I want to thank you personally for this video! I've been putting off changing the pump for months, didn't feel confident in my ability to do it. I randomly stumbled on this video today. Watched it 3 times, took notes, and then went out and did the job, following what I learned here. Was a piece of cake! Didn't even need to change the wiring. I know you won't see this comment, but hopefully others will gain confidence from reading it. Thanks again!! :-) ~Rick~
Great video Eric, well done. I had to do one of these not too long ago, it was a 99 Mercury Sable, but pretty much the same. I could tell where the pump sat in the tank, so I went directly above it, scored a square in the floor pan under the back seat, the cut it on 3 side and lightly cut the 4th side so it opend up like a door. Pump came out, replaced electric pump, and then droped it back in. Secured it with gorrilla tape around the edge, and it went back together.
Deffently a very helpfull video! The fuel pump quit and we had to order one from California (came in today); so I pulled up the video again and watched it. The kit was the just about the same and WOW, no issues. Thank you for posting this. It helped alot.
Even though I elected to have my mechanic do this work, this video was valuable in showing me just how much work is involved in making this repair. This is one of the best DIY videos I have encountered on RUclips. Thanks Eric!
eric -you're the best. my wife and i were shopping-store to store in our 2001 taurus and i left her at her store and i went to mine,got back to the car and nothing.. 5 or 6 tries and had to call her and say it's not getting gas...long story short-called AAA-half hour later towed to my mech. he said to leave it..next day got it ($485.) i told him i saw it with etcg on you tube and he said he watches you too!!! wow
WOW Eric.. great video! I like the fact that you're on the floor (where I end up) and you don't use all sorts of high tech stuff to do this job.. nor do you have the back end of the car all torn apart so all you have to do is, walk in, pop some fasteners, etc. Thanks for a great video and for your time in making it... much appreciated.
On my 1999 Opel Vectra, the fuel pump is dying slowly or a hose loses the fuel pressure already inside the tank (pump is built into the tank). I hope it is just the hose, otherwise i'd look for a used fuel pump in good condition. and i watch this video made by Eric to motivate myself in a way and get important information to not blow up the whole works and get the job done safely. Great videos as always, Eric, keep it up!
Just in the name of safety, when removing the ring that holds the fuel pump assembly in place in the fuel tank, you should always use a brass punch if the ring is metal (you will have plastic if the tank is plastic, hitting this with anything will not cause a problem). The reason for using brass is to avoid creating sparks when hitting metal on metal, thus causing a fire and possibly an explosion. Otherwise great video Eric! Your a legend!
I am glad that I saw this video and will remember how the fuel pump was replaced when a friend and I get ready to do it. I noticed that you had to use jack stands to hold the tank, which is a good idea, and I will also try to get the hoses connected back up properly also while the tank is down.
THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS!!!! When the weather begins to cooperate for me I am going to replace the fuel pump for my 87 200sx and I am glad to see a good general guide on how to do one. Thanks for having a super informative channel you are great.
Thanks Eric you just showed me what I'm up against on my 2001 ford taurus....that pos left me stranded at work in the cold. Had to get a ride home. awsome video
Best video I've ever seen showing how to replace a fuel pump. Next time you do one, can you do a video showing how to diagnose a fuel pump failure, so that we don't mess up and replace a good pump? Seems like diagnosis is the hardest part, for amateurs....
Excellent work, because you are alone. Great conections and recomendations.Thanks Eric. I will try same work in a Mercury Sable 1997, Best regards from México, city Eric and again thanks.
Great series you have going on bro.... Very helpful for those of us who are not full fledge mechanics but enjoy having a reason to stay in the shop instead of at the house and save money to boot! Thanks...
Thanks for the video!! I have been putting off dropping my tank on my 98 F150, even though I have read on how to do it things really come together when you can see it done. Also the test your fuel pump video was excellent as well!
Great video. Very helpful. Gives everyday people without the "know-how" the insight and confidence to tackle a job they would otherwise get ripped off for at the shop. You should link your other video of how to troubleshoot a fuel pump for people to view first (at least I didnt see a link). Thanks.
Really good video. Thanks for taking the time to put it up for me and everyone else. It's always nice to find videos and information that help us solve problems.
tip: use masking tape to keep the lines above the tank in the channel of the tank so you dont have to worry about pinching. also before you start the job disconnect the fuel shut off in the right rear trunk compartment and run the car till it stops( a few seconds is all it takes to run out) this depressurizes the system (no leaking fuel filter and lines and such. great job! love your vids.
