Do-it-myself fuel pump?

GonzoGirl75 · February 6, 2006

Now that I have to replace my fuel pump, is it possible to do this myself?
I have never done mechanical work, but I chatted with someone that said it'll only take about 20 minutes for an internal pump replacement.
I only have about 1/4 of a tank, so would I have to drain the tank and lose that gas????
Also, any idea what the cost of an internal pump runs?
Bottom line: Just don't put myself in any hazardous conditions, due to lack of knowledge.

:thumbsup:

?
:thumbdwn: ?

DeRocha · February 6, 2006

Check out the Fuel pump threads in the explorer maint section in my sig line. Around here it cost $500+ for a shop to replace the pump... The pump can be had for <$150, but the labor can be troublesome if you've never worked on cars before.. I've removed my tank several times, the 1st time it took me several hours, the last time only $20 minutes... But you will need some equipment to get the job done... floor jack, fuel line disconnect tool, Hand pump to remove the fluid from the tank... IMO if you have mechanical experiance then you can do the job, otherwise you'll need a friend or two to help.

Ray Lobato · February 6, 2006

If this is your first time trying this, it will take you a whole lot longer than 20 minutes. Please don't plan on doing this all by yourself, have a couple of friends help you out.
Like DeRocha said, check out all the threads about fuel pumps before you even atempt to tackle this.
Good Luck.

Lazzman · February 6, 2006

A Motorcraft Fuel pump can be had for around $275- the thing is I read that it must be put in very carefully as it contains a float that can damage easily.

DeRocha · February 7, 2006

Lazzman said:
A Motorcraft Fuel pump can be had for around $275- the thing is I read that it must be put in very carefully as it contains a float that can damage easily.

Once the tank is dropped and the fuel pump removed the job is a piece of cake. IMO installing a new pump is the easiest part of the job (dropping the tank , removing the fuel lines are the hardest parts. The float can be damaged, but it is very unlikely unless your re-using the sending unit and just replacing the pump. Replacing just the pump requies you to slightly manhandle the sending unit assembly to remove the old pump and install the new which could cause problems with the float. I would recommend rempacing the whole assembly at the same time since its cheap $$ for a part that may fail down the road (The tubes are zinc plated steel (as opposed to the stainless steel OEM lines on the vehicle) and will rust out over time).

The fuel pump (englarged pic on the left) is $62 and the whole assembly (right) ranges from $115 - $152 from Advanced Auto Parts

GonzoGirl75 · February 7, 2006

Thanks for all the input on me doing this myself. I have finally wrangled someone to come over and look at this with me and we're gonna decide today about 5pm if it looks do-able or not.
With all your input, I think I will be able to handle the task. Plus I have taken your advice and read numerous threads in these forums about fuel pumps.

I do have an additional question - Can I rent the following tools from an auto parts store? And what about that EEC test machine, is that rentable too?

But you will need some equipment to get the job done... floor jack, fuel line disconnect tool, Hand pump to remove the fluid from the tank

DeRocha · February 7, 2006

Different auto stores carry different rental tools. You can probably pickup the fuel line disconnect tools as a free rental from an auto parts store. (free rental, but you need to leave a deposit = to the cost of the tool). I'm not sure about the floor jack, and hand pump. You will also need a gas can (lawn mower size) to pump the gas into; As well as a basic socket set to remove the tank.

jayhawkexplorer · February 7, 2006

No shop is going to rent you a floor jack unless they're crazy. If you used it wrong or it broke and got injured or killed, they'd have themselves a nice lawsuit. You'll have to buy a jack/jackstands if you want to do that.

TeckNine4 · February 7, 2006

jayhawkexplorer said:
No shop is going to rent you a floor jack unless they're crazy. If you used it wrong or it broke and got injured or killed, they'd have themselves a nice lawsuit. You'll have to buy a jack/jackstands if you want to do that.

Good call

GonzoGirl75 · February 9, 2006

I was sold two quarter sized plastic O-ring like gadgets and told that's what I needed to disconnect my fuel lines. Is that what a fuel disconnect tool is?

spindlecone · February 9, 2006

GG
You have not the basic tools nor the knowlege to tackle this project.
Don't get me wrong, am all for DIY projects, might be best done by a shop

GonzoGirl75 · February 9, 2006

I fully agree that I shouldn't take this on myself. Luckily tho, I've found two fellas to help me.....

I was just told to get the parts and the tools prior to them arriving. And after rereading the posts about what I should have, I was questioning if I got the right supplies.

spindlecone · February 9, 2006

GonzoGirl75 said:
I fully agree that I shouldn't take this on myself. Luckily tho, I've found two fellas to help me.....

I was just told to get the parts and the tools prior to them arriving. And after rereading the posts about what I should have, I was questioning if I got the right supplies.

Your missing some parts for the project.
Pizza and beer

jayhawkexplorer · February 9, 2006

If your buddies know what they're doing, don't they have tools you could use?

GonzoGirl75 · February 9, 2006

I don't know how to ask them in Spanish. They came from a business owner friend that they work for and they're coming over after work as a favor to him. They come strait from their job site, so they have minimal tools and I can't get it towed to their garage, so they analyzed it and brought some tools, but I was told I needed a special one for fuel lines.

My spanish goes as far as spring break in Cabo, no mechanics where I was.

spindlecone · February 9, 2006

Keep us posted, hope all works out well

jayhawkexplorer · February 9, 2006

GonzoGirl75 said:
I don't know how to ask them in Spanish. They came from a business owner friend that they work for and they're coming over after work as a favor to him. They come strait from their job site, so they have minimal tools and I can't get it towed to their garage, so they analyzed it and brought some tools, but I was told I needed a special one for fuel lines.

My spanish goes as far as spring break in Cabo, no mechanics where I was.

You're braver than I would be. Having a bunch of guys who I don't know that don't even speak my language help me work on my truck - wow. Good luck!

GonzoGirl75 · February 9, 2006

Don't know if its bravery......desperation.......or between a rock and a hard place with loser friends that won't travel to help me.
He's working on it now. Its embarassing that I actually have a college degree in Modern Languages. Spanish, French and Japanese being the main three....but since it's been years since I've spoken Spanish....it just comes out French. I can understand him, just can't answer back. And I never learned automotive terms in college.

Hey....at least I understood all the sockets needed to be metric. He said Chevys are standard measures.

DeRocha · February 10, 2006

GonzoGirl75 said:
I was sold two quarter sized plastic O-ring like gadgets and told that's what I needed to disconnect my fuel lines. Is that what a fuel disconnect tool is?

Yes..Take a peek at the Fuel line and filter thread. It has lots of info and pics on how to use the tools to remove the fuel lines (they can be tricky/stubburn if you've never dealt with them before).

DeRocha · February 10, 2006

Just a thought you can always use Babble Fish to instantly type in a block of text and convert it to Spanish or various other languages. You can even copy text right off this site and and have it converted instantly ...

Do-it-myself fuel pump?

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