How to Drain Fuel from 2002 Explorer XLS

[atwaterkentsrus]

I have a 2002 Explorer XLS that has a BAD fuel pump. I have verified voltage going to it but it is dead and needs replacing. Of course, the problem is that I have a full tank of gas. I've tried many different sizes of tubing but in most cases get get about 4 ft. of hose to go in, then I hit what seems like a solid restriction. Is there some type of check valve or something that would keep you from getting a hose all the way to the tank?

 

[atwaterkentsrus]

I have a 2002 Explorer XLS that has a BAD fuel pump. I have verified voltage going to it but it is dead and needs replacing. Of course, the problem is that I have a full tank of gas. I've tried many different sizes of tubing but in most cases get get about 4 ft. of hose to go in, then I hit what seems like a solid restriction. Is there some type of check valve or something that would keep you from getting a hose all the way to the tank?

With no response, I assume there is not an easy way to drain the tank. Looks like my best choice is to cut out an access door in the floor behind the front passenger seat.

 

[Donystoy]

There is a screen at the bottom of the filler pipe where it goes into the tank that would block any access into it. Not sure if you were to suck from this point whether or not you would be able to drain the tank. Others have cut holes in the cabin floor to access the fuel pump.

 

[drdoom]

I have replaced two fuel pumps with full tanks (one Explorer one Taurus). There was nothing difficult or even challenging about it. I emptied them after dropping the tanks and removing the pump assembly using a transfer pump made from an old fuel pump of all things. I have also dropped a tank one quarter full, I found this one to be most cumbersome because of the fuel shifting from side to side.

I am saying this because a full tank is certainly not ideal, but is in no way a deterrent to accomplishing the job.

Never acquiesce to defeat. Never.

YMMV

 

[Mbrooks420]

If you pull the hose off the tank after the filler neck you should be able to
Easily siphon it.

 

[atwaterkentsrus]

Since the hose from the filler neck goes into the tank close to the center of the tank from top to bottom, if I pull the hose off, won't the top 1/3 or so of the fuel come rushing out?

 

[imp]

A full tank ~ 20 gallons has 120 pounds of gasoline in it, plus the weight of the tank itself. Not full, I found it true the sloshing around made the tank less stable. Would still like it to be near empty, though, just sayin'. imp

 

[Mbrooks420]

Pull it off the filler neck end? Or just cut an access hole and pull the sender out the top, as you mentioned before.

 

[atwaterkentsrus]

Thanks,
I'm going the access hole route.

 

[ptf18]

Don't cut a hole..... Why "hack up" you S/T when you can lower the tank , disconnect any of the fuel lines and siphon out the fuel? Put a big board under the tank, use a wheeled jack to lower the tank to remove the hoses.

 

[Mbrooks420]

There’s nothing wrong with an access hole. If done correctly it hurts nothing, and makes any work 10 times easier in the future.

Plus, you could easily pull a pump anywhere with minimal tools after.

 

[ptf18]

Mbrooks... You are correct and its a shame that FORD didn't provide that access for us. The couple home-made access "holes" I have seen have left ALOT IMHO to be desired when it came to being done "correctly."

On the other hand if getting to the pump is the ONLY objective then the the couple hack jobs Ive seen did exactly what the then owner wanted them to do.