Fuel filter replacement; gas doesn't stop coming out of lines

So I'm attempting to replace the fuel filter and I've followed the directions in my Hanes manual and gas just keeps pouring out of the lines on either side of the filter which is making it impossible to take the filter out. I've got an entire liter in a bucket at this point. I was expecting a couple of cups but not this much. The only thing that is odd is that when I wen to start the truck after pulling the gas cap off and taking the circuit opening relay out is that the truck never actually started; it just cranked. The manual assumes the truck will start and then stall but mine never started.

Basic steps from the manual:
Remove gas cap
Remove Circuit Opening Relay
Start engine and wait for it to stall
Remove negative battery cable
Unhook fuel lines and replace filter.

What am I doing wrong?

 

Wow....It's been a long time, but the only thing I did was disconnect the battery cable, crawled underneath with a bucket, a fire extinguisher, and started removing the filter. About 1 cup came out and that was it.....
Truck started fine when I was done.

At some point, all the gas in the lines should empty out ....

 

Went through the procedure again; car started for a second then stalled like I was hoping it would. Forgot to unplug battery; uh oh. The gas was coming out fast and furious so I decided to put the gas cap back on and it stopped at half a liter this time. Not sure if that did it but I got the filter changed. It's also possible that because I had just filled up today may have been the problem. It probably overfills slightly which would explain the ton of extra gas. Probably best to do this on empty tank

 

It's not really going to stop siphoning out of the lines. You just have to tough it it and work fairly quick. You will get fuel running down/up your arms and into your armpits. Best of luck.

 

How about replacing the filter when the tank is below 1/4 tank maybe so much won't siphon out.

 

What you are looking at is the typical condition of siphoning. When you disconnect the fuel filter, the gas in the line leading back to the tank drains out, but creates a small vacuum in the line. This draws more fuel from the tank into the line. A fuller tank of course increases this. Most of the time when changing out a fuel filter I simply prepare for the fuel and change it out quickly. Sometimes though it is not an option, so I remove the fuel cap, then when I disconnect the fuel line that goes back to the tank, I CAREFULLY apply a small amount of compressed air to the line, pushing the fuel back into the tank. As for the front, there is a reasonable amount of fuel in that front line, and sometimes just letting it drain out is the best option.

 

This was my experience also.

 

hmm this didn't happen to me at all, do you have the v6? maybe b/c filter is lower than on the 4 cylinder

 

edit: re-read the first post.

Sounds like you just need to pull the filter out and change it quickly.

 

Piggybacking this thread...

...how do you guys dispose of the gasoline that you catch in a jar/bowl/etc?

 

Dump any gas I catch back in the tank. Why waste it?

 

Good point.

I also have two jerry cans with some 10 year old gasoline in it that I'm looking to dispose of also... so I can put fresh gas in them for camping/wheeling trips this summer.

 

If it's not laquered use it as parts cleaner.

Add it gradually to any small gas engines you have (5:1 new: old).

Use it for starting fires...

More fire...

Fire.

 

Again, one more question...

I want to go replace my fuel filter now but I do not have a 19mm wrench (15mm is my largest). Is it necessary?

I'm looking at this walk through: http://www.customtacos.com/tech/index.php?article=175

Why can't I just use a pair of pliers or what not in place of a 19mm wrench?

Another walk through I read: http://www.4runners.org/writeups/fuelfilter/index.html

Doesn't even mention the need of a 19mm wrench.

Any one have experience with this?

TIA

 

I'm pretty sure I didn't use a 19mm wrench. I think I used channel locks if I needed something big but I don't remember.

 

Well the same thing just happened to me as in the OP. I followed the steps to depressurize the system (remove gas cap, remove circuit opening relay, start truck, let stall).

But as soon as I start loosening the 10mm compression nuts (or banjo bolts whatever they're called) gasoline starts spraying out with lots of pressure behind it. To the point it was coating the undercarriage of my truck and impossible to capture in a jar/bowl.

So I just tightened everything back up.

The only thing I can think of is that I have 3/4s of a tank of gas in the tank?

Other than that shit like this pisses me the fuck off. I just want to do easy basic/routine maintenance on my truck.

 

I didn't even depressurize my lines and it just flowed out nicely. I loosened the nut in front of the filter first and let it drain before doing the rear nut.

 

you should use quality line wrenches for loosening those nuts...
same should be noted when removing the steering rack feed lines also.
^ a good idea for any line that uses a nut to secure that.

using a standard wrench... or pliers
is not a good call... as they tend to slip
and round the nut out.

Out of round fubar'd nuts will only be more of a pita
to loosen/remove in the future.

Vise Grips may be your only salvation.

^ something to be avoided ~JMO~

 

My regular old 10mm wrench worked fine for loosening the nuts.

No slipping at all.

I just couldn't get past a certain point because it was like someone had a firehose spraying gasoline all over the place.

 

Yeah, wear protective eye wear and chem gloves.

If I wasn't I wouldn't be happy right now.