Change fuel filter on a Corolla, tricky?

dnme

Hi

I got a new fuel filter for my Corolla (98 1.3L). I was wondering if it is a simple enough job to replace the old one? Is there anything I need to be aware of ?

Many thanks

colm_mcm

http://www.ehow.com/how_4484610_replace-fuel-filter-toyota-corolla.html

dnme

Colm

I hate those ehow articles, they are often american based and sometimes just wrong.

I saw that article earlier and abandoned it because it states that the filter is on the drivers side which is not the case with my car.

colm_mcm

for right, read left, and for left read right!

According to my Haynes manual; these are the basics:

The cannister is located in a bracket on the firewall on the left side of the car.

use backup wrench to steady filter body, remove threaded banjo bolt at top
loosen fitting at the bottom
remove both brackets from firewall
remove filter and support assembly
note inlet and outlet ends of filter, flanged end down
outlet up, inlet down.
use the crush washers supplied
tighten fittings
everything else is obvious.

dnme

cheers colm

tell me, do I need to depressureize the fuel line at all?

EDIT: what is a backup wrench?

Atlantic Dawn

On the Corolla unless there's an issue with the fuel supply being contaminated I would leave it be, it's not required to be replaced during regular servicing unless there's issues.

dnme

there's issues

do I need to depressurize the line first?

colm_mcm

backup wrench is just a term for when you use one wrench to hold something in place, and use another to loosen something on it.

Haynes says replace every 30k.
No need to depressurise, the fuel will be flowing upwards to the pump filter so there shouldn't be any major spillages.

the newer ones that are in the tank generally don't need changing.

dnme

many thanks colm,

The Corolla is idling very rough and often very high. In my efforts to troubleshoot, today my mechanic replaced the throttle body (picked up one from ebay for 35 quid in mint condition), that made no real difference so before I go any further I am replacing the fuel filter. It looks like it was never ever done (123k on the clock) so it'll do no harm either way.

onwards

EDIT: Regardless of the advice on depressurizing, I'm just wondering if it makes sense to run th enegine, pull the fuel pump fuze and let it depressurize itself before I start work ? Might make things a bit tidier if not safer in the long run...

colm_mcm

I'd just follow the instriuctions from the manual. these guys know what they're doing - no point in over-complicating things for yourself.

DublinDilbert

dnme wrote: »

onwards

EDIT: Regardless of the advice on depressurizing, I'm just wondering if it makes sense to run th enegine, pull the fuel pump fuze and let it depressurize itself before I start work ? Might make things a bit tidier if not safer in the long run...

Yep thats typically what you do to depressurize the system. i would assume that your mechanic tested the pressure at the fuel rail?

Your rough idle could un-metered air getting in from a vac leak.