This is my favorite Ericthecarguy video why you may ask this was the first video of his I ever watched now I watch his videos every Friday right on Eric your videos are awesome can't wait for more new videos
Hello Eric. I think I'm safe to say that this was one of the best videos of yours so far. You were very informative, you described every step, you commented on stuff, how you were thinking, what which one of the things are and you used very good camera angles. Thumbs up. Keep on rollin, Eric. Best regards.
God, I wish my stupid 1999 escort had the damn fuel filter in that spot. Mine was at the front on the fire wall, so buried by the engine block and everything. It took forever to change. This set up is almost like mine, I thank you for showing it. You convinced me to wait for my son's friend and NOT attempt to do this with me and my son. I will keep checking back to watch your videos. Your awesome.
Believe me yours is way easier than having to take down the fuel tank. I changed my 1997 ford escort wagon and found it rather easy. But thats just me.
thanks for showing the reassembly. a lot of books and videos just say reverse of what you did and it's often not as easy as that and really helpful to see all the parts you need to remember to put back together.
Great video, but I would suggest using a few pieces of additional equipment for safety reasons. You made several great recommendations to reduce the risk of fire such as unplugging your electric heater, not smoking, etc. However, there was one glaring omission which I found troubling. While you are correct that it isn't necessary to purchase a fuel pump removal kit, and you can remove the pump bracket with a chisel, you still run the risk of creating sparks. One quick tip you might want to use is to wrap the tip of the chisel. I've had several vehicles I replaced fuel pumps on and I don't use a brass chisel, but rather a steel chisel with the tip wrapped in a clean shop rag or two. The metal won't punch through the cloth, usually, and prevents sparks. Unfortunately I learned this lesson the hard way and accidentally set a fuel tank on fire with a steel chisel. Nothing quite as scary as a bury fuel tank in your driveway and several pissed off firefighters. Not to mention a very angry wife...
as a senior master ase tech, you are a very good mechanic,only one suggestion,keep that 115volt drop light away from any close up tank repair,other than that,i'd hire you in a minute--very informative young man
Excellent video Eric. I have done this repair many times and I have to give you credit for doing it by yourself. Not an easy task of getting the tank back in the vehicle by yourself. Great job and Good information.
It's videos like this that make me really glad I have a Hyundai. It's 2 bolts for the back seat, and 8 bolts for the assembly. Comes apart very easy. I had to drop the big 110L tank on a 1996 Tahor and that SUCKED!
Three comments on one video, I am on a role! Just wanted to say I am so very glad that I have an old ute, fuel filter is simply mounted to the firewall.
Love The Way You Started Calling The Black Wires "Ground"; As A Public Figure It's Best To Be Mindful. ////// Calling Black "Negative" (Although It Is Usually), Causes Problems. 10/10
Just came upon this video. It is great! I have a '90 Taurus wagon; will it be about the same? Your video gave my husband and I confidence that we can do this so thank you for making this video.
You'll have noticed that Eric says he did not diagnose the "faulty" fuel pump himself. I replaced the pump on my 1998 Mercury Sable. Process was exactly as Eric describes, with one major exception. Once the tank is lowered, an electric plug containing eight small pins is exposed. Once the halves of the plug are separated, the circuit from the plug to the pump can be checked directly with a battery. CARE...Sparks! The actual live pin for the pump was found to have some corrosion and the circuit wouldn't complete until I had scraped the corrosion off it and the other pins with the point of a swiss file. A nail file would work as well. The circuit then worked and so did the original pump; this could have been the problem all the time! The old pump worked fine on the bench, but wasn't under fuel delivery load. I installed the new pump anyway, Denso, same as Eric's, and it's all worked fine since. Recommend to check out that plug and its pins anyway. You don't want to do all that work and find that for the sake of five minutes extra work you haven't cured your fuel delivery problem. (Retired certified mechanic, Ontario and UK)
+John Ferguson True, but whoever diagnosed it did not check the thing that Tony just mentioned. How do I know? Because she would have had to drop the tank to do that. And no mechanic would go that far in diagnosing it, and not go the "little bit further" of fixing the problem.
a good tip to prevent burning out the fuel pump is change the fuel filter often to prevent the pump from over working and keep a half to full tank of gas as as much as possable. when pump is submerged in fuel it keeps it running cool also if a car sits a long time with low fuel the pump is dry and is more apt to lock up
A Small block of wood (2+ feet) between the jack and tank really helps when putting the tank back in. It also helps when removing by move evenly distributing the weight, my tank came down very straight and went right back up.
Man... that car is clean for the year. The 98 Sable I had... Removing that fuel filter was not that easy. Everything was rusted, including the bracket... What a pain.
