The fuel pump in a car pumps fuel into the car’s engine where it is directed to the fuel injection system. From here, the fuel will through a series of steps get your car running. It can be a difficult task to change the fuel pump in your car. Here are some suggestions to help you get the fuel pump in your car changed.
Park your vehicle in a level space and disconnect the positive terminal of the car battery. Do this by using a wrench to loosen the battery terminal screw.
Transfer the gas tank. To do this, open the gas tank cap and insert the siphon into the gas tank. Place the other end of the siphon into a gas can. You can buy them at any auto parts store. Be sure to follow the instructions that come with it. Make sure the gas can is large enough to hold the amount of gas in your car, because once the siphoning process starts, it won’t stop.
Put your car on two mechanic’s ramps. This will allow you to comfortably slide under the car to pull the fuel pump.
Lie down on a stretcher and slide under the back of the car until you reach the gas tank. The tank will be a large black plastic container located under the back seat of the car.
Locate the two metal bands that hold the tank in place and follow them to where they bolt to the car.
Using a socket wrench with an extension remove the screws. The gas tank will begin to drop as you remove the bolts. Since it is empty it will be light enough to lay on the ground or on the chest if the tank does not reach the floor, due to the wires.
Disconnect the fuel lines and wiring harness by pushing the white buttons on them.
Pull the gas tank out from under the car. Clean debris from the top of the tank.
Remove all the screws that hold the fuel pump to the gas tank. You’ll know it’s the fuel pump, because the top of it will be a cylinder with two tubes coming out of it.
Carefully release the fuel pump from the tank, making sure that debris doesn’t fall into the tank. Lift the pump up and check the bottom, where you will find a sack that needs to be drained. Set the pump aside. Clean the hole in the tank, scraping the edges to remove debris.
Take the new fuel pump and place it in the hole where the old pump was. Screw the new pump into place on the gas tank.
Slide the tank under the car and put it in place. Reconnect the wiring harness and the two fuel lines. Place a jack under one side of the fuel tank and go to the other side of the fuel tank to tighten the metal straps and insert the screws. Tighten them into the fuel tank.
You can add the fuel you previously removed from the tank and pour it back into your car using the container. Connect the positive terminal of the battery and drive the car off the ramps.
Tips
Have some rags handy to clean your hands when they get dirty.
Warnings
Avoid injury by taking precautions when disconnecting the positive terminal of the car battery. It is dangerous to work under a car, so use as many safety measures as possible. Ramps are generally a safer alternative to jack stands.