Fuel pump change - drop tank or no?

[badcamelot]

Sounds as though I need to change the fuel pump (loud wine just started) There are threads that explain how to cut the floor under the reat seat to access the pump without dropping the tank, but much of what I read strongly encourages one to drop the fuel tank and 'clean it' before installing a new pump. Anyone with experience either way? What would one clean it with?

 

[nothingtoseehere]

Make an access panel and be done with it. If one drops the tank, might as well replace it instead of just trying to clean it.

 

[SHObill]

I have never dropped a tank! Unless I am parting a car & it had a good tank. I have cut at least 12 access holes BUT I have the correct Tool! An air chisel with a modified bit to cut shallow & quick. Its the ONLY way to do it quickly & safely. I would never use any type of cut-off wheel! I am also in MI so the tank straps must be cut & replaced cause of the rust! You can still cut the door & pull the pump assy out & inspect the inside of the tank for debris.

 

[ViPER1313]

I just dropped the tank - I didn't like the idea of cutting up the car's floor pan, and my SHO is undercoated so rust wasn't an issue. The whole process took me about 2 or 3 hours, but I'm not a particularly fast worker (ie... it took me 4 or 5 hours to rewire a stereo harness and install an electronic oil pressure gauge last weekend on my Talon.) Most people recommend the access door because it makes the job easier if you have to do it again, and there is a good chance you will destroy your tank taking it out if your car is rusty (the straps eat through the tank.) I didn't clean the inside of the tank at all - maybe I should have....

My advice if you do want to drop the tank: hook a piece of hose to the far end of your fuel filter for a gas can and short the fuel pump test pin under the hood, then turn the car on. That way you can drain the tank almost completely before starting.

 

[SHOhopefull]

I dropped the tank too, but being a southern car, tank and straps were in good shape...Bolts were a ***** though! Not rusted, just real tight. I drained it the old fashioned way...hand pump LOL. Never thought about using the fuel pump.

 

[nothingtoseehere]

For me it was not a matter of rust, it was a matter of convenience. Work smarter, not harder. Took all of 20 minutes to measure and cut the access panel. Then cut some metal strips, rivet to the piece removed to make it larger. Then replaced the pump, use some sealant and tech screws to reattach the panel and done. Whole process took less time than it would take someone to get under the car and start dropping the tank.

 

[jmpSHO]

Sounds as though I need to change the fuel pump (loud wine just started) There are threads that explain how to cut the floor under the reat seat to access the pump without dropping the tank, but much of what I read strongly encourages one to drop the fuel tank and 'clean it' before installing a new pump. Anyone with experience either way? What would one clean it with?

I had a fuel pump that was loud for almost 2 years before I replaced it.

 

[SHOhopefull]

For me it was not a matter of rust, it was a matter of convenience. Work smarter, not harder. Took all of 20 minutes to measure and cut the access panel. Then cut some metal strips, rivet to the piece removed to make it larger. Then replaced the pump, use some sealant and tech screws to reattach the panel and done. Whole process took less time than it would take someone to get under the car and start dropping the tank.

I had originally wanted to try this method, but not having the correct tools for that, I didn't want to press my luck LOL My CB handle is Hardluck for a reason

 

[TimboSHO]

If your car isn't rusty, it takes about 30 mins to drop the tank and install a fuel pump. If your car is rusty, it takes about 5 hours, give or take. That's usually the deciding factor in cutting an access door.... or not.

 

[boat]

Given you live in the west, your car may not have rusted bolts holding the straps. As a pre-cautionary measure, IF you do drop the tank, get some new M10 x 1.5 bolts and new clips (just in case you break your bolts)(ask me how I know), bolts can be picked up at the dealer, for not too bad of a price. Get the new clips at Napa, then use anti-seize on the bolts. THAT IS IF YOU ARE DROPPING THE TANK. Otherwise, disregard.

 

[jimtash]

I have never dropped a tank! Unless I am parting a car & it had a good tank. I have cut at least 12 access holes BUT I have the correct Tool! An air chisel with a modified bit to cut shallow & quick. Its the ONLY way to do it quickly & safely. I would never use any type of cut-off wheel! I am also in MI so the tank straps must be cut & replaced cause of the rust! You can still cut the door & pull the pump assy out & inspect the inside of the tank for debris.

