testing fuel pressure on a 3.3L 2005 Toyotal

[micky]

(I don't think I have a fuel problem, but when I'm reading about my car, curiosity rears its head and I have questions.)

How come so many cars have a nipple on the fuel rail with which to test fuel pressure, but 2005 3.3L Toyotas etc. make one insert a T-connector, iiuc underneath the rear seat or just above the gas tank. And IIUC, then you have to remove the T-connector when you're done. Much harder to get to, and both chores are so much more effort than using a nipple on the fuel rail.

Toyota is not usually inconvenient, afaict, so what is going on here?

Oh, and why does the shop manual not include pictures? It only has outline sketches (not even detailed sketches)? I've had Pontiacs and Chryslers and I bought the shop manual for my brother's Ford, iow all of the Big Three, and every one had much more informative manuals than either of my Toyotas'.

And there is constant reference to toyota-specific test equipment etc.

Basically, I can't tell a thing from the shop manual and have to rely on youtube videos and on webpages. Whereas with American cars, the shop manual was all I needed to fix them.

Is it that Toyota manuals are designed only for the mechanic and not for anyone without a lot of experience?

Are all Japanese shop manuals like Toyota's?

Is this an example of foreigners with an elitist social hierarchy, or at least a strict one, unlike America where there is a belief that anyone can learn to do anything? --- I've exaggerated the American part some, but I do seriously intend the general nature of the question.

[Tekkie©]

On Sat, 03 Apr 2021 16:37:37 -0400, micky posted for all of us to digest...

They saw you coming! You like that answer?

[Clare Snyder]

The "factory Service Manual" is for "factory trained technicians". It is also usefull for "trained technicians" and is not designed as a "DIY" manual. It assumes a pretty high level of knowlege and ability. The Ford factory manuals are no better - the manual for my 1996 Ranger is a bound manual"supplement" an inch and a half thick plus 2 binders totalling another 7 inches. I also have a set of manuals on disc that consists of SEVEN double layer DVDs!!!!!! to cover the complete line of 1996 Fords. Neither one will tell you how to open the hood if the cable breaks - -

- -

[micky]

I accept all that but I still have the question and comment below.

So even American cars have shop manuals that I would not find helpful now? Because it used to be for Ford, GM, and Chrysler they were incredibly helpful.

And why is there no nipple on the Toyota fuel rail? Wouldn't every mechanic find that a good thing?

[Steve W.]

Lot's of vehicles out there don't have a test port, not just Toyota. It's why shops buy master fuel pressure test kits that include a ton of adapters and you still don't have all of them.

As for the information, that also depends on the manufacturer, some give a write up and little visual info while others show just a cartoon like picture with a simple guide.

Special tools are a way of life on vehicles. Some can be shop made others you spend big money on to use them once. ALL vehicles are built for a mechanic that has experience these days, and the companies want to keep it even closer, if they could require that only dealers worked on them they would, and some are that way now (Tesla and Apple both being examples of those restrictions) They claim everything is intellectual property and you "buying the car" only means you are buying the use of the vehicle, not ownership or the ability to repair them. Just like software companies.

[Ken Olson]

John Deere fall into the control camp.

[Clare Snyder]

snip

Yup. They are pretty technical and detailed but assume a pretty high level of knowlege.

They still are for a lot of things if you know how to read them - and each manufacturer uses a different dialect of pig-latin

Yes most mechanics would finf it handy but the dealers have the special factory service tools. I have a "universal" fuel pressure tester kit that has fittings to fit just about anything EXCEPT the shrader valve - - -

The scrader valve was too handy for the uneducated to futz with, causing high pressure fuel discharge and even leaks I guess.

[Clare Snyder]

Definitely need "right to repair" legislation

[Tekkie©]

On Sun, 04 Apr 2021 00:57:19 -0400, Clare Snyder posted for all of us to digest...

Amen to that! The after market scanners and information services would definitely benefit and help the independent shops.

[micky]

Apparently Toyota started to get rid of it about 2003, so my 2005 hasn't got one but my 2000 probalby did. Alas, I had no fuel problems with the

2000.