Fuel Tank

Tiny
AMONKEY102
  • MEMBER
  • 1987 CHEVROLET CELEBRITY
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 66,000 MILES
There is trash in the line and/or the fuel tank. I have replaced the fuel filter a second time now, after it ran out of gas due to a bad fuel gauge or sending unit. I want to drain and flush the fuel tank to get all of the trash out of it, and replace the part that the fuel gauge gets its reading from so that it is accurate. What all is involved in dropping, draining and flushing the fuel tank?
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Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011 AT 12:59 PM

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Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Drain the tank, if the pump will run, you can use the pump to drain the tank. There should be a fuel pump test connector under the hood, you can run the pump from there. Take line loose from fuel filter, aim fuel line into container. If your tank is full, fill up your other vehicles and call the neighbors.

Take negative battery cable loose, take fuel lines loose from gas tank, fuel filler neck loose. Electrical connectors loose. I pulled a tank on an 88 celeb once, The trunk cavity was so deep, the tank had to come out in front of the rear tires. Which means the rear-end has to be fairly high. I used a floor jack with a piece of plywood to hold the tank while I took the tank straps loose, then lowered it.

There plenty of safety issues working under a vehicle, if a bumper jack is all you have, don't even start. At the least, you need a floor jack and about 4 jack-stands, even then it isn't safe. Don't use jack-stands in the dirt. Safety is your responsibility.
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Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011 AT 3:51 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Just to add, when removing locking ring from pump, use brass or copper drift, no spark.
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Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011 AT 3:53 PM

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