Changing the fuel pump on a 97 coupe
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 116
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From: Rochester New York
Changing the fuel pump on a 97 coupe
I'm finally getting around to changing the annoyingly loud fuel pump on my '97 coupe. I am replacing it with a pump from a junkyard '99.
I am having a hell of a time disconnecting the three lines from the fuel pump. I have two different disconnect tools - a two sided, silver one, and a golden one. The silver one is seemingly worthless.
I can fit the gold colored one completely into the fitting on the top. I can't get the tool completely into the fittings on the other two lines.
Even with the tool all the way into the fitting on the top line, I can't get it to disconnect. Pushing, pulling, tugging; nothing has worked yet.
Am I doing something wrong, or is this typically this difficult?
Thanks for your help,
-Mike
I am having a hell of a time disconnecting the three lines from the fuel pump. I have two different disconnect tools - a two sided, silver one, and a golden one. The silver one is seemingly worthless.
I can fit the gold colored one completely into the fitting on the top. I can't get the tool completely into the fittings on the other two lines.
Even with the tool all the way into the fitting on the top line, I can't get it to disconnect. Pushing, pulling, tugging; nothing has worked yet.
Am I doing something wrong, or is this typically this difficult?
Thanks for your help,
-Mike
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,904
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From: Vancouver Washington
The top line and bottom lines are a 3/8" and the center line is 5/16".
Pull the fitting towards the pipe, insert the tool fully, and then move the tool and the line off the pipe. (the tool will stop and the line will come all the way off). The key here is having the proper sized tools.
Pull the fitting towards the pipe, insert the tool fully, and then move the tool and the line off the pipe. (the tool will stop and the line will come all the way off). The key here is having the proper sized tools.
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
If memory serves, I didn't need any tool to remove mine. Push the line forward, squeeze the nylon plastic retainer clip and then pull the lines off.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Rochester New York
Humorously enough, about 10 minutes after I posted this, I went back to the car and the top and middle lines came off with no problems. Still arguing with the bottom line. Annoying job, but I am hoping the pump I have now isn't a noisy one.
Team Owner
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
The earlier C5s require a special tool; the later ones have the more sane plastic connectors.
Humorously enough, about 10 minutes after I posted this, I went back to the car and the top and middle lines came off with no problems. Still arguing with the bottom line. Annoying job, but I am hoping the pump I have now isn't a noisy one.
Humorously enough, about 10 minutes after I posted this, I went back to the car and the top and middle lines came off with no problems. Still arguing with the bottom line. Annoying job, but I am hoping the pump I have now isn't a noisy one.
I think the foam may have been for heat insulation originally. I know by '99 GM had discontinued it's use as mine does not have it.
I was recently in mine to replace the pump with a Racetronix high volume version along with their wiring harness. Wasn't too bad of a job and the pump is definitely quieter than my stocker, but it had about 150,000 miles on it.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Rochester New York
Got the new pump in now. Amazing how perfectly you have to angle and maneuver the pump to get it to fit into the tank, past the suspension stuff, etc.
Unfortunately, I do not have light in my garage, and I ran out of day light before I could get the pump screwed in. Didn't realize that the pattern of the holes wasn't even and that the grommet & pump have to line up in a certain way, and then line up a certain way to the pump. Annoying, but I'll get it done tomorrow. Hopefully this pump isn't as loud as my last one.
Unfortunately, I do not have light in my garage, and I ran out of day light before I could get the pump screwed in. Didn't realize that the pattern of the holes wasn't even and that the grommet & pump have to line up in a certain way, and then line up a certain way to the pump. Annoying, but I'll get it done tomorrow. Hopefully this pump isn't as loud as my last one.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Got the new pump in now. Amazing how perfectly you have to angle and maneuver the pump to get it to fit into the tank, past the suspension stuff, etc.
Unfortunately, I do not have light in my garage, and I ran out of day light before I could get the pump screwed in. Didn't realize that the pattern of the holes wasn't even and that the grommet & pump have to line up in a certain way, and then line up a certain way to the pump. Annoying, but I'll get it done tomorrow. Hopefully this pump isn't as loud as my last one.
Unfortunately, I do not have light in my garage, and I ran out of day light before I could get the pump screwed in. Didn't realize that the pattern of the holes wasn't even and that the grommet & pump have to line up in a certain way, and then line up a certain way to the pump. Annoying, but I'll get it done tomorrow. Hopefully this pump isn't as loud as my last one.
Did you get your new gasket through Rock Auto or some other source?
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From: Waldorf MD
You can just use your hands to release the fuel lines, I ended up doing this when I replaced my gas filter.
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Instructor
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From: Rochester New York
And you can't use your hands on the early style lines. These aren't the plastic push connectors like you can see in the Lingenfelter pump installation PDF. Definitely need a tool for these. And what a pain in the *** they were!
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I hope you're using a new gasket and screws. If not, be prepared for the distinct possibility of a leak(s). It happened to me when I re-used my original gasket.
Thread Starter
Instructor
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From: Rochester New York
I would advise cutting back (and removing) that foam insulation on the lines an inch or two to expose the metal ferrules and do a little sanding/scraping off any rust and then giving them a light coat of anti-seize compound or graphite grease. Those are excellent at preventing future rust, plus getting rid of the foam helps stop any water being trapped right on the metal is good too. Avoid using stuff like WD40 or Kroil, etc as they just evaporate too quickly and don't leave any protection. Even a little axle/bearing grease is better than nothing.
I hope you're using a new gasket and screws. If not, be prepared for the distinct possibility of a leak(s). It happened to me when I re-used my original gasket.
I hope you're using a new gasket and screws. If not, be prepared for the distinct possibility of a leak(s). It happened to me when I re-used my original gasket.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 116
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From: Rochester New York
New (to me) pump has now been installed. Tightened down screws very carefully as advised. These old style connection fuel lines are as much of a bitch to fit back on as to remove.
There is no leaking from the lines, gasket, tank, etc. And VERY happily, the new pump is very quiet! This project is a success!
Overall, the pump wasn't too bad to change; just annoying. Certainly not as easy as the fuel pump on my DeLorean! (no bttf/cocaine jokes, please!)
Thanks for the tips and pointers, folks.
There is no leaking from the lines, gasket, tank, etc. And VERY happily, the new pump is very quiet! This project is a success!
Overall, the pump wasn't too bad to change; just annoying. Certainly not as easy as the fuel pump on my DeLorean! (no bttf/cocaine jokes, please!)
Thanks for the tips and pointers, folks.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
New (to me) pump has now been installed. Tightened down screws very carefully as advised. These old style connection fuel lines are as much of a bitch to fit back on as to remove.
There is no leaking from the lines, gasket, tank, etc. And VERY happily, the new pump is very quiet! This project is a success!
Overall, the pump wasn't too bad to change; just annoying. Certainly not as easy as the fuel pump on my DeLorean! (no bttf/cocaine jokes, please!)
Thanks for the tips and pointers, folks.
There is no leaking from the lines, gasket, tank, etc. And VERY happily, the new pump is very quiet! This project is a success!
Overall, the pump wasn't too bad to change; just annoying. Certainly not as easy as the fuel pump on my DeLorean! (no bttf/cocaine jokes, please!)
Thanks for the tips and pointers, folks.
Now you are in a position to help someone else someday if they have a problem/question about this. That's the way it works around here.
Just keep a "nose out" (
) for any fuel smells and check your fuel gauge for correct operation for a few days and you'll be good.