@panzerveps Tauruses now have an access cover under the back seat. I think we started doing that after we brought the Taurus back. Heck I remember doing the assembly operation that hooks up the 3 electrical connectors to the fuel pump and putting the cover in place for a few weeks. I've seen mods involving creating this access cover on these older Tauruses.
Excelent video !!! When you are down in there is when you ask how much money did ford save when they didnt provide this car with an inspection lid below the rear seats !!! PS: You forgot to disconnect the battery, #1 security item when working with gas. Cheers.
Just as a note on the older Volvos there is an external and internal fuel pump. The external pump is next to the filter which are both on an assembly under the car.
Awesome video! I have a 1995 Taurus SHO and did this exact same job recently. I also prefer to (1) change the "sock" filter on a new pump (2) get a new tank seal and lock ring. Just sayin'.
Nice video Eric. When I dropped my tank, I made a wood block attachment for the jack. I drilled a recessed hole into a 14" length of 2x12 and bolted it to the jack arm after removing the saddle. It worked like a charm for balancing the tank, which is what makes this a difficult one man job. I got a question for you. You ever had the fuel gauge start reading wrong after changing the pump assembly out? Full tank now reads 7/8ths.
Thanks, this video helped me out a lot! I appreciate the time you take to film while repairing a fairly difficult problem. I also think you deserve a lift. :-)
@pippaengroda I do get where you're going. It's actually a fairly common mod to shift the location of the fuel pump assembly from inside the tank to under the seat. It's fairly complex, and it involves welding and such - which you don't do when gas is involved! If you wan to do that while replacing the pump - that's fine, but it's not something you just 'do' in common replacement practice.
You don't have to disconnect the fuel lines from the tank, disconnect them from the fuel filter and then disconnect the return from the little fork junction by the vent tube fitting, the first line he disconnected with the clip. It's so much easier when you need to get it back in. Just an FYI.
I find with solder-less joints, strip both wires back quite a lot, then twist them around each other, then fold the twisted section back and secure. Soldering is really the way to go though, and not difficult, sometimes you can do both for a really strong connection. Might have to give everything a bath first in soapy water to get the gas off if you solder though, as you mentioned it could be hazardous otherwise.
Thanks Eric! Looks like the same operation for the Taurus as my Ford Excursion, and guess what ive gotta replace? hmm?Huh? Oh happy happy joy joy lucky me yeup you guessed it the fuel pump! Tell him what he has won Johnny........a lifetime supply of rubber gloves and hand cleaner Kevin..... Thanks for playing along at home until next time Thanks Eric!
I remember when fuel pumps were not installed inside the fuel tank. Those were good days. I like the idea of cutting an access hole above the fuel pump. Could this really give you enough room? 2000 Ford Taurus Wagon. 150,000 miles. I just filled up with gas. Two days later, no start. That will be a heavy tank. Should I siphon it out? Yikes, what a job. Thanks for the video.
Great vid as usual,would have liked to get a better view of those fuel line retainer clips to see how you would get them off without breaking off one side of the tab. I look forward to seeing you get a hoist, my back hurts just watching LOL !!!!
I wonder if there's a floor jack manufacturer that makes a jack where the disk like contact pad can be inter-changed to mount a cradle like you would see on a motorcycle or tranny jack? would be perfect for a job like this to hold up that gas tank. Great video Eric!
I did this, in my driveway, to a 2000 Pontiac Montana I used to own, except that I replaced the entire fuel pump assembly. Talk to me, please, about static electricity: Were you much concerned that a static spark would ignite the fumes? Or, are the chances of that happening pretty remote? I would also like to know how hard it would have been to test the pump & your connections, prior to reinstalling the tank. Obviously, I guess if there were any safe, easy way to do that, you would have done so, right? To anyone contemplating doing this job, I would urge you to assume there will be a fire, rather than assuming there won't be. Many a man has been horribly burned doing this very repair. Get the garden hose, etc., etc. ready BEFORE you begin this job. By the way, I LOVE your channel, and watch it a lot, in my free time. You are awesome!
Questions on this: 1) Once the tank is dropped, should the gas tank be drained? 2) When removing the retaining ring on the top of the tank, should a brass punch be used to prevent sparking? 3) Is it okay to test the pump on the car by hooking it up to the electrical connector before the tank is installed? Thanks...
Eric hello ! I am a big fan of yours and I have learned much from you ! I own a Nissan Primera 1996 Hatchback and a Fiat Punto Mk2 2002 . I dont know about Fords but on these 2 cars when I remove the back seat, I gain easy access to the Fuel pump after removing 3 screws on the top of the tank. Both cars are DIESEL's. Ford sucks if they havent implemented that easy access point. nevertheless good job !
