Fuel contaminants like dirt, rust
and scale are a primary cause of in-tank fuel pump failure, and
they can cause the replacement pump to fail prematurely. For a
successful installation, you must keep everything totally clean--start
to finish.
1. Clean accumulated road dirt from top of fuel tank,
taking special care around the pump access area. (Cover fuel inlet
tubes first.) Also clean tank filler pipe.
2. Inspect the fuel strainer
for stains from rust, clogging from dirt, and slime from water.
(Some fuels contain up to 10% alcohol, which attracts water that
can accumulate in the tank.) All tanks must be drained, flushed
and dried before installing the new pump. If the interior is rusted,
the tank must be cleaned and inside surface sealed, or it must
be replaced.
3. Replace pump on a clean work table, or lintless
shop towel.Electric fuel pumps are made to extremely close tolerances,
so are easily damaged by the smallest contaminants.Keep your hands
clean.
4. Keep replacement pump in its package until you're
ready for it, and leave caps on inlet and outlet fittings while
installing pump in hanger.
5. Install new strainer. Make sure its
retaining clamp fits snugly on the pump inlet to prevent contaminated
fuel from bypassing the strainer.
6. Discard the old tank seal and
replace it with a new one any time the lock ring is removed.
7. Protect
filler neck and inlet/outlet openings from dirt when reinstalling
fuel tank in vehicle. Stuff shop towels in tank openings and tape
over fittings until ready to reconnect lines or hoses.