I just read something in another thread that brought a question to my mind; and that is how do I know for sure if the fuel filter was ever changed and how often should it be changed. Again this is keeping in mind i picked up my 2000 rx300 used with 107,000 and now has a bit over 112,000 on it. Obviously; if the filter is dirty it can cause starting and running issues like it will run rough and can stall out at any time etc. but I dont want to have that happen so im wondering if i should have it changed out soon just to be sure or wait on it. Thanks Matt

 

The fuel filter is in the tank, it's a part of the fuel pump assembly. It's basically a strainer.

In tank fuel filters are seldom replaced, unless the fuel pump dies in which case the whole assembly is replaced.

 

Well; I am still wondering if it should be changed out so i dont encounter any issues? Even if i ti is a part of the fuel pump assembly; cant just the filter be changed out by itself or do you actually have to replace the entire pump in order to replace the filter as well?

 

Matt:

The screen sits in the fuel tank and gets cleaned by the fuel that gets sloshed in the tank.

Unless you buy gas from bad pumps or constantly run low, the chance of the filter getting clogged is way less than the actual pump going bad.

Now if you were outside of USA, where the underground tanks are not sealed there is a higher chance of filter getting clogged.

Salim