@Antiks72 We got some pretty dumb solutions on VAG cars as well. EGR cooler for example.. On the golf mk5/6 and Audi A3 they put it between the engine and the firewall. We change a lot of them, and it can take up to 7-8 hours to change it. It's the same job to check it for faults, as changing it... Gotta love 5 years warranty...
Keeping the pump in the tank keeps the pump cool since it is submersed in fuel, and keeping it at the lowest point in the fuel system allows it to be gravity feed which keeps the pump pulling in fuel vapor which can damage the pump by causing it to lose lubrication while it's pumping. If the pump were mounted away from the tank it would have to pull fuel through a feed line by creating a low pressure and fuel that is under a vacuum can easily vaporize in the line and cause damage to the pump.
Good job Eric.... Question?? So we don't have to change the whole assembly ( the fuel pump) because you just did it the little thing which is the fuel pump..... because my friend did put the whole assembly...... and we got to ordered to the store just the little thing.....with out the assembly? and what's the difference..... thanks again & you have a good videos w/ good explanation...... keep up....thank you!
I used to have a 1999 Ford Taurus worked great till 250,000 miles the trans started acting up. Than for fun I backed it into a tree, Than I jumped it off a 4 foot drop off. It never ran the same after that. :-) now it sits in my barn for the last 2 years.
Why didn't you replace the fuel pump sock filter? The restriction from the old one may have contributed to the failure of the original pump? That is the only thing I could find wrong with an otherwise excellent tutorial. Your videos are quite helpful and quite detailed.
this is addressed to Eric the Fuel Guy ..I have a 1994 ford Station wagon, V6, 4Ltr and recently had the fuel pump replaced. I don't travel very far, just the local shopping centre, doctors, hotel etc. and most of the things I do are no more than approx 5-10 minutes away. I am just wondering, whether the job shown in the video is the same as it would be for my vehicle
To add to my previous comment, even if the tank is plastic with a plastic ring. You should still use a rubber hammer to hit on the chisel or use the brass punch as hammering with a metal hammer could still create a spark.
I can give you 2 reasons. 1- electric fuel pumps work by "pushing" fuel, not "pulling" it. Therefore it needs to be as far back as possible to work. 2- having it inside the tank keeps the pump cool as the fuel cools the pump itself- giving it longer life. It could be mounted outside, but will have a shorter product life. Pumps are not intended to be a regular replacement item. If it were they would engineer it for easier access.
@QuietstormRising I hope Eric can answer this but supposedly its very hard to ignite the fuel from an exposed connector on the fuel pump - My stock R33 Nissan Skyline didn't have any "dressings" on the in-tank fuel pump connectors either
I want to thank you personally for this video! I've been putting off changing the pump for months, didn't feel confident in my ability to do it.
I randomly stumbled on this video today. Watched it 3 times, took notes, and then went out and did the job, following what I learned here. Was a piece of cake! Didn't even need to change the wiring.
I know you won't see this comment, but hopefully others will gain confidence from reading it.
Thanks again!! :-)
~Rick~
Great video Eric, well done. I had to do one of these not too long ago, it was a 99 Mercury Sable, but pretty much the same. I could tell where the pump sat in the tank, so I went directly above it, scored a square in the floor pan under the back seat, the cut it on 3 side and lightly cut the 4th side so it opend up like a door. Pump came out, replaced electric pump, and then droped it back in. Secured it with gorrilla tape around the edge, and it went back together.
thank you Eric for teaching me how to change the fuel pump It is so great that people like you take the time to do a step by step lesion. thank you.
Deffently a very helpfull video! The fuel pump quit and we had to order one from California (came in today); so I pulled up the video again and watched it. The kit was the just about the same and WOW, no issues. Thank you for posting this. It helped alot.
Even though I elected to have my mechanic do this work, this video was valuable in showing me just how much work is involved in making this repair. This is one of the best DIY videos I have encountered on RUclips. Thanks Eric!
I like how you include year and model of the car in the title. Please do keep that format.
eric -you're the best. my wife and i were shopping-store to store in our 2001 taurus and i left her at her store and i went to mine,got back to the car and nothing.. 5 or 6 tries and had to call her and say it's not getting gas...long story short-called AAA-half hour later towed to my mech. he said to leave it..next day got it ($485.)
i told him i saw it with etcg on you tube and he said he watches you too!!! wow
WOW Eric.. great video! I like the fact that you're on the floor (where I end up) and you don't use all sorts of high tech stuff to do this job.. nor do you have the back end of the car all torn apart so all you have to do is, walk in, pop some fasteners, etc. Thanks for a great video and for your time in making it... much appreciated.
Who Eric? He works on everything... he used to be a Honda / Acura Master Tech or something like it. He is the man.
