How To Replace A Fuel Filter On A 1994 Toyota Camry

Hardlymoving writes about do-it-yourself motorcar maintenance on various makes and models.

Toyota Camry 5SFE Fuel Filter

Side and top view of a 5SFE replacement filter (without the bracket) — Side and elevation view of a 5SFE replacement filter (without the bracket)

I of the nearly commonly neglected maintenance tasks on today'due south automobiles is fuel filter replacement. In the example of the Toyota Camry ('89–'01), the manufacturer does not even list the fuel filter as a scheduled maintenance item. Surprisingly, many mechanics at both dealerships and independent shops practise not advocate its replacement unless customers request it.

A replacement filter is not expensive, but when it gets clogged information technology deprives the engine of the fuel it needs, and the post-obit symptoms may occur:

Hesitation when towing or climbing hills
Difficulty starting, especially when the engine is cold
Poor acceleration
Engine shutting downwardly during idle
Fuel pump failure (if the pump is overtaxed with also much dorsum pressure level)
Engine misfire due to lack of acceptable fuel

Advocates of fuel filter replacement recommend doing it every three years or 30,000 miles, and possibly sooner if one is the victim of a bad tank of gas.

Later yous remove a filter, you tin determine how badly chock-full information technology is by this examination: remove as much gas every bit possible from the filter, wipe clean the filter input port, and so try to blow air through the intake plumbing equipment, as if blowing up a balloon. Some residual gas will accident out in the procedure. Sometimes when I take tried this I plant I couldn't accident air through the filter at all. Compare this to blowing through a new filter; information technology should have near no resistance.

On newer model Camrys ('02 and afterwards), including nigh Toyota and Lexus models, the filter is integrated with the fuel pump regulator located inside the fuel tank. Perhaps the reasoning behind this design is that 1) if yous are going to supercede the fuel filter, you might as well replace the fuel pump too, given the effort involved in removing the fuel pump regulator associates; and 2) the filter and pump should last about the same time. The latter supposition won't be true, though, if the fuel tank was filled with contaminated fuel that clogged the fuel filter but didn't touch on the pump.

Camry 5SFE Fuel Filter Replacement

Access to the filter is made simpler by removing parts that interfere with tool access. I recommend removing the air filter box and the commuter'south side fender apron seal. Equally long as the air cleaner box is removed, consider cleaning the throttle trunk and throttle plate to get rid of carbon buildup. This is another maintenance item that isn't listed on the manufacturer'due south maintenance schedule. Accessing the throttle body intake is easier with the air filter box and air hose removed.

Remove the Cleaner Box Peak Lid

Remove the Lower Cleaner Box

Optional: Remove the Cleaner Box Hose for Throttle Trunk Cleaning

Detach the Electric Wire Strap

Detaching the wire harness from the fuel filter clip

Remove the Commuter's-Side Fender Apron Seal

Camry driver's-side apron — Camry commuter's-side apron

Crow's-foot tool for removing the lower fuel filter connection — Crow'south-foot tool for removing the lower fuel filter connection

Remove the Lower Fuel Line Fitting

Before torquing off the lower fuel line plumbing equipment, have a rag on paw to capture any fuel that may leak later on removal. I used a crow's-foot flare nut adapter tool like this one instead of an open up-end wrench to generate more leveraged torque and avoid stripping the fitting.

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If the Lower Fuel Line Fitting Won't Come Off

Sometimes the fuel filter needs replacement, but the flare nut but won't plough. The trouble may have been caused at the factory where the flare nut was cantankerous-threaded on with high-torque tools. At that place are two remedy options you tin try:

Strap-wrench the filter and utilize vice grips on the flare nut. While property the vice grips stationary, plough the filter with the strap wrench.
Hacksaw off the bottom portion of the fuel line. Go to your local auto parts shop and find a contumely fuel hose plumbing fixtures that can screw onto the bottom of the new fuel filter. Purchase a human foot-long fuel line. Connect the new fuel line from the hacksawed-off fuel line to the contumely fuel hose fitting. Secure the fuel line ends with hose clamps. This is a final resort that has worked for me on several occasions.

A customer of mine had a fuel pump replaced, while away on holiday, and the repair shop told him that they couldn't get the filter off for replacement. He subsequently complained he could hear the new fuel pump making noise and the engine lacked power. Later, afterwards he got the filter off and replaced it, the noise and power issues disappeared.

