Drain tank to replace fuel pump?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,309
Likes: 2,231
From: Central Maryland
Drain tank to replace fuel pump?
A buddy's fuel pump just died on his '96, and I offered to help him swap it out this week. I see my FSM (which is for a '94) lists draining the fuel tank as one of the steps. I can't, for the life of me, figure out why this should be necessary, and I've never heard of anyone doing it. Am I missing something here?
Also, any tips that go beyond the obvious, and beyond what's listed in the FSM?
TIA.
Be well,
SJW
Also, any tips that go beyond the obvious, and beyond what's listed in the FSM?
TIA.
Be well,
SJW
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,309
Likes: 2,231
From: Central Maryland
Originally Posted by bogus
there is no need to remove the tank for this service. The pump, as I said, is 100% servicable from the top...
Be well,
SJW
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,309
Likes: 2,231
From: Central Maryland
Originally Posted by cajun86
I just replaced my pump took about 30 minutes from the top. Had a full tank of gas did not drain a drop. Easy process.
Thanks guys, for the reassurance. Gotta love this Forum.
Be well,
SJW
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
My manual says nothing about draining the tank. I can think of a good reason not to drain it. It isn't the liquid gasoline that is so dangerous, it is the vapors, the air and fuel above the liquid that is so explosive. The more fuel in the tank, the less vapors to explode.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 1
From: atlanta Georgia
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
My manual says nothing about draining the tank. I can think of a good reason not to drain it. It isn't the liquid gasoline that is so dangerous, it is the vapors, the air and fuel above the liquid that is so explosive. The more fuel in the tank, the less vapors to explode.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
i agree!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
I know that the repair labor/cost book Chevy provides to the dealerships calls for dropping the tank and something like 2 hrs of labor. I forget exactly how much labor.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 721
Likes: 10
From: Irvine CA
Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
I know that the repair labor/cost book Chevy provides to the dealerships calls for dropping the tank and something like 2 hrs of labor. I forget exactly how much labor.
Wait, it gets better, the car still wouldn't start. Then he replaced the coil and it started and ran just fine. If it wasn't for the fact that the car has over 100k on it and it probably needed a filter and pump soon anyway, I'd really be pizzed.
No, I am not going back.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Originally Posted by Yellow95
When I went to pick it up I complained and he admitted he didn't drop the tank but the policy was to charge the book rate.
Had he dropped the tank and done it in 2 hrs, then I guess yeah, he should charge for 2 hrs labor UNLESS the customer calls him out on it.
Because you know if the shop took 3 hrs to do a 2.5 hr job, and charged you for 3, a customer "in the know" would be pissed.
These book times go out the window though on mutiple/overlapping repairs. Timing chain and water pump for example.. combined labor is way less than doing seperate. What would this shop charge you for on that?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,309
Likes: 2,231
From: Central Maryland
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
My manual says nothing about draining the tank. I can think of a good reason not to drain it. It isn't the liquid gasoline that is so dangerous, it is the vapors, the air and fuel above the liquid that is so explosive. The more fuel in the tank, the less vapors to explode.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Fuel Sender Assembly Replacement
Remove or Disconnect:
1. Negative battery cable.
2. Relieve fuel system pressure.
3. Fuel filler cap.
4. Drain fuel tank.
...etc.
Beats me.
One thing's for sure -- I will be skipping Step 4.
Thanks again, all.
Be well,
SJW
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
I know that the repair labor/cost book Chevy provides to the dealerships calls for dropping the tank and something like 2 hrs of labor.
Originally Posted by Yellow95
Wait, it gets better, the car still wouldn't start. Then he replaced the coil and it started and ran just fine.
RACE ON!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 10
From: Lufkin Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
I think the book may just be using the C.Y.A. policy. You know Cover Your A$$. They are covering theirs in case some shade tree hillbilly decides to have a Marlboro hanging out his mouth during the process of removing the fuel pump without draining the tank. Or uses his ligther to look in the tank. 
Now as far as dropping the tank!! Well thats just retarded. Must just be one of those "help shops score easy charges" things.
I did mine from the top in about 40 minutes without draining or dropping and I wasn't in a hurry.
Now as far as dropping the tank!! Well thats just retarded. Must just be one of those "help shops score easy charges" things.
I did mine from the top in about 40 minutes without draining or dropping and I wasn't in a hurry.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by skateparkdave
I think the book may just be using the C.Y.A. policy. You know Cover Your A$$. They are covering theirs in case some shade tree hillbilly decides to have a Marlboro hanging out his mouth during the process of removing the fuel pump without draining the tank. Or uses his ligther to look in the tank.
RACE ON!!!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,309
Likes: 2,231
From: Central Maryland
Originally Posted by skateparkdave
I think the book may just be using the C.Y.A. policy. You know Cover Your A$$. They are covering theirs in case some shade tree hillbilly decides to have a Marlboro hanging out his mouth during the process of removing the fuel pump without draining the tank. Or uses his ligther to look in the tank.
Now as far as dropping the tank!! Well thats just retarded. Must just be one of those "help shops score easy charges" things.
I did mine from the top in about 40 minutes without draining or dropping and I wasn't in a hurry.
Now as far as dropping the tank!! Well thats just retarded. Must just be one of those "help shops score easy charges" things.
I did mine from the top in about 40 minutes without draining or dropping and I wasn't in a hurry.
I can only guess that some mechanics who didn't bother to look it up would just presume that the tank must be dropped, as this is the case on many vehicles. I dunno...
Be well,
SJW
