Questioni need to replace fuel pump are there any special things i need to know
AnswerHi Chris,
You should first make sure that you need a pump.It is designed to only run continuously as long as the engine is operating, and if the engine stops the fuel pump stops even though you have the ignition on. This is so as to prevent fires in the event of an accident. So you only hear the fuel pump operate for a couple of seconds when you turn on the ignition switch and then it starts up again after the engine is started. It is controlled by a relay which also controls the spark coil in the same manner. So you first need to verify that the relay (called the autoshutdown relay) isn't blocking the voltage to the pump to prove that the pump is not working. One way of doing that is to measure for the voltage, or to see if there is spark when you turn over the engine with the starter motor,as an indirect method. Simply check wire at the (-) post of the spark coil and be certain that when you crank the engine you are getting 12v compared to ground (any metal surface of the engine, for example). If not, then you may not have a fuel pump problem but rather a voltage supply problem involving the ASD relay or the sensors that tell it to come "on".
The steps for removing the tank are:
release the pressure on the fuel system (probably not too important if the car has been sitting for some hours, but to do it right you need a bit of a drawing).
disconnect the battery and drain the fuel tank
remove the screws that secure the fuel filler tube to the quarter panel (the opening at the filler door)
Raise the vehicle rear as high as practical, use jack stands
You may have to remove right rear wheel to get at the fuel filler tube
Disconnect wiring and hoses from the tank. Wrap towels around fuel lines when you open them to catch gas spillage
Support the tank with a floor jack, loosen mounting straps and lower tank slightly
Remove hose from pressure relief/rollover valve (this is located on the top of the tank, near the rear edge center)
Carefully work fuel filter from tank
Remove mounting straps and lower the tank
It would be helpful to send you drawings of some of these parts.
The fuel pump is removed by rotating the lock ring counter clockwise, using a hammer and drift/punch carefully
Remove the pump, discard the old seal and inlet filter.
Use a new seal, clean the area around the opening, and install a new filter on the end of the intake suction tube.
Position the pump in the opening and again tap it back to the locked position, clockwise. Be careful not to overtighten the pump as it could leak.
When you put the tank back:
Put in on the jack
Connect hose to vapor separator/rollover valve and make sure that the vapor hose is not pinched between the tank and floor pan during installation
raise tank and fuel filler tube into position. you can use transmission fluid as a lubricant to fit the filler tube into the tank
Tighten strap nuts to 21 foot pounds of torque, remove jack, and make sure that the straps aren't twisted or bent
Connect lines, drain tube cap and electrical lines and install new hose clamps, torqued to 10 inch pounds
Lower vehicle and reinstall filler tube to quarter panel screws
Fill tank, install cap, connect battery and operate vehicle
Check for leaks at hose connections
That is the basic procedure, without figures.
Let me know if you need any more information.
Roland
