Replacing the fuel filter
1. Access to the fuel filter can be provided by removing the air filter housing (see chapter 4B).
2. Place a bowl under the fuel filter to collect the fuel and disconnect the fuel hoses (see figure 32.2, a, b).
Figure 32.2,a. Location of the fuel filter.
Figure 32.2,b. Disconnecting the fuel hoses.
3. Disconnect the fuel heater connector at the top of the fuel filter (see Figure 32.3).
Figure 32.3. Disconnecting the wiring connectors from the fuel filter.
4. Disconnect the low fuel sensor connector at the bottom of the fuel filter.
5. Loosen the mounting nuts and remove the filter from the bracket, then release the drain plug and drain the fuel into a basin (see Figure 32.5).
Figure 32.5. Removing the fuel filter.
After the fuel has drained, tighten the plug.
6. Clamp the filter housing in a vice and unscrew the fuel level sensor from its bottom. Remove the old sealing ring (see Figure 32.6, a-c).
Figure 32.6,a. Use a suitable adjustable wrench to remove the low fuel sensor...
Figure 32.6, b....and remove it from the bottom of the filter element.
Figure 32.6, c. Remove the old sealing ring.
7. Unscrew the filter element from the filter housing and discard it. Toyota specialists use a special puller for this purpose, but you can also get by with a belt oil filter puller (see Figure 32.7, a, b).
Figure 32.7,a. Using a belt oil filter remover, unscrew the filter element...
Figure 32.7,6...and pull it out of the fuel filter housing.
8. Wipe the seating surfaces of the housing and the new filter element and lightly moisten them with fuel.
9. Screw the new filter element into the filter housing until the seating surfaces touch and then tighten by hand another ¾ turn, without using any tools.
10. Moisten the new sealing ring with fuel and install it on the old fuel level sensor. Screw the sensor into the filter element in the fuel filter housing and tighten it securely.
11. Install the filter housing on the bracket and tighten the mounting nuts.
12. Connect the connectors of the lack of fuel sensor and fuel heater.
13. Connect the fuel hoses.
14. Install the air filter housing.
15. Using the hand pump located at the top of the housing, pump fuel into the filter until you feel resistance to movement, which indicates that the filter is full.
16. Start the engine and check for fuel leaks.