Fuel Filter

[caveatipse]

How often should I change the fuel filter on my 2007 Yaris? Thanks.

[d2dailly]

it is in the fuel pump in the gas tank you would need to drop the whole fuel tank... only needs to be changed if something goes wrong

[caveatipse]

But won't it eventually get clogged?

[07typeS]

yes it will start getting clogged....I was curious to this as well. my last car i changed it every 20000 miles, only because i always noticed a difference everytime i did it, gas mileage went up and easier starts....

sucks its in the fuel tank though....boo

[caveatipse]

So basically I would have to get a Toyota dealer mechanic to do it, yes?

[07typeS]

im not saying that.... its doable.....but its definately not beginner type maintenance item....especially an in tank filter.....

[caveatipse]

So let me put it this way. Does anyone here regularly change their Yaris fuel filter, and if so, how hard is it? If not, what is the logic behind not changing it? thanks!

[ChinoCharles]

A piece of advice that someone would give you if I didn't anyway... do not let your Yaris run down to fumes regularly, if at all if you can help it. Doing that will help extend the life of that fuel filter you're worried about. This is why the manual says do not let the car drop below two bars of fuel.

[caveatipse]

Is there perhaps an access panel in the trunk to reach the fuel filter like in some cars?

[ttufrosty]

Check the Factory Manual, and look in the section on the Fuel system on the pages after FU-24. It involves the removal of the rear seat, pulling out the pump, and then disassembling the pump to get to the fuel filter. The pictures in the manual are pretty self explanatory.

[caveatipse]

Geez that sounds complicated lol. D*mn you Toyota!

[churp]

A piece of advice that someone would give you if I didn't anyway... do not let your Yaris run down to fumes regularly, if at all if you can help it. Doing that will help extend the life of that fuel filter you're worried about. This is why the manual says do not let the car drop below two bars of fuel.

+1......plus adding a gas additive occasionally, like seafoam, will help keep the gunk/tars that may build up in the tank and injectors is a good preventative measure. IMO don't mess with the filter unless it needs it.

[Pavel Olavich]

it is in the fuel pump in the gas tank you would need to drop the whole fuel tank... only needs to be changed if something goes wrong

I don't think you have to drop the tank....just take the back seat out and then it's very easy access. Since the tank doesn't have to be dropped, this maintenence is fairly easy to do.

[Pavel Olavich]

+1......plus adding a gas additive occasionally, like seafoam, will help keep the gunk/tars that may build up in the tank and injectors is a good preventative measure. IMO don't mess with the filter unless it needs it.

Additives may well help, but they will not clean a dirty filter.

[churp]

Additives may well help, but they will not clean a dirty filter.

I agree it won't clean the filter. But a lot of what normally clogs the filter is usually tars that could be reduced in a preventative measure beforehand.

[Black Yaris]

the fiter on our cars does not require changing under normal cercomestances...

[07typeS]

thats good to know then. The other benefit to not letting your fuel get low, is that fuel acts as coolant for the fuel pump, pump may get a little warm being constantly on and all the fluid in there keeps it cool....

[xed]

Not running down to fumes is good advice for any car. Basically there's little bits of crap that will accumulate over time in your gas tank. These tend to settle at the bottom of your tank (think silt on a riverbed). If you run your tank way low then it tends to stir up the crap that's sitting there at the bottom of your tank and if it is stirred up then it will find it's way into the fuel line where the filter will pick it up.

So one of the keys to keeping a nice clean fuel filter is never to run your car when you're getting down to "E". The rule of thumb that I've alway heard is to never let your tank get below 1/4. So far it has worked well for me.

[Nabisco]

I mean this in the kindest way.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsessive-compulsive_disorder

[drifto]

I don't think you have to drop the tank....just take the back seat out and then it's very easy access. Since the tank doesn't have to be dropped, this maintenence is fairly easy to do.

yes there should be an access panel underneah the rear seat cushion. this is where the fuel pump and level unit is located. not really a big deal to change but if you dont seal it back up prerfectly you will have evap codes to deal with. just make sure you have less than half a tank if your going to do it. besides, i wouldnt worry too much about it unless you have some noticeable fuel pressure or hesitation problems.

[caveatipse]

But how can a fuel filter never need changing, when by nature, a filter accumulates particles? Unless the fuel filter is there for no reason, it will eventually need changing, no? All filters do!

[Christopher]

Are you guys sure about this? I have never seen a car without of filter inline between the tank and the engine that will need changed. Sure all cars have a sock filter in the tank also. Chris

[drifto]

But how can a fuel filter never need changing, when by nature, a filter accumulates particles? Unless the fuel filter is there for no reason, it will eventually need changing, no? All filters do!

