How to Replace a Fuel Pump
What tools do you need to install a fuel pump?
The tools needed to replace your fuel pump vary, depending on what type of car you have. But, in general, you will need:
- Safety glasses
- A fire extinguisher
- Wheel chocks
- A jack and jack stands
- A ratchet, various size sockets and various size wrenches
- A set of pliers and/or a hose clamp removal tool (only required on some vehicles)
- A fuel line disconnect tool (only required on some vehicles)
- Transmission jack or equivalent to support the fuel tank (sometimes a regular jack and block of wood can be substituted)
Fuel tank replacement when dropping the tank is required
The following outlines a typical in-tank fuel pump replacement and should be used for informational purposes only. Be sure to consult the factory repair manual to determine the exact procedure and safety precautions for your vehicle.
Removal
1. Put on your safety glasses and have a fire extinguisher nearby.
2. Safely raise and support the rear of the vehicle using a jack and jack stands. Set the parking brake and chock the front wheels.
3. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
4. Relieve fuel system pressure following the procedure found in the factory repair information.
5. Drain the fuel tank if it has a lot of fuel. Usually, this is done using a hand-operated pump or siphon. If you choose to leave the tank full, it will be a lot heavier and harder to balance.
6. Loosen the clamp on the fuel filler neck, then disconnect the neck from the fuel tank.
7. Support the fuel tank with a transmission jack or equivalent.
8. Remove the fuel tank strap bolts and the straps themselves.
9. Lower the tank just enough to access and disconnect the fuel hoses, electrical connections and emissions hoses.
10. Once everything is disconnected, lower the tank completely.
11. Clean the area around the pump access hole to prevent dirt and debris from entering the tank.
12. Remove the retainer ring or bolts securing the pump assembly to the tank.
13. Remove the fuel pump and seal ring from the fuel tank.
Installation
1. Compare the replacement pump to the new pump assembly to ensure a match.
2. Install the new seal ring and new pump assembly in the tank.
3. Using a transmission jack or equivalent, raise the tank just enough to reconnect the fuel hoses, electrical connections and emissions hoses.
4. Raise the tank into place.
5. Reinstall the fuel filler neck and secure it with a clamp.
6. Reinstall the fuel tank straps and torque the mounting bolts to the specification listed in the factory repair manual.
7. Safely remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle.
8. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
9. Fill the fuel tank as needed.
10. Start the vehicle and double-check your work, looking for leaks.
Fuel tank replacement when there’s a handy access cover
Replacement is quite a bit easier if you have a pump with an under-seat access cover. The following outlines a typical in-tank fuel pump replacement and should be used for informational purposes only. Be sure to consult the factory repair manual to determine the exact procedure and safety precautions for your vehicle.
Removal
1. Put on your safety glasses and have a fire extinguisher nearby.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Relieve fuel system pressure following the procedure found in the factory repair information.
4. Remove the rear seat or rear seat cushion as necessary.
5. Remove the in-floor access cover.
6. Disconnect the fuel hoses, electrical connections and emissions hoses from the pump assembly.
7. Clean the area around the pump access hole to prevent dirt and debris from entering the tank.
8. Remove the retainer ring or bolts securing the pump assembly to the tank.
9. Remove the fuel pump and seal ring from the fuel tank.
Installation
1. Compare the replacement pump to the new pump assembly to ensure a match.
2. Install the new seal ring and new pump assembly in the tank.
3. Reconnect the fuel hoses, electrical connections and emissions hoses.
4. Reinstall the in-floor access cover.
5. reinstall the rear seat or rear seat cushion as necessary.
6. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
7. Fill the fuel tank as needed.