Remove the Union Bolt From the Height of the Filter

A i/two" socket wrench is recommended. At that place is little room to adhere a box wrench or open-end wrench to the marriage bolt. Grasp the filter firmly while applying loosening torque on the bolt. Identify a bucket under the filter to capture gasoline; when the bolt is released, the filter will lose its vacuum.

Torquing off the upper fuel filter line connection

Remove the Fuel Filter

If the replacement filter came with a new subclass, remove the 2 10 mm bracket retaining bolts from the vehicle frame. If using the existing bracket, remove the subclass and loosen the filter clamp bolt to slide out the old filter. Attach the new filter to the bottom plumbing equipment before attaching the bracket. Doing this makes information technology easier to accommodate the fuel subclass while adjustment both the fuel supply line and mounting to the vehicle frame.

Screw the New Filter Onto the Lower Fuel Line Fitting

New Camry fuel filter screwed into the lower fuel line connection

Connect the Filter Bracket and Fuel Lines

Slide the new or existing fuel subclass onto the new filter. Marshal the filter's elongated tabs with the indentation on the fuel bracket where the upper metal fuel line is at a 30-degree angle facing the manual. Check that the bracket can align with the commodities holes on the frame without placing stress on the lower fuel line. After tightening the subclass mounting bolts, secure the matrimony commodities to the new filter with new lower and upper O-rings. At present you tin can tighten the lower fuel line plumbing equipment.

Boosted Fuel Filter

On the Camry, ES300, RAV4 and Avalon, there is an additional filter attached to the fuel pump regulator within the fuel tank that works in conjunction with the fuel pump strainer. If your car has over 150,000 miles on information technology, it may exist a good idea to supplant the pump, strainer and filter as preventative maintenance. I take written an article on how to do this replacement yourself.

90-01-toyota-camry-fuel-filter-replacement-throttle-body-cleaning

Optional: Clean the Throttle Trunk Plate

If the air box hose has been removed, before putting everything back together, you might consider cleaning off any carbon deposits that may accept accumulated on the edges of the throttle trunk plate (or "butterfly") and the interior of the throttle trunk port. For cleaning, use carburetor spray solvent like this one . Piece of work the plate open, and apply a make clean rag plus perhaps a used toothbrush to loosen the carbon. For a really thorough cleaning chore, you can remove the throttle body from the intake manifold and clean information technology while it's off the car. This way y'all can make clean the air ports leading into the throttle body using a thin nylon-bristle brush.

Throttle Body

Exam the Fuel Line for Leaks

Turn the engine on for 30 seconds to allow the electric fuel pump to saturate the new fuel filter with fuel. Check for leaks. Then outset the machine, and with the engine running, check for leaks.

I recommend using a "Acme Tier" gasoline to prevent eolith buildup in your fuel injectors and intake values. Use a fuel injector/fuel arrangement cleaner if you have whatever concerns about deposit buildup.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author'southward knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does non substitute for personal counsel or professional person advice in business organization, financial, legal, or technical matters.

Questions & Answers

Question: What is the correct washer placement on a 2000 Toyota Camry fuel filter replacement?

Answer: At both the peak and bottom of the fuel line banjo fitting.

Question: Is at that place another washer that goes at the bottom fuel line?

Reply: There should be 2 new washers with every new fuel filter; one for the bottom of the banjo bolt connector and the other for the top. When you unbolt the banjo bolt, you lot'll come across the two washers.

Question: Ane more; I want to lubricate the filter fittings. threads and connections so that hereafter replacements are easier. What type of grease/lubricant would you recommend for the filter fittings in a Toyota Camry? I am because white lithium, anti-seize, and Teflon based constructed.

Reply: I understand your problem. The thing is, lubrication to become information technology off in the future isn't the problem. It'south getting the flare nut tight enough so the fuel won't leak. What has worked for me is applying Teflon plumber's record on the flare nut threads. That has worked out very well for me. It prevents leaks and you won't accept to worry about over-torquing the flare nut.

Question: How practice I cheque the Fuel Pressure in a 97' Toyota Camry? Is at that place any valve I can connect a psi gauge to read the pressure in the system?

Answer: You'd need to buy yourself a fuel pressure service kit. It'll come with banjo bolt adapters to allows you to tap into either fuel rail or fuel filter.