On my 1999 Opel Vectra, the fuel pump is dying slowly or a hose loses the fuel pressure already inside the tank (pump is built into the tank). I hope it is just the hose, otherwise i'd look for a used fuel pump in good condition. and i watch this video made by Eric to motivate myself in a way and get important information to not blow up the whole works and get the job done safely. Great videos as always, Eric, keep it up!
Just in the name of safety, when removing the ring that holds the fuel pump assembly in place in the fuel tank, you should always use a brass punch if the ring is metal (you will have plastic if the tank is plastic, hitting this with anything will not cause a problem). The reason for using brass is to avoid creating sparks when hitting metal on metal, thus causing a fire and possibly an explosion. Otherwise great video Eric! Your a legend!
Wow the old garage!!! I thought what the heck but you explained !
great job Eric!
I am glad that I saw this video and will remember how the fuel pump was replaced when a friend and I get ready to do it. I noticed that you had to use jack stands to hold the tank, which is a good idea, and I will also try to get the hoses connected back up properly also while the tank is down.
I'm loving the older vid, kinda miss the old shop watching this.
Thanks for putting this up Eric.
THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS!!!! When the weather begins to cooperate for me I am going to replace the fuel pump for my 87 200sx and I am glad to see a good general guide on how to do one. Thanks for having a super informative channel you are great.
Thanks Eric you just showed me what I'm up against on my 2001 ford taurus....that pos left me stranded at work in the cold. Had to get a ride home. awsome video
Best video I've ever seen showing how to replace a fuel pump. Next time you do one, can you do a video showing how to diagnose a fuel pump failure, so that we don't mess up and replace a good pump? Seems like diagnosis is the hardest part, for amateurs....
Hey, thanks a lot Eric The Car Guy! I have a hole in the tank of my 1999 Taurus. You made dropping the tank a breeze for me! Thank you so much!
Excellent work, because you are alone. Great conections and recomendations.Thanks Eric. I will try same work in a Mercury Sable 1997, Best regards from México, city Eric and again thanks.
Great series you have going on bro.... Very helpful for those of us who are not full fledge mechanics but enjoy having a reason to stay in the shop instead of at the house and save money to boot! Thanks...
ive done this job a handful of times and its a big pain in the ass! great video as always!
In the middle of doing my 99 taurus pump. This video was awesome in preparing myself. Thank you!
Thanks. This helped me and gave me the confidence to change the pump on my 2001 Taurus. Mission accomplished
Thanks for the video!! I have been putting off dropping my tank on my 98 F150, even though I have read on how to do it things really come together when you can see it done. Also the test your fuel pump video was excellent as well!
Great video. Very helpful. Gives everyday people without the "know-how" the insight and confidence to tackle a job they would otherwise get ripped off for at the shop. You should link your other video of how to troubleshoot a fuel pump for people to view first (at least I didnt see a link). Thanks.
Really good video. Thanks for taking the time to put it up for me and everyone else. It's always nice to find videos and information that help us solve problems.
tip: use masking tape to keep the lines above the tank in the channel of the tank so you dont have to worry about pinching. also before you start the job disconnect the fuel shut off in the right rear trunk compartment and run the car till it stops( a few seconds is all it takes to run out) this depressurizes the system (no leaking fuel filter and lines and such. great job! love your vids.
This is my favorite Ericthecarguy video why you may ask this was the first video of his I ever watched now I watch his videos every Friday right on Eric your videos are awesome can't wait for more new videos
Hello Eric.
I think I'm safe to say that this was one of the best videos of yours so far. You were very informative, you described every step, you commented on stuff, how you were thinking, what which one of the things are and you used very good camera angles.
Thumbs up.
Keep on rollin, Eric.
Best regards.
God, I wish my stupid 1999 escort had the damn fuel filter in that spot. Mine was at the front on the fire wall, so buried by the engine block and everything. It took forever to change. This set up is almost like mine, I thank you for showing it. You convinced me to wait for my son's friend and NOT attempt to do this with me and my son. I will keep checking back to watch your videos. Your awesome.
Believe me yours is way easier than having to take down the fuel tank. I changed my 1997 ford escort wagon and found it rather easy. But thats just me.
Awesome as always Eric. People that attempt this should remember to use an explosion rated trouble light to prevent a fire. Good job!
thanks for showing the reassembly. a lot of books and videos just say reverse of what you did and it's often not as easy as that and really helpful to see all the parts you need to remember to put back together.
man thats gotta feel good to hear the engine run after that. love this series!
