Tuneups?

We've had this 93 Corolla wagon since 1995 when it had 45k miles on it. It now has 153k miles.

We haven't paid much attention to mfg's recommended stuff, figuring they just want to make money.

But I was looking for something on this timing procedure today, and found

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They're saying that Toyota recommends replacing some of these things at certain intervals. For example:

Fuel filter PCV charcoal canister

I thought I heard somewhere years ago, when I asked, that the fuel filter was a big giant one and supposed to last the life of the car. Am I wrong?

But should I just go ahead and replace these things now?

Will it affect the mileage any and help it if I do?

Reply to
Moon Goddess
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What the heck for? And I quote from your post about three weeks ago when you wanted to turbo or supercharge it. > "It still gets the same 25-30 mpg at 152000 miles as when we got

Why waste the money?

Reply to
user

If there is a difference between your owner's manual and Autozone, follow the owner's manual. Toyota does not list fuel filter or charcoal canister replacement as part of routine maintenance. The fuel filter should not need routine replacement and should only be replaced if it is clogged. The charcoal canister should be inspected but also does not need routine replacement unless there is a problem with the evaporative emissions system.

As for the PCV system, remove the PCV valve if it has one and shake it. If it rattles, it is good. If it does not rattle, replace it.

Changing the fuel filter, charcoal canister, and PCV system will not affect fuel mileage.

If you are trying to mechanically maximize fuel economy, do this: Use Denso plugs, spark plug wires, distributor rotor, and distributor cap when replacing these items. Make sure your engine air filter is clean and not clogged. Inflate your tires to 5 or 6 PSI over the inflation pressure listed on the glove box door or driver's door frame. Empty all unnecessary stuff from the car. Remove unused ski racks and cargo carriers from the car. Remove any aftermarket spoilers and body accessories. Make base sure ignition timing is set to factory specs. Check the condition of the automatic transmission fluid and change if necessary. Check the condition of the engine coolant and replace if over 2 years old. Make sure the radiator and AC condenser are not clogged by road debris. Make sure all under-engine shrouds are in place. Unplug or turn off all unnecessary electrical accessories.

Your driving habits also have a huge effect on fuel economy, and a little research will yield good results.

Reply to
Ray O

I'm a big believer in "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." If you are having trouble caused by the engine starving for fuel, then you might try replacing the fuel filter.

As for the PCV valve and the charcoal canister, why replace them if the engine is running good.

I really don't know how big the fuel filter is on your car but consider this fact. The fuel you buy is filtered before it is loaded into the tanker truck that delivers it to your filling station. It's stored in under ground fiberglass tanks that are in containment vaults (no rust or leaking ground water). It's filtered again before it is dispensed into your car. So it's pretty clean when you buy it. Your car's fuel filter isn't really going to collect much of anything.

No

If your car is running good now, replacing them will have no effect on how your car runs or the mileage it gets. Unless you get a bad new one.

Jack

Reply to
Retired VIP

Thanks Ray.

Reply to
Moon Goddess

You're welcome!

Reply to
Ray O

So howcome when I yanked the fuel filter on my Mazda, which has a plastic tank, and held it upside down, *MUD* came out of the filter?

Reply to
Hachiroku

I don't know what the MUD consisted of but it could be that you've got a mean kid in your neighborhood. It might also mean you've been buying gas at a station that does't meet EPA requirements and has a leaking steel storage tank. Then again maybe the MUD was gelled crap from old gas.

Do you have any idea what it was?

Jack

Reply to
Retired VIP

Looked like dirt to me.

Mud...you know, mud?

Reply to
Hachiroku

I have seen mud once or twice before but you said it had *MUD* in it. I thought you were saying that it had something other than wet dirt in it.

I don't have any idea were you got mud in your fuel filter. Do you? If so, it might be a good idea for you to stop doing that. hehehe

Jack

Reply to
Retired VIP

Gee, thanks for the advice!

A couple years ago my 240SX couldn't get out of it's own way. I did a complete tune up including all filters. When I turned the Fuel filter upside-down, dirt sluggishly came glopping out of it!

Since then, about every 40,000 miles I replace the fuel filter. They're all of $12 unless you own a Mazda 626, then it's $25.

Even the fuel filter for the Supra is only $16 from Toyota...

Reply to
Hachiroku

True, but accessing it on most newer models is a bit difficult, isn't it?

Isn't it pretty hard to get too on most vehicles? I wonder where it is on my 2002 Corolla. I've heard it's under a seat somewhere?

Reply to
mrsteveo

On older Corollas it's under the hood in plain sight.

On my '85 Celica it was between the starter motor and the intake plenum (OUCH!!!!)

On my Supra it is above the differential behind the fuel tank.

On the Mazda, it was near the firewall, on the top.

On the 240SX it was mounted to the fender.

Interesting, who wants you to replace the FF and who doesn't...

Reply to
Hachiroku

All snipped

I could give a s--t if you replace your fuel filter or not. I was stating my opinion. I've owned somewhere around 12 or 13 cars in my life and been the sole driver on another 20 or 25 company-owned cars and trucks during that time. I have only had to replace one fuel filter on any of them and I've put somewhere around 90,000 to 150,000 miles on each of them.

The one I had to replace was in a 1959 Ford Custom 300, 192 cid with a

2 barrel carb (my first car). It used a ceramic cylinder as a fuel filter. The car had about 130,000 miles on it when I bought it and the filter kept plugging up. I kept taking it out and blowing through it to clear it and it would be fine for 100 to 150 miles. I finally replaced it when I got tired of the taste of gas (actually my girl friend at that time wouldn't kiss me after I'd kissed the fuel filter). That Ford was a piece of crap from day one.

Then again, I don't buy gas at stations that look like they're ready to fall down or have a guy sitting out front chewing 'baccy.

Jack

Reply to
Retired VIP

Good! I was merely making an observation as to which companies make it easy, and which do not.

It really hurts me that you don't care if I replace my filters... :(...

Neither do I!

Reply to
Hachiroku

At

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they appear to be saying that it's not real easy for the EFI models.

Reply to
Moon Goddess

The link was dead so I'm not sure what pages you were referring to. If you are talking about the fuel filter, don't bother unless you have drivability problems.

Reply to
Ray O

Shoulda used tinyurl, sorry:

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Looks like the fuel injected model fuel filter is a royal pain to change.

Reply to
Moon Goddess

If the car is running OK, don't mess with the fuel filter.

Reply to
Ray O

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