How to empty gas tank ro replace fuel pump, pump is under gas tank...maybe pump out from top? Options

[second wind]

Hey gang...replacing fuel pump mounted next to steering rack....how can I empty the gas tank before I start the job? From the bottom doesn't work for me...
Thank you very much!
gg

[brant]

usually that fuel pump can be replaced from underneath using the large hole in the chassis. without draining or pulling the tank...

if draining the tank... usually done from pulling a hose underneath... through the same 6 inch hole and into a pan or can...


pumping... sounds like a lot of extra work
suppose it could be done though...
if thats your need.
its just not the direct method

[ClayPerrine]

First buy a new pump.

Then get some wire, a couple of alligator clips, and a long section of hose to fit both sides of the pump

Put the hose on the pump. Put the hose from the suction side of the pump in the tank. Put the hose from the discharge side of the pump into the container for the gas. Hook one end of the wires to the power connections on the pump. Put the alligator clips on the other end of the wires. Hook the alligator clips to the battery.

Now wait until the pump empties the tank.

[VaccaRabite]

I always siphon the gas from the tank into jerry cans, going from the top of the tank. I have big hands and that little hole under the car is nothing but pain for me.

Zach

[VaccaRabite]

But, if you have the front bulkhead cutoff, just clamp the fuel line shut and replace the pump without draining the tank.

Zach

[second wind]

But, if you have the front bulkhead cutoff, just clamp the fuel line shut and replace the pump without draining the tank.

Zach

I'm liking the clamp the fuel lines shut idea a lot...maybe find a cork or rubber plug to stuff into the end of the line. Thanks:)

[Olympic 914]

I have used a HF battery powered transfer pump. Pumping the gas into cans sitting in the front trunk.
You have to take off the tank inlet to fit the pump down in there.

[mepstein]

Flaps, HF, etc sell fuel line clamps. Usually under $10 for a set.

[eric9144]

If you have two sets of needle nose Vice Grips there's an easy way...
Get some fuel lines and essentially cover both sides of the needle nose with the fuel line (like an insulator)--you can then use those to clamp the lines shut on both sides of the fuel pump. It might drip a little, but it works really well and avoids all that draining/siphoning and when you get things back together you're able to test and be done with the whole thing quickly.

[second wind]

If you have two sets of needle nose Vice Grips there's an easy way...
Get some fuel lines and essentially cover both sides of the needle nose with the fuel line (like an insulator)--you can then use those to clamp the lines shut on both sides of the fuel pump. It might drip a little, but it works really well and avoids all that draining/siphoning and when you get things back together you're able to test and be done with the whole thing quickly.

I'm really liking this idea!! Gotta' love 914 World....so the fuel line over the needle nose is to protect the live fuel lines, right? This job is getting easier by the minute. Thank you very much!
gg

[76-914]

If you have two sets of needle nose Vice Grips there's an easy way...
Get some fuel lines and essentially cover both sides of the needle nose with the fuel line (like an insulator)--you can then use those to clamp the lines shut on both sides of the fuel pump. It might drip a little, but it works really well and avoids all that draining/siphoning and when you get things back together you're able to test and be done with the whole thing quickly.

You don't even need to do that Eric. I use them directly on the fuel hose. Harbor Freight also sells cheap line clamps ~$9 that will work also. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[ClayPerrine]

If you have two sets of needle nose Vice Grips there's an easy way...
Get some fuel lines and essentially cover both sides of the needle nose with the fuel line (like an insulator)--you can then use those to clamp the lines shut on both sides of the fuel pump. It might drip a little, but it works really well and avoids all that draining/siphoning and when you get things back together you're able to test and be done with the whole thing quickly.

One minor problem with this...

Gasoline weighs 6Lbs per gallon (0.77Kg/L). So a full 16 gallon fuel tank is going to weigh almost 100 LBS. Pulling an full tank out of that hole in the chassis is WAY harder than pulling a completely empty tank.

You have to buy a new pump anyway. Just use it to get the gas out of the tank first.

Just my $.02

Clay

[930cabman]

If you have two sets of needle nose Vice Grips there's an easy way...
Get some fuel lines and essentially cover both sides of the needle nose with the fuel line (like an insulator)--you can then use those to clamp the lines shut on both sides of the fuel pump. It might drip a little, but it works really well and avoids all that draining/siphoning and when you get things back together you're able to test and be done with the whole thing quickly.

One minor problem with this...

Gasoline weighs 6Lbs per gallon (0.77Kg/L). So a full 16 gallon fuel tank is going to weigh almost 100 LBS. Pulling an full tank out of that hole in the chassis is WAY harder than pulling a completely empty tank.

You have to buy a new pump anyway. Just use it to get the gas out of the tank first.

Just my $.02

Clay

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) Pulling a tank full of gas is not an enjoyable task. I always empty first from any of the methods previously described. I hate to admit, but I have siphoned into a hose in the past with mixed success

[fiacra]

I have used a HF battery powered transfer pump. Pumping the gas into cans sitting in the front trunk.
You have to take off the tank inlet to fit the pump down in there.

Agreed. This is what I have done in the past and it works well. Clay's method sounds like it would work well also, just a bit more work. Bottom line, using something to pump the gas out works best for me.

[ClayPerrine]

I have used a HF battery powered transfer pump. Pumping the gas into cans sitting in the front trunk.
You have to take off the tank inlet to fit the pump down in there.

Agreed. This is what I have done in the past and it works well. Clay's method sounds like it would work well also, just a bit more work. Bottom line, using something to pump the gas out works best for me.

I take the transfer pump setup when traveling long distances with the 914 on the trailer. It has two purposes. If the pump in my 914 fails, the one in the transfer pump setup is the same as the one in the car, so I can swap them. The second reason is that I keep the 914 tank full while it is on the trailer. If we get in the middle of nowhere and the low fuel light comes on, I can always transfer the gas from the 914 to the tow vehicle. The pump, hoses and wires don't take up much space, and it cheap insurance.

Clay