Great video, but I would suggest using a few pieces of additional equipment for safety reasons. You made several great recommendations to reduce the risk of fire such as unplugging your electric heater, not smoking, etc. However, there was one glaring omission which I found troubling. While you are correct that it isn't necessary to purchase a fuel pump removal kit, and you can remove the pump bracket with a chisel, you still run the risk of creating sparks. One quick tip you might want to use is to wrap the tip of the chisel. I've had several vehicles I replaced fuel pumps on and I don't use a brass chisel, but rather a steel chisel with the tip wrapped in a clean shop rag or two. The metal won't punch through the cloth, usually, and prevents sparks. Unfortunately I learned this lesson the hard way and accidentally set a fuel tank on fire with a steel chisel. Nothing quite as scary as a bury fuel tank in your driveway and several pissed off firefighters. Not to mention a very angry wife...
VERY GOOD TIP!!!! EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS . THANK YOU !
I just finished doin a fuel pump change on 01 mercury sable. What a job. Was very difficult. Yet my daughter loves me so much.
as a senior master ase tech, you are a very good mechanic,only one suggestion,keep that 115volt drop light away from any close up tank repair,other than that,i'd hire you in a minute--very informative young man
Excellent video Eric. I have done this repair many times and I have to give you credit for doing it by yourself. Not an easy task of getting the tank back in the vehicle by yourself. Great job and Good information.
It's videos like this that make me really glad I have a Hyundai. It's 2 bolts for the back seat, and 8 bolts for the assembly. Comes apart very easy. I had to drop the big 110L tank on a 1996 Tahor and that SUCKED!
Very Helpful video, and well done. I appreciate the effort, and time you have taken to help other people with saving money,
thank you for making this video... I am going to be doing this to my truck very soon. this info really help.
Thank you heaps Eric, this video has saved me $300.
Much appreciation from Australia
Thanks for the video Eric. This was spot on to change the Fuel Pump in my daughter's 2002 Sable.
Three comments on one video, I am on a role! Just wanted to say I am so very glad that I have an old ute, fuel filter is simply mounted to the firewall.
Love The Way You Started Calling The Black Wires "Ground"; As A Public Figure It's Best To Be Mindful. //////
Calling Black "Negative" (Although It Is Usually), Causes Problems.
10/10
Just came upon this video. It is great! I have a '90 Taurus wagon; will it be about the same? Your video gave my husband and I confidence that we can do this so thank you for making this video.
You'll have noticed that Eric says he did not diagnose the "faulty" fuel pump himself. I replaced the pump on my 1998 Mercury Sable. Process was exactly as Eric describes, with one major exception. Once the tank is lowered, an electric plug containing eight small pins is exposed. Once the halves of the plug are separated, the circuit from the plug to the pump can be checked directly with a battery. CARE...Sparks! The actual live pin for the pump was found to have some corrosion and the circuit wouldn't complete until I had scraped the corrosion off it and the other pins with the point of a swiss file. A nail file would work as well. The circuit then worked and so did the original pump; this could have been the problem all the time! The old pump worked fine on the bench, but wasn't under fuel delivery load. I installed the new pump anyway, Denso, same as Eric's, and it's all worked fine since. Recommend to check out that plug and its pins anyway. You don't want to do all that work and find that for the sake of five minutes extra work you haven't cured your fuel delivery problem. (Retired certified mechanic, Ontario and UK)
+Tony Quance The diagnosis was done by someone else. The customer told Eric to put in a new pump and he did.
+John Ferguson True, but whoever diagnosed it did not check the thing that Tony just mentioned. How do I know? Because she would have had to drop the tank to do that. And no mechanic would go that far in diagnosing it, and not go the "little bit further" of fixing the problem.
Hey Eric ,,if I were you, I'll empty the tank from the fuel before re- install it ...but as always you doing great job buddy ..keep it up and SD
a good tip to prevent burning out the fuel pump is change the fuel filter often to prevent the pump from over working and keep a half to full tank of gas as as much as possable. when pump is submerged in fuel it keeps it running cool also if a car sits a long time with low fuel the pump is dry and is more apt to lock up
Thanks for the video. It was a life saver doing the fuel pump on my daughter's 03 taurus.
A Small block of wood (2+ feet) between the jack and tank really helps when putting the tank back in. It also helps when removing by move evenly distributing the weight, my tank came down very straight and went right back up.
Man... that car is clean for the year. The 98 Sable I had... Removing that fuel filter was not that easy. Everything was rusted, including the bracket... What a pain.
"if you put a hot soldering iron next to gasoline, uh, it could make a fire, and im just not in the mood for that right now" BEST QUOTE EVER! haha
@panzerveps Tauruses now have an access cover under the back seat. I think we started doing that after we brought the Taurus back. Heck I remember doing the assembly operation that hooks up the 3 electrical connectors to the fuel pump and putting the cover in place for a few weeks.
