from any hardware store?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Jun 30, 2005 | 06:58 PM

inovashn

Advanced

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 501

Likes: 50

From: North Carolina

dude that sucks big time. sounds like some of my luck. good luck with it and i hope someone replies with some help.

Jun 30, 2005 | 07:56 PM

abdul10000

Driver

Joined: Feb 2001

Posts: 161

Likes: 0

From: Chicago

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spitfire86

So, I'm thinking I basically need to replace the fuel line from my gas tank to the fuel filter. Does someone have a part number or a more economical way to solve this problem? Can I replace the whole pipe with a standard copper 3/8'' one made for plumbing from any hardware store?

This is a guess but hopefully a logical one. Hardware store lines will not work because you will not be able to seal them to the emissions standard. When your car is tested for fuel pressure it will fail.

Therefore, the best solution is to buy that piece form a junk yard. I know you can find those lines in a good conditions because of your location. If no junk yard offers them. just drive to one of them and show them the piece and offer taking it out of their salveged car your self. Some will like that arrangement.

Jul 1, 2005 | 04:17 PM

jgscott

Lexus Champion

iTrader: (1)

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 12,620

Likes: 1,943

From: GA

Yeah, I was talking to one the the shop formans at my Lexus dealer the other day. I told him I was about to change my fuel filter. His strong advise was " don't do it " you'll strip the lines taking out the old one. said it happens everytime they do one. I said comon you got to repalace the fuel filter sometimes he said " we stopped doing them Lexus does not even require it.
Anyway I did not do it. He been right about everyuthing else. He did metion that there is a Stripped line fuel filter fix Kit. You should call a Lex dealership that know whats going on and get one to fix it. Hope this helps

Jul 1, 2005 | 04:30 PM

$/Aerostar\'s Avatar$

/Aerostar\

Pole Position

iTrader: (2)

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 2,011

Likes: 6

From: Florida

Ahhhhh man, that sucks. The fuel filter was the ONE thing I wish I had brought my car to a mechanic to (even after doing my clutch/rear main seal/million other things). Advice to anyone looking to do it: DONT PLEASE. Check out my thread

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=122080

Jul 1, 2005 | 11:49 PM

Wald GS

O.C. Lucky Strike Fanatic

iTrader: (1)

Joined: Dec 2002

Posts: 8,675

Likes: 0

From: So.Cal.

I too can attest to this as I took my car to my mechanic last week I needed to flush my tranny and wanted to replace the fuel filter. Mechanic said Lexus from the factory tightened the nut too much and when he loosened one of the bolts, the other one nut would not come off. If he forced it, it would of either stripped it or broken it. He then told me the only way to replace it would be to get a new fuel line and that would not be cheap. Replacing the fuel filter will increase gas mileage, but it isn't significant, its more of for responsiveness when accelerating.

Jul 5, 2005 | 07:15 PM

Spitfire86

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 339

Likes: 0

From: Bay Area, California

well, I fixed it today! After three days of fooling with different options one of them finally worked!

I used a 3/8inch rubber fuel line from OSH ($1.44 a foot!) and a hose clamp with a barbed 3/8inch to 1/4inch compression joint and walla! Everything actually worked together and no leaks. (This was about my third-fourth setup while I was meddling with this)

but yeah, turns out I didn't even use my new fuel filter b/c in the process of experiment with different setups I stripped the threads in the output side so i reused my old filter. The hell with it I say, the old one didn't look too bad anyhow (it still had the toyota number on it!)

well that ordeal is finally over with and i can drive my car again. If i had to do it over again....I'd say I wish I had patience....also remember $.99 teflon tape can go along way in keeping leaks at bay from trying to overtighten!