Rounded flare nut advice

Looking to replace the fuel filter. I'm thinking Toyota must have had a gorilla in their employ when it was last replaced, because that sucker is TIGHT! Hit it with WD-40. Zero luck with line wrench as it's already semi-rounded.

Curious if anyone has had luck with these:

$22 Visegrip 7Lw Locking Wrench 7In

https://www.amazon.com/Irwin-Vise-L...43698&sprefix=irwin+locking+wr,aps,166&sr=8-3.

Am I just as good trying regular vise grips? Thought maybe these would minimize chewing up the corners even more.

Thanks!

 

I don’t recall the reviews being too great when I last looked at that. Most people use a flare wrench. I’d probably cut it out and replace the line myself. When I had the garage do it, they destroyed the line going from the filter to the engine bay and replaced it.

 

If flare nut will no longer accept combination wrench on left side of filter, a combination wrench on filter nut itself and vise grip on flare nut, there really should be no problem untightening flare nut....should be no problem.

If it's the right side, may need to hold filter with pipe wrench and use vise grip on screwed up flare nut.

 

I just tried the 10 inch and the 4 inch. 10 inch was too big to fit on the nut and I couldn't get enough leverage on the 4 inch. Go figure... The 4 inch did seem to bite like a badger though. Probably getting too fancy with it and Bubba's suggestion of a plain ol pair of Vise Grips will work just fine.

To replace a section, are you thinking of going back a foot or so and using a tubing cutter and replacing with a length of steel tubing? Use a flaring tool to put the flare on the filter end and perhaps a compression fitting on the other end?
I've never flared a section of steel tubing, but used to do copper a fair amount back in the day.

Thanks

 

Probably something similar to what you mention but that’s a last resort when the flare nut rusts into the filter like they can typically do around here. You’re in NM so you shouldn’t be having the same issues as me. Go ahead and buy the special vice grip and let us know how it works. At least it’s 7” which is what you need.

 

That's where I was headed. Only reason I haven't broken out the regular vise grips is fear of tearing up the nut even more. Thought these might be a little easier on it....

 

That's similar to the reasoning I always use on my lovely wife when justifying new tools.... I gotta have it honey

 

I would be concerned about the nut being stuck to the tube and twisting it once it broke free from the filter. I suggest a copious amount of whatever your favorite penetrating oil is and let it soak for a while before trying to remove the filter.

 

WD-40 is not a good penetrating oil. Use Kroil, PB Blaster or an equivalent. Then once the threads have had time to wick the oil into them, work the flare nut back and forth when removing it. 1/4 turn back, 1/4 turn forward etc. until it feels like it will easily spin off. Unfortunately, the torch is a terrible idea here

 

I have a pair of them. They definitely have a place in everyone's shop. The only problem is that some nut/bolt heads are just too small of a diameter for those particular vise grips to clamp down on. Like they might not work on fasteners that have a 10mm head on them. So it's stuff like that which will make them useless in some situations.

 

After trying the 4" and 10", I think the 7" should be right on the money.

I'll get em and then end up doing what Bubba said anyhow

 

You can always pull the gas tank and then take a torch to the fuel filter to get those fittings off clean.

 

Right?! I'm guessing that it must have had a small leak years ago and the tech's answer was to gorilla the hell out of it.

Any thoughts on Teflon tape if that's the case? To my way of thinking, if you're having to do that something is wrong - maybe fouled up flare end or similar.

 

I’m not sure about teflon use on fuel lines though. They’re only for certain threaded applications like water use. I don’t know about gasoline.

 

I’d be very tempted to cut it out and straight pipe that fucker with quick connects, no more filter.

If the 2005-2006 trucks deleted the filter surely it’s OK for the 2000-2004 right?

 

@shifty` isn’t your fuel filter now relocated to the fuel tank? I thought the was the case for later year vehicles.

 

To clarify, thinking no to teflon tape. One shouldn't have to crank it down that hard to stop a leak. Thinking the flare on the end is gummed up.

Had I not waited 12 weeks for, yes, a fuel filter, I'd be all over @Shifty's idea.

 

The threads do not seal on a flare fitting. No tape needed.

 

Right! Been too long since I worked with flare fittings. Makes me think the flare is fouled. Otherwise, why gorilla the damn fitting?!

 

It’s probably just corroded

 

It's odd. The engine side came off lickety split with a line wrench. Other side ain't having it

 

If that’s the case, I’d just replace that entire short section of line to the tank. It’s what, maybe $30-$35?

 

Agreed. Had the same thought. Cost of the line didn't concern me so much as the labor involved. That said, I did not look it over carefully to see what all is involved. Will do so...

 

It's just a quick disconnect on the tank side to remove if you have the tool or are able to do it without it. If there are any plastic brackets holding the line, slide it out from the side and don't pull it out directly or the brittle bracket may break. You may have to cut the line to do so.

 

Would you be kind enough to send me more a link to the tool? New to me.. Thanks.

Last fuel line work of any kind that I did was on a Chevy small block. Much has changed.

 

I haven't had to use the tool, but I'd do a search on "toyota quick disconnect fuel line tool" or something similar.

I came up with this:
https://www.lislecorp.com/specialty-tools/main-fuel-line-disconnect-for-toyota-and-nissan

I haven't had to use one, so you'd have to look over a few youtube videos on how to use it.

Someone may also chime in on how to go about doing it without the tool. I don't think everyone uses it.

 

10-4. Thanks.

 

It's not even a filter, it's the typical screen-sock thing you find on most vehicles I've owned, which only filters particulate large enough to clog an injector.

 

Summit Racing (and maybe the local auto parts stores) sell a pack of 3-5 different disconnect tools in a pack. I bought one like 20 years ago and it sits in the toolbox for those rare occasions I need it. It's quite possible it's the Lisle kit 39900, I dunno. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/lil-39900

I used to use the shit out of those damn things when I was helping friends with GenIII SBC swaps, pre-kids.

 

Last time I replaced a fuel filter, it was a little dinky thing that was actually housed in a Rochester carburetor. Green as grass, but getting there....