I've seen mods involving creating this access cover on these older Tauruses.
Excelent video !!! When you are down in there is when you ask how much money did ford save when they didnt provide this car with an inspection lid below the rear seats !!!
PS: You forgot to disconnect the battery, #1 security item when working with gas.
Cheers.
I have to replace my fuel tank. This is a great help. Thanks!
That's a big job, you did it well, and I work alone too, less arguing that way!!!
this video was great man, i am considering doing it myself now instead of paying the mech. $500. thanks for the info.
Spelunkerd, Eric has a video showing how to diagnose a fuel pump, under his playlist, fuel and emission
Just finished this job on a 03 sable. Basically the same car. Super easy, as long as there isn't gas in the tank.
Just as a note on the older Volvos there is an external and internal fuel pump. The external pump is next to the filter which are both on an assembly under the car.
Awesome video! I have a 1995 Taurus SHO and did this exact same job recently. I also prefer to (1) change the "sock" filter on a new pump (2) get a new tank seal and lock ring. Just sayin'.
Nice video Eric. When I dropped my tank, I made a wood block attachment for the jack. I drilled a recessed hole into a 14" length of 2x12 and bolted it to the jack arm after removing the saddle. It worked like a charm for balancing the tank, which is what makes this a difficult one man job.
I got a question for you. You ever had the fuel gauge start reading wrong after changing the pump assembly out? Full tank now reads 7/8ths.
CRISTAL CLEAR ONCE AGAIN( INDUCTION COMPRETION POWER AND ERIC THE MAN)
This is something they do on old VWs, the fuel pump is mounted to the block near the oil filter, it's a great idea!
Thanks, this video helped me out a lot! I appreciate the time you take to film while repairing a fairly difficult problem. I also think you deserve a lift. :-)
I've done same job on same car as well as many others Honda's Jetta Nissan and more and I always soldier it. Never a single problem.
@pippaengroda I do get where you're going. It's actually a fairly common mod to shift the location of the fuel pump assembly from inside the tank to under the seat. It's fairly complex, and it involves welding and such - which you don't do when gas is involved!
If you wan to do that while replacing the pump - that's fine, but it's not something you just 'do' in common replacement practice.
25 mins damn Eric you are the BOSS
To: Eric
Thanks for the videos! How long does it take to change a fule pump and do all that you did when you did this video ?
Thank you for those good videos that helps a lot
You don't have to disconnect the fuel lines from the tank, disconnect them from the fuel filter and then disconnect the return from the little fork junction by the vent tube fitting, the first line he disconnected with the clip. It's so much easier when you need to get it back in. Just an FYI.
I find with solder-less joints, strip both wires back quite a lot, then twist them around each other, then fold the twisted section back and secure. Soldering is really the way to go though, and not difficult, sometimes you can do both for a really strong connection. Might have to give everything a bath first in soapy water to get the gas off if you solder though, as you mentioned it could be hazardous otherwise.
Thanks Eric! Looks like the same operation for the Taurus as my Ford Excursion, and guess what ive gotta replace? hmm?Huh? Oh happy happy joy joy lucky me yeup you guessed it the fuel pump! Tell him what he has won Johnny........a lifetime supply of rubber gloves and hand cleaner Kevin..... Thanks for playing along at home until next time Thanks Eric!
I remember when fuel pumps were not installed inside the fuel tank. Those were good days. I like the idea of cutting an access hole above the fuel pump. Could this really give you enough room? 2000 Ford Taurus Wagon. 150,000 miles. I just filled up with gas. Two days later, no start. That will be a heavy tank. Should I siphon it out? Yikes, what a job. Thanks for the video.
Thank you for this, there’s a tank upgrade for the 99 Taurus, an 18 gallon tank and replacing it the 16 for the 18
Very useful! Now its time for me to give it a go!
It looks like a vintage Thunderbird parked in the back of the garage too. Sweet Ride indeed!
Great vid as usual,would have liked to get a better view of those fuel line retainer clips to see how you would get them off without breaking off one side of the tab. I look forward to seeing you get a hoist, my back hurts just watching LOL !!!!
I wonder if there's a floor jack manufacturer that makes a jack where the disk like contact pad can be inter-changed to mount a cradle like you would see on a motorcycle or tranny jack? would be perfect for a job like this to hold up that gas tank. Great video Eric!
Thanks Eric! Im now ready to go replaCE THe fuel pump and fuel filter in my 87 Porsche 944.
Thanks I understand the process and it was explained in a short but detailed description.