Are you guys sure about this? I have never seen a car without of filter inline between the tank and the engine that will need changed. Sure all cars have a sock filter in the tank also. Chris

yes it should be changed at the recommended service interval. usually i would change mine at its first tune-up or major service, maybe around the 20-30k mark. but like i said its not something to lose sleep over if you havent done it yet. :rolleyes:

[PodRed]

I did a search and found this old thread that applies to my question.

I have just 16,000 miles on my 2008 Yaris, that I bought in Oct 2007.

It's due for an oil change and the _fuel filter_ came to mind. The reason is my commute changed dramatically last year, I now drive very long distances in the country with no gas stations until I reach my destination.

As a result I have to drive until my fuel light comes on and the last bar is blinking. Prior to the last twelve months I never let fuel level get below 1/3 of a tank remaining.

I would welcome comments to give me some peace of mind, as well as your thoughts in regards to changing it or leaving it be.

The car runs exceptionally well and has had frequent oil changes, air filter changes, etc, based on time, not mileage.

Thanks in advance. :)

[Lux]

All Toyota automobiles use lifetime fuel filters. That means, by design, it will outlast your car. However, filter media become clogged prematurely from contamination through the filler, either by dirty refueling equipment or simply dirty fuel (like from a jerry can that has been sitting in your garage).

You should not change the filter unless you or a technician have diagnosed unequivocally that the fuel pump is suffering from poor output. However, that is no reason to ignore regular fuel system services... and I'm not referring to that snake oil garbage you pour into your fuel tank. A genuine fuel service involves either feeding a pressurised fuel-detergent mixture directly into the fuel rail and running the car from it without the fuel pump, or removing every injector for a reconditioning.

[PodRed]

A genuine fuel service involves either feeding a pressurised fuel-detergent mixture directly into the fuel rail and running the car from it without the fuel pump, or removing every injector for a reconditioning.

Thanks for the excellent advice. Very informative.

Cheers :)

[jamielm]

Hi there,

Apologies for bringing up an old thread, but I thought that it would be better than creating another thread. I have a 2003 Yaris (only recently purchased), and unfortunately ran out of fuel. I was on my way to the Petrol Station after purchasing the car, and prematurely broke down.

Since then I have been having some issues when trying to start up the car (on some occasions it can fire up almost instantaneously, on other occasions it can take up to 10-15 cranks).

I know that I am probably jumping the gun, but I believe that after reading this thread, this could be the reason why this intermittent problem keeps occurring. Is there any way of replacing the in-tank Fuel Filter? If so does anyone have any advice on how to do it/a roundabout quote for parts/labour?

Or could it perhaps be just cleaned, and no need for a replacement to be put in? My car is a Yaris Colour Coll. Vvti 5 Door Hatchback (1299cc, 2003). After reading I am a little confused, no-where online seems to sell Fuel Filters for my model. Do they come as part of the Fuel Pump/Fuel Gauge Sender Unit, or art they actually in built in the Tank? As I said, I'm still a little fuzzy. Thanks in advance for any information.

I hope this is OK with people, sorry again to jump onboard this thread.
Kind regards,
Jamie.

[CTScott]

Hi there,

Apologies for bringing up an old thread, but I thought that it would be better than creating another thread. I have a 2003 Yaris (only recently purchased), and unfortunately ran out of fuel. I was on my way to the Petrol Station after purchasing the car, and prematurely broke down.

Since then I have been having some issues when trying to start up the car (on some occasions it can fire up almost instantaneously, on other occasions it can take up to 10-15 cranks).

I know that I am probably jumping the gun, but I believe that after reading this thread, this could be the reason why this intermittent problem keeps occurring. Is there any way of replacing the in-tank Fuel Filter? If so does anyone have any advice on how to do it/a roundabout quote for parts/labour?

Or could it perhaps be just cleaned, and no need for a replacement to be put in? My car is a Yaris Colour Coll. Vvti 5 Door Hatchback (1299cc, 2003). After reading I am a little confused, no-where online seems to sell Fuel Filters for my model. Do they come as part of the Fuel Pump/Fuel Gauge Sender Unit, or art they actually in built in the Tank? As I said, I'm still a little fuzzy. Thanks in advance for any information.

I hope this is OK with people, sorry again to jump onboard this thread.
Kind regards,
Jamie.

Take a look at this thread: http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42906

The fuel filter is located within the sender assembly and can be replaced. Based on your thread where you describe the issue, I would agree that you should check the fuel filter.