Fuel tank removal

[S-G-Covin]

I have a fuel problem. Seems like bad gas still left over from when I drained the car last year, but there could be trash too.

Long story short: I think I need to clean and check my fuel tank. I was hoping someone here had done it before and could run through the process real quick.

Thanks in advance.

[JRMock]

You will have to drop the transaxle to remove the fuel tank. After that it's easy.

From the top side -

• remove cover over the fill tube in the rear hatch area. This gives you access to the filler and breather hoses. Disconnect these.

• Pull up the carpet, and the 4" round rubber seal to disconnect the electrical wires to the fuel gauge sending unit.

From the bottom -

• disconnect the fuel supply line to the fuel pump. There are two 'straps' holding the fuel tank in place. Disconnect these and lower the tank.

Some pictures that may help...

http://www.jrmock.com/fuel_cell_install_1.htm

or may not...

Good luck,
JM

[S-G-Covin]

Hot dang that sounds like a total PITA. Is there another way I can clean the tank out?

[944speed]

cheap and quick? disconnect the fuel pump and shove a garden hose in the neck with a home depot bucket to catch the water, let it dry a couple days, or air compressor

[earlr85944]

yes, definitely go with plan B. Also pull the rail end cap and blow out the line to the rail and return line, start with fresh stuff

pull the fuel level sender to gain better access to flush and blow out with air, definitely pull the strainer at the tank bottom

[S-G-Covin]

Originally Posted by earlr85944

yes, definitely go with plan B. Also pull the rail end cap and blow out the line to the rail and return line, start with fresh stuff

pull the fuel level sender to gain better access to flush and blow out with air, definitely pull the strainer at the tank bottom

Good suggestion and ty for the fast replies. I will probably do just that if the problem persists...I may do that anyway, if my fuel sensor decides to continue being a dork

Pulled the fuel filter instead. Figured there would be some buildup of rust and crud if the tank is bad.

There was a little bit of rust flakes--less than you'd expect from at least 2 years of sitting--and what smelled like fresh gas.

The problem I've been having is an intermittent loss of power. Suddenly, after a "jolt" the car losses power and wants to stall. Letting it sit for a few minutes seems to clear it at least enough to get home.

Its happened twice so far: once, after getting out of school Monday(speed bumps, I assume, supplied the jolt) and another time tonight after doing a hairpin 3-point turn at a gas station (that had no gas ). Both times were also accompanied by a trip up or down a steep incline.

I suspect the culprit is water in the tank. I put some gas cleaner w/ de-icer (aka alcohol) in with a full tank and hope to run it out. I'll update if the problem goes away...or doesn't.

[earlr85944]

of course change the filter, but also the tank strainer needs attention, put a gauge on the rail if you think your getting intermittent prerssure

[944speed]

sounds like pressure regulator, when those go bad it does that kind of "I wanna start sometimes but other times i i just dont feel like it" and cuts out, id check the PR's wiring and the regulator itself.

[S-G-Covin]

mini-Update: so far, so good. Gave me a good ride this morning; even managed to let me backtrack home (very quickly) to grab a text book I forgot).

Actually, I didn't change the filter. I changed the filter last year after purchase. Since it still looks clean, I'm holding on to the one I just bought and reusing the "old" one.

Other than that, the only thing I've done is pour some more gas and a bottle of SeaFoam in (one of those silver bullet" curealls; I don't really trust them, but the alcohol will mix with the water and let me get it out of the tank). I figure I can buy a 3-pack of STP and, over the courswe of the next four tanks of gas, clean everything out.