Re: [DML] Fuel Pump or Not Fuel Pump?

[Greg Zapf <x86Daddy@xxxxxxxxx>]

On 5/14/05, Marv Hein <marvhein@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Impact switch is in the proper position and cycling it did not make
> any
> difference. Contacts do not appear to be corroded.

Be sure that cycling the switch involves the little button staying up
on its own...  If you can pull it up and it falls back down, the
switch is bad (pre-recall version most likely).  I've read these can
fail either way (fuel pump runs no matter what, or fuel pump doesn't
run period - could be your problem)  It's a safety recall part and not
too expensive...  If you have a white stripe of paint on yours, it's
probably already new though.

> How do I get the darned gas out of the tank if I do need to change
> the
> pump?

I did this one while cleaning my tank and replacing various components
a few months back:
I gathered up several empty gas cans and used an el-cheapo syphon pump
from K-Mart to drain the tank...  time consuming, but got it done. 
For the very bottom of the tank, with the last of the fuel, I pushed a
couple of washers that were just the right size onto the end of the
syphon hose.  This added both weight and a "rim" to the hose, which I
was then able to wedge under the baffle clips to keep the hose opening
firmly on the bottom of the tank during the last of the syphoning.

This is a smelly, dirty job, but while you're in there, it's a good
opportunity to clean up / repair a lot of stuff.  You can ensure your
baffle is intact, and / or replace it with a new style.  You can use
some acetone and scrub some varnish off the walls of the tank if the
car sat with fuel for any lengthy periods (mine sat for a decade). 
You should also replace the fuel pump's filter (this is a filter
before the pump, right in the tank... not the main fuel filter) while
you're there.

Gloves, ventilation, non-smoking, spark caution all required.  

The job is a little time consuming, but nothing too difficult.  If you
end up replacing the pump, you'll be in here anyway, so replacing the
rubber boot and boot cap at that time are highly recommended SOP (they
deteriorate, period)... the rest is discretionary I guess.

--Greg
#2894




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