Fuel filter how often to change

One of the few things that I dont think has been done.
What do most people do?

Also anyone have a part number.

2003 SR5 V8 - 91K miles

Also a little confused. Does it have 2 filters. Goggle shows a inline filter. But a toyota parts diagram show # 23217-46090 which looks like it goes in the tank.

Thanks

 

Many people say you can let it go for a long time. I changed mine at 176k or so. You're gonna get covered in gas it's probably not worth it at that low of mileage. I can't remember what year they changed the style of filter. 03 or 04 they got rid of the inline filter and it only has one in the tank. Make sure you have an inline filter first.

 

05-06 has the filter in the tank. 04 and before has inline. I changed mine at 180k, but many folks say it's unnecessary to mess with it at all. I notice no difference in the vehicle after replacing. I used a basic WIX filter (WIX 33918) from OReillys, $27, and it came with a new mounting bracket that I did not need to use just kept the OEM bracket installed.

I wasn't covered with fuel but there will definitely be some trickle at least. Unavoidable.
The real trick to installing is to ensure the fuel lines are securely pressed into the new filter to prevent leaks.

There is a great write-up on this forum for our inline fuel filter install, mounting design, etc. Very in depth. Try searching for it

 

My 1997 T100 with 263,000 miles has the original fuel filter.

 

Won't speak of other 03-04 but my 04 DC has a fuel pump filter and what I'll call an inline filter, just below driver door underneath truck. At almost 200K, I have that on a Cool Springs order, along with AF/O2 sensors. Hurry up spring !



As for @RR60, Toyota parts is showing an inline for his 03, part #
23030-62010 and indeed a fuel pump filter also, 23217-46090

2000-2004 Toyota Tundra Fuel Filter 23030-62010 | Toyota Parts (mcgeorgetoyota.com)

 

I say every 200k. It can go longer though.

 

I’m a weirdo, but I have no problems changing mine every now and then. They are cheap and easy enough to do, so why not?

 

Unless you suspect fine debris in your tank, or your fuel pump exploded into tiny bits, there really is no reason to ever change a fuel filter. Your pump has a filter on it and realistically the one on the frame rail is a secondary filter. 230k on mine, never been changed.

 

Thanks,

That explains it.
Looks like they have 2. The main one would be in the fuel tank. The inline one is only for dirt that gets by the first one.

 

When I had vehicles with inline fuel filters they were changed every year. I don't wait for an oil filter to fill up with debris before it's changed.

 

Just seems excessive if there is a filter in the tank before the inline filter.

 

Not if you tried to blow thru one after it's been on a year.

But on the other hand I went to Toyota's website and downloaded the maintenance guide. It does not list a service interval for the fuel filter on the frame rail for a 2003 Tundra.

 

I bought the OEM filter and mount for the rail under the driver's side. It looks as if Toyota installed the filter on the frame BEFORE the cab. The bolts are on the top, and rusted to shit. Ditto the bolt to open the clamp holding the filer...rusted to shit (that's why I bought it all new). I put it back in the box and will consider changing it when it becomes urgent.

 

Ive seen my share of clogged fuel filters. The tundras has been changed twice, once around 2010 or so, and last year when i got the truck. Not cause it needed it, but because i change all the fluids and filters (except trans) when i get something new.

Seems like fuel filters were more of an issue living near houston where it flooded regularly.

i changed the inline filters on the titan and the ranger when i did the pumps, just because i was down there, but both were clean enough.

i’ve been thinking i need to order one or two of those solvent trap fuel filters for s&g’s.

 

I would venture to say that it is part of Mama Toyotas warranty period management plan.

 

If you buy good gas from good stations, the likelyhood of your filter filling with debris is low. If you like to frequent the old shitty cheap gas stations, your results may vary. If your engine is starving for fuel for some reason, filters are a good place to start along with fuel pumps and injectors. If your truck is running great, your fuel filter is highly unlikely to be a problem. I changed mine at 212k miles or so because I had never changed it. No difference before or after, but it resets the clock on when the filter could potentially fill up with debris and cause an issue. I don't buy gas at shitty gas stations though, so it may never have been a problem. The sock filter in the tank is the first line of defense and more likely to be a problem than the secondary filter. I've never changed my sock filter at 265k+ miles.....

 

So many opinions on this subject. Some people say change religiously, some say never.

I will say it's not like your old hot rod that needed a yearly fuel filter.

If you wanna change it, change it, if you don't, don't, there will likely be no issues.

 

If you decide to change it and it's the inline style on the frame rail...I say invest in a flare nut style wrenches/crows feet. If you haven't already.
Not a big job, not a hard job. If you strip/round the nuts. It has now become a big/hard job - haha

 

True, it is all opinion really. I've had my truck since 2008 and followed forums ever since, I don't recall ever seeing a problem that found a fuel filter to be the root.

To add to the murk, I believe there are two styles of inline fuel filter on these trucks. One has nuts on either side and the other has some sort of quick connect. If anybody is looking to change theirs you better crawl under and have a look before ordering.

A few things I've heard over the years about fueling up:
1) don't go to crappy gas stations
2) don't fill up if the station is being refilled. When the big truck dumps fuel into the reserve tanks it can slosh any debris and you may be more likely to get it in your tank (the assumption is that gas stations don't have or don't maintain any filter themselves)
3) don't go to crappy gas stations