I did this, in my driveway, to a 2000 Pontiac Montana I used to own, except that I replaced the entire fuel pump assembly. Talk to me, please, about static electricity: Were you much concerned that a static spark would ignite the fumes? Or, are the chances of that happening pretty remote? I would also like to know how hard it would have been to test the pump & your connections, prior to reinstalling the tank. Obviously, I guess if there were any safe, easy way to do that, you would have done so, right? To anyone contemplating doing this job, I would urge you to assume there will be a fire, rather than assuming there won't be. Many a man has been horribly burned doing this very repair. Get the garden hose, etc., etc. ready BEFORE you begin this job. By the way, I LOVE your channel, and watch it a lot, in my free time. You are awesome!
Everyone remember to use a brass punch on the snap ring for the fuel pump so there is no spark.
Peter B. Or a chunk of wood
Couldn't agree more I cringed when he used a steel punch.
@@Kevin-uq4uh Ok Sparkie!
Questions on this: 1) Once the tank is dropped, should the gas tank be drained? 2) When removing the retaining ring on the top of the tank, should a brass punch be used to prevent sparking? 3) Is it okay to test the pump on the car by hooking it up to the electrical connector before the tank is installed? Thanks...
Eric hello ! I am a big fan of yours and I have learned much from you ! I own a Nissan Primera 1996 Hatchback and a Fiat Punto Mk2 2002 . I dont know about Fords but on these 2 cars when I remove the back seat, I gain easy access to the Fuel pump after removing 3 screws on the top of the tank. Both cars are DIESEL's. Ford sucks if they havent implemented that easy access point. nevertheless good job !
@Antiks72 We got some pretty dumb solutions on VAG cars as well. EGR cooler for example.. On the golf mk5/6 and Audi A3 they put it between the engine and the firewall.
We change a lot of them, and it can take up to 7-8 hours to change it. It's the same job to check it for faults, as changing it... Gotta love 5 years warranty...
Keeping the pump in the tank keeps the pump cool since it is submersed in fuel, and keeping it at the lowest point in the fuel system allows it to be gravity feed which keeps the pump pulling in fuel vapor which can damage the pump by causing it to lose lubrication while it's pumping. If the pump were mounted away from the tank it would have to pull fuel through a feed line by creating a low pressure and fuel that is under a vacuum can easily vaporize in the line and cause damage to the pump.
Good job Eric....
Question?? So we don't have to change the whole assembly ( the fuel pump) because you just did it the little thing which is the fuel pump..... because my friend did put the whole assembly...... and we got to ordered to the store just the little thing.....with out the assembly? and what's the difference..... thanks again & you have a good videos w/ good explanation...... keep up....thank you!
Great job and video Eric.
Good job Eric,,,,,,,,,,,,,,thanks . Love ya style !
do you think you can make more diagnostic videos such as the parasitic draw test? some hard-start-no-start diagnostics would be awesome
Thanks for posting. Much appreciated.
Thanks for the video I am replacing a fuel pump on my 1999 ford taurus as well.
I used to have a 1999 Ford Taurus worked great till 250,000 miles the trans started acting up. Than for fun I backed it into a tree, Than I jumped it off a 4 foot drop off. It never ran the same after that. :-) now it sits in my barn for the last 2 years.
Why didn't you replace the fuel pump sock filter? The restriction from the old one may have contributed to the failure of the original pump? That is the only thing I could find wrong with an otherwise excellent tutorial. Your videos are quite helpful and quite detailed.
thanks Eric for the great vid . keep the good work
this is addressed to Eric the Fuel Guy ..I have a 1994 ford Station wagon, V6, 4Ltr and recently had the fuel pump replaced. I don't travel very far, just the local shopping centre, doctors, hotel etc. and most of the things I do are no more than approx 5-10 minutes away. I am just wondering, whether the job shown in the video is the same as it would be for my vehicle
To add to my previous comment, even if the tank is plastic with a plastic ring. You should still use a rubber hammer to hit on the chisel or use the brass punch as hammering with a metal hammer could still create a spark.
I can give you 2 reasons.
1- electric fuel pumps work by "pushing" fuel, not "pulling" it. Therefore it needs to be as far back as possible to work.
2- having it inside the tank keeps the pump cool as the fuel cools the pump itself- giving it longer life. It could be mounted outside, but will have a shorter product life.
Pumps are not intended to be a regular replacement item. If it were they would engineer it for easier access.
@QuietstormRising I hope Eric can answer this but supposedly its very hard to ignite the fuel from an exposed connector on the fuel pump - My stock R33 Nissan Skyline didn't have any "dressings" on the in-tank fuel pump connectors either