New Hilux Fuel Filter Service

Doing it at home is easier than when you're away. Its highly unlikely that you'd need to do it when away. I'm pretty sure your Hilux is identical to other current Toyota diesels.

#1 Should the water warning light come on, you need to undo the stopcock on the bottom of the filter and drain some off. The stopcock needs to undo about 2 complete turns, and pumping the black button on top forces the fuel out. A piece of 1/4inch clear hose going into a glass jar is the best way to look for water drops or crud in the fuel.

#2 Should you need to bleed air out of your fuel lines, lift the bonnet and pump the black button on top of the filter until it goes hard. Then start the vehicle.

#3 Changing the fuel filter: Slip a rag under it to catch the splashes. Clean off any dirt around the fuel lines. Slide down the two fuel line clips and slide off the two hoses - be paranoid about keeping these hoses clean - no way do you want any dirt to get in. The housing is held on by two 12mm nuts - undo them and lift the whole thing out, and unplug the wiring. Slip the top into a vice and undo the filter - usually need a filter tool for this. Undo the plastic nut / sensor on the bottom and slip it onto the new filter and include the new O-ring. Screw it all back onto the top housing (with new seal), and reinstall to vehicle. Then pump like hell on the black button to remove the air - this can take a while. You can leave the outlet hose off while doing that until fuel comes through then reconnect and pump until the button goes hard. If it doesn't go hard after heaps of pumping, start the vehicle and idle it - remaining small quantities of air usually bypass the injector pump.

Thats all off the top of my head, so hopefully someone will come up with anything missed.

Terra Firma, not sure that you would want to PLAN to do this while away. Guess you might mean you will carry a spare filter and do the swap if you need to.

I carried a spare fuel filter (and other spares) on a recent trip to 'remote' areas in Kimberley. I had similar (verbal) instructions to those given by Phil. I figured if I had trouble doing the job, someone with a bit more mechanical knowledge (not difficult) would eventually come along.

Anyway, after 16,000 KM (6,000 off bitumen), then another 10,000 since getting back, I still have the spare filter (and all my other spares as well). But I'd rather be safe than sorry.