Guys I can't seem to find the fuel filter on my 03 4Runner 4x4 Sport V6 Mfgr 8-03. Parts sells me a cartridge in line type filter but I see none in existence on this vehicle.

I'm having loss of power under heavy load and suspect the fuel filter but I cant find the silly thing! One filter is shown in the tank as an integral part of the filter. Past experience I have seen a screen type filter there with other vehicles and wondering if this is the case on a 4Runner. Needless to say I'm not anxious to drop the tank to find out I don't need to replace this filter.

Has anyone experienced fuel pump failure with this symptom? Like I said it runs very good until you start up large hills on the highway and really kick it in the butt, then it begins running poorly until the second you back off the gas and it straightens up. I'm thinking if the fuel pump is expiring (104,000 miles) it would just quit all together. Any thoughts?

Any help is appreciated!!

 

just a thought, since the fuel system is presurized, have the fuel cap checked for leaks. an emissions station should do this when you go for a smog. I'm just thinking you may be losing fuel pressure. have you tried any type of injector cleaner? Seafoam always does wonders. I'll run a small can in about every tenth tankfull of gas.

 

I've checked and am almost certain that it is only a screen filter in the tank, no filter on the fuel line and thus the frame rail.

 

I heard that the fuel filter is inside the fuel pump. This would suck very bad, since you're supposed to change your filter once a year.