I used a Dremel and a cut-off wheel and it went smooth. The top of the tank is sealed with an o-ring so no fumes or gas should be present. And the lines are close enough to the tank that the cut-off wheel won't come into contact with them if you are careful and keep the tool as as level as possible to the sheet metal.

To cover the gaps left in the sheet metal, I used 3M Strip Calk around the panel after painting it.

 

[itwonder]

I would not use the access hole method. Reason? You may be creating a crashworthiness hazard; a way for fuel to enter the cabin from a tank rupture in a rear end collision.

 

[jmpSHO]

I would not use the access hole method. Reason? You may be creating a crashworthiness hazard; a way for fuel to enter the cabin from a tank rupture in a rear end collision.

Alot of vehicles have access holes to remove the fuel pump without dropping the fuel tank, I don't see much of a difference if someone makes there own or if it comes from the factory like that.

 

[SHOtimer]

Alot of vehicles have access holes to remove the fuel pump without dropping the fuel tank, I don't see much of a difference if someone makes there own or if it comes from the factory like that.

My BMW has that, it is great!

Doug

 

[Brett]

if you do decide to drop the tank, hit the bolts with some PB blaster the day before.

 

[jimtash]

My BMW has that, it is great!

Doug

No doubt. Took me all of maybe an hour and half to change the pump including cutting the access panel and draining the tank. Forget getting underneath and unbolting it.

 

[TYSHO]

If your car isn't rusty, it takes about 30 mins to drop the tank and install a fuel pump. If your car is rusty, it takes about 5 hours, give or take. That's usually the deciding factor in cutting an access door.... or not.

Yep, 30 minutes is the maximum it has taken me to drop a tank and replace the pump with very little gas. I've also cut out an access door, which I will never do again being in Texas.

It's too easy to roll under the car with a creeper, zap two bolts with an impact, and remove the pump. I can have a new pump inside my tank before one can remove the back seat, measure out the door and cut it out.

Have fun keeping the gas fumes out the cabin area unless you pull out your wallet and find a solution to seal the access door you cut out... go ahead and light a cigarette, too.

 

[jimtash]

Yep, 30 minutes is the maximum it has taken me to drop a tank and replace the pump with very little gas. I've also cut out an access door, which I will never do again being in Texas.

It's too easy to roll under the car with a creeper, zap two bolts with an impact, and remove the pump. I can have a new pump inside my tank before one can remove the back seat, measure out the door and cut it out.

Have fun keeping the gas fumes out the cabin area unless you pull out your wallet and find a solution to seal the access door you cut out... go ahead and light a cigarette, too.

Use 3M Strip Calk to seal the access door. It's specifically made to seal gaps in automotive applications. It's what I used to seal the tail lamps with and the best part about it is that it remains flexible, water tight, and air tight. As long as you go back and paint the panel, nothing will happen.

The tank is sealed with an o-ring. There is no way for fumes to escape once the o-ring and locking ring are installed. And I smoke and the car hasn't exploded and there are no fumes present. The only time fumes were ever present is when the vapor line that goes into the vapor canister became disconnected at the firewall.

 

[Eric VerValin]

Given you live in the west, your car may not have rusted bolts holding the straps. As a pre-cautionary measure, IF you do drop the tank, get some new M10 x 1.5 bolts and new clips (just in case you break your bolts)(ask me how I know), bolts can be picked up at the dealer, for not too bad of a price. Get the new clips at Napa, then use anti-seize on the bolts. THAT IS IF YOU ARE DROPPING THE TANK. Otherwise, disregard.

Just because you tell them to get new bolts, they don't always listen do they? lol Sorry had to pick on ya a little.. lol

ANd the bolts / clips can be had at Menards or Lowes for about a dollar... why go to Napa and buy some $5 bolts? lol Just my .02

 

[boat]

Ah, its alright, everyone needs a little pickin' on sometimes to keep em' in line.

Why Napa, b/c Menards didn't have the right size for the M10 x 1.5 bolts.

Just because you tell them to get new bolts, they don't always listen do they? lol Sorry had to pick on ya a little.. lol

ANd the bolts / clips can be had at Menards or Lowes for about a dollar... why go to Napa and buy some $5 bolts? lol Just my .02