3.4v6

when is a good time to change the fuel filter?

oldsub86

According to my local dealer it is not a regular service item. They don't even stock them. The manager said they would order one for me if I insisted but he saw no reason why I should need it. He says they would only change a filter if there was evidence that it was causing trouble - ie if the engine was starving for fuel.

Glenn

Like never on a 22RE. It's a pain to get at.

I ran with the original filter until the truck was 12 years old before swapping it out. I didn't really notice a huge difference in performance.

3.4v6

ok ... thanks guys

miket223

Fuel filters aren't a regular service item on Toys. I would however replace the filters on my own vehicle every 5 years or 120k miles. I have yet to see a Toyota brand fuel filter fail under normal conditions within this service period. Putting water in your fuel tank usually decreases these service intervals however. Also, if you like to have rust in your tank it can decrease the life of your filter and more regular service is recommended.

waycan

How are toyota filters different that anyone elses? Every other car manufacturer, that I know of, recomends changing the fuel filter at specified intervals. I think it is a good idea especially where I live here in BC where we have dirty fuel problems. I know several people who have taken out a fuel pump because their filter was clogged. The warrantees for any new fuel pumps that I know of are void if the filter is not changed at the same time.
The dirt in the fuel has to go somewhere so either the filter is getting it or it is going right through into your injectors. If the filter is catching the dirt it has to eventually fill up. Just like an air filter it can only hold so much dirt, right? Or is there something I am missing?
Here in the interior region of BC, mechanics (other than Toyota) recommend changing the fuel filter at 24,000 kms. Its quite heavily advertised here.

miket223

Here's my observation about fuel filters. I work on anything that rolls through the shop. I have seen Toyota vehicles run the original fuel filter for the life of the vehicle which usually ends up being about 2.5x10^9 miles without ever having an appearent fuel delivery problem. I do see GMs regularly coming into the shop with driveability problems related to a clogged fuel filter. Keep in mind I work at a Toyota shop and we sell approximately 4 times more fuel filters to GM vehicles than for Toyotas. I'm not trying to be a Toyota zealot which I am but there's obviously something different about these two brands of vehicles. They both use the same gas but one needs a fuel filter more often. Maybe the GMs filter to a smaller particle size than Toyota so hence their service life is shorter. In the shop I work for we don't put a fuel filter on it unless the customer specifically wants it or it needs one. Beats me, I just know that if you have a domestic you change the filter more often and if you have a Toyota you just kinda change it whenever you want or it needs one. Anyone else have and real scientific data or experience? This kinda has me interseted in knowing some real facts.

nees1212

On paper at my dealership, it says every 30K miles. However, they said there is no need to do this. They recommend pouring a can of BG44K in your gas tank every 30K. I just did this, but honestly haven't noticed any difference, and I'm at 40K.

Ric

well whats the job of a filter ? to filter out the dirt, thats in the gas, right ? that means at some point, it will get clogged/dirty, what ever you want to call it, lets face it, all pump gas is not 100% clean, so the gas that goes through the filter, will get the filter dirty, what does a fliter cost ? about $10, takes about 20 min. to install, pretty cheap and easy for peice of mind in my book.
and yes, my dealer to me the same, it never needs replaceing, so i went to advance auto and got one, just my little peice of mind, i feel better, lol.

3.4v6

my dealer quoted me $47 for a new fuel filter ... and they still had to order it.

Ric

3.4v6
try auto zone, or advance auto $47 is crazy

3.4v6

heck ya $47 is crazy but i wanna try and stick to OEM parts. are the filters they have at autozone just as good as the OEM ones?

Ric

well ive had mine on for about 3 months, now, no prob. at all, the guys at the dealer told me that there are only about 3 major filter manufactures so chances are, the ones from auto zone etc. are the same, just a diff. name stamped on it, not sure how much of that is true.

RSimon

I changed mine at 60,000 miles with a Amsoil one made by Hastings. I think I am getting better gas millage, but that's only with one tank of gas. I'll post better results later on after a few hundred miles.

Roy

rjm

changing the fuel filter on the 3.4 isn't bad. i am a firm believer in preventive maintenance- i change mine every 15,000 to 20,000 miles