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Need to empty fuel tank, how to power the fuel pump to do it for me

Tiny
DOUG42190
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 CHEVROLET CAMARO
  • 3.4L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 158,000 MILES
My car is a convertible with a very corrupt fuel tank. Ruins a fuel filter in just minutes (car was a gift). I have a new fuel pump and new tank but I filled the car's tank with premium when I got it as it had set for a while (can ran when I got it). Now the pump will not hold pressure. Three key cycles gets 44psi but immediately drops to zero. I want to change out