Re: Fuel Pump

[brett@kodak.com (Brett VanSprewenburg)]

> I'm planning on replacing the fuel pump on my '84 and would like to ask
> for a little bit of advice.
> 
> 1. How should I minimize pressure when I undo the pump? Should I unplug
> the power to the pump and run the car till I stall?
> 
> 2. How much fuel can I expect to have leak out of this sucker after I've
> pinched the line from the tank?
> 
> Any other pointers?
> 
> ~C
> 
>   Christopher Mende        ICEMT @ Iowa State Uni     
> 

Depending on how much rust is on the connections, this could be a job 
with little joy.  

The fastest way to bleed off the fuel line pressure is to undo one of the
connections at the fuel filter in the engine compartment.  Nice easy
place to get to.  Now, not all of the gas is going to come out, but at
least it won't spray at you when you open it up elsewhere.  Since you
are going to be changing the pump, now is a good time to electrically
disconnect it and tuck the wires away.  The fuel pump sits in a crazy
rubber and metal strapped together holder.  I've had to do nasty things 
to this holder in order to get a pump out in the past.  You'll see what
I mean.  I'm not sure pinching the fuel line that goes to the pump is
the best thing for that old rubber hose, if your quick you can insert
something into the end of the fuel line when you've got it disconnected
from the pump.  I've used a large metal tapered punch in the past.  I
would also be prepared to see quite a puddle of gas come out of the fuel
line after you disconnect the other side of the pump, be prepared with
a pan of some sort unless you like getting gas all over. :-)  Since you
are doing all this work, it is very important that you get a NEW fuel
pump check valve, it's the fitting on the forward facing side of the
pump.  It helps keep the engine side of the fuel line pressurized while
car is off.  Another bit of advice, the fuel lines on your car are old
and metal, which usually equates to rusty and weak.  Undo many of the
metal fuel line hold down straps that run along under the passenger 
side of the car to give yourself some 'slack' in the line to work with.
Replacing this one piece line sucks in a mighty way. :-)

Good luck!

==Brett
--
To subscribe or unsubscribe, send email to scirocco-L-request@privateI.com,
with your request (subscribe, unsubscribe) in the BODY of the message.