Auto Parts: toyota echo hatchback 2004, fuel line disconnect tool, reputable shop

Question
hi, i have a problem with my gas tank on my 2004 echo hb.i hit something on the road and it make a big hole in my gas tank. I want to know if it's a big job to put a new one? And how long do you think,it will take to change it? Because sometime , when a girl go to a repair shop...they just charge over the price! thank in advance for your answer!

Answer
Hi GG,

Good point on the when a girl goes to a shop. All of the women technicians I know would raise an eyebrow to that statement for sure. A fuel cell for your '04 vehicle is not going to be an inexpensive job. That's not to say it's a difficult job, but it will be expensive. Your fuel pump is located inside the cell and will need to be transfered to the new cell.

My advice would be to purchase an aftermarket fuel cell (normally I'd tell you used or OEM only, but with fuel cells, the dealer will beat you to death with the price of a new one and most used parts facilities or recycling facilities like Knucklebusters, can't ship you a used fuel cell and most states now prohibit used fuel cells from being sold) and take it to the shop where you are having it installed. this way you already know what it is going to cost for the parts and you'll also save the shop some time because they won't have to order and wait for the assembly to arrive. This is the only part I'd ever recommend you take to your mechanic. We don't like being told what to do.

Are they difficult to replace? No. But the fuel pump and sending unit use a special tool to unlock them. I'm just guessing, but you probably do not have a sending unit spanner wrench or the fuel line disconnect tool either.

Any reputable shop (with ASE Certified Technicians) would have your car back to you by the end of the day. The dealer will keep it for days and back-yard garages will hold onto it for probably a week trying to find out what else is wrong with it and hopefully sell you on those un-needed repairs also, much like what the dealer would try to pull.

Thanks for the question, I hope this information was helpful to you.
Fred
www.knucklebusters.us
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