Fuel tank removal questions

[HoseHead]

Gotta drop the tank to change the fuel pump assembly. Got the factory manual to R&R and don't see any issues there. The problem I have is that the tank is full. I can get about 34" of siphon hose into the tank, but it stops and there's no fuel on the inserted hose end. Is there a stopper in there to prevent fuel theft? Comments?

This '90 is relatively rusty underneath. Am I going to snap the tank strap bolts?

Thanks for any advice.

Bruce

[89CougarXRStick]

Hot wire the pump so it runs on a car battery..Take the fuel line off the fuel filter and drain into tanks..Or cut a hole in the floor under the rear seat where the FP wiring is and pull the pump out that way..Then u avoid the B.S of broken tank straps..Thats what i,ve done for years on my modded cars..

[brian p]

I disconnect the fuel line at the engine to a bucket
And jump a wire at the fuel pump relay in the trunk
It will run the tank dry
Those bolts are big hard to snap should come out fine
Brian

[HoseHead]

The pump doesn't pump. I've shorted in on through the relay and it runs, but doesn't pump, even at the filter line directly from the tank. This car is almost a beater (Rust wise, it only has 125,000 km on it), so don't want to invest anything in it if possible.

I've thought about coming through the floor. Where in the floor do I go through and what tool do I use? Air grinder?

Bruce

[tattoo]

Passenger side back seat clip,about 2" to the top left.Cut a hole appox 4" with a pair of tin snips,pull the metal as you cut so you dont cut a fuel line.

I did mine the same way in June with no problems at all.

Good Luck.

23645

[MercsSC]

I've thought about coming through the floor. Where in the floor do I go through and what tool do I use? Air grinder?

if it's full won't help you cutting floor ..since pump sit low in the tank and fuel is above it ...I wouldn't worrie about breaking a stap bolt ... there pretty tough ..but will take a bit of torque ...you can try this ..undo the 4 or 5 little bolts screws ...on heat sheild covering exhaust ... buy the gastank ...and pull it out of the way ...undo/loosen the 2 rear strap bolts 13 mm I believe ..loosen front strap bolts.. don't remove .. place a floor jack and piece of wood across the bottom of the tank... near the back of the tank ..undo fuel line to filter ...take out rear strap bolts leave front bolts in... but make sure they are loose ...lower tank by jack ...now with the front strap bolts and straps still in place ...it should lower the rear of the tank and the front should be hung up on the straps ...now if you have enough height /when you jacked the rear of the car up off the ground ..the fuel pump will be close to the highest point in the tank ...on the angle ....after you have lowered ...the rear of the tank ...you maybe able to undo the pump without gas running all over the place ..and have enough room to get a screw driver and hammer in there to pop the pump out ....after wards you can get a hose in there to get the gas out ....dave

[HoseHead]

Well, I'm going in through the floor. I will photo document the operation for reference. Fire insurance is paid up.

Bruce

[91 5.0 sc]

make sure you use tin snips grinder and full tank of gas means trouble if you want a new garage by all means use a grinder :D

[ve3lt]

Hi Bruce. I had the same problem with a faulty fuel pump. I put the car on the hoist and undid the exahaust system from the centre joint below the shifter area.
Then I placed a transmission jack under the tank and undid the straps. The nice thing is the tranny jack took all the weight of the half full fuel tank. Lower slightly to disconnect lines and Bob's your Uncle...It took me about twenty five minutes to replace the tank in my car.(of course I have air tools so add a few minutes for wrench turning)
If you don't have one of these items, then try to borrow one, or do it closer to the floor and use a regular floor jack with the car on safety stands. (believe me the hoist is much easier!)

Please do NOT start cutting holes in the floor and others have suggested (sorry guys I don't believe in butchering a perfectly good floorboard)

Good luck on your project.

[HoseHead]

Ok, so me and the young fella decides today is the day we go for it. We cuts a hole in the floor, exactly where Tatto says, and there's no pump there. Just kidding!! Thanks for the pic, eh. The pump was right on the spot. Connector, lines seal ring all come out without a problem. Even the pump comes out without a hitch. Pump drips no fuel. The tank is bone dry. Gauge reads 3/4. Look in the tank again. It's still dry. Pump connector is open. gauge reads 3/4. check Tank again. Still dry. Pour 2 litres of fuel into tank. Tank has fuel now. Reinstall all the pieces 'cept for the hole. Car starts. Car runs perfect after sitting for a few months. Gauge reads E. Drive to gas bar. 30 bucks a fuel. Gauge reads 1/2. Boy's face dissappears behind grin.

Code 96 means tank is empty, dopey.
Don't trust your gauge, it's only decoration.
When you run out of gas, cut a hole in your floor.
When you spill your dopey in the Forum, no teasing allowed.

Bruce

Tom, This car is quite rotten underneath. Cutting out this hole is just providing fewer groceries for the rust.

[ALS35]

Hey Bruce;
It takes a lot of courage for you to expose yourself to serious ribbing. Let me be the first. In the aircraft maintenance game there is a thing we call the 'tap test' to determine if something is hollow. Form fist and rap on tank with knuckles. The bottom is a good surface for this test. No hole in floor required. The tank will tell you if it is empty.
HO HO HO HE HE.
Merry Christmas Bruce.
Alan

[pnyklr]

cool thats another way to do it I have to do the tank and pump on my car but I have been lazy to get it done

[HoseHead]

Actually, an hour or two of metal shaping, one could make a pretty decent removable cover. Not that you need to get to your fuel pump frequently, but a God send when you do.

Will get out the mallet tomorrow. Standby for pix.

Bruce

[axlr8r]

Heck, even I'm looking forward to those pics.....Ahh memories

[89XR7TD]

When I was looking for easier ways to change fuel pump came across this one!

The picture worked out great!!! I was going to take the seats out anyways and put racing seats so this helped me out a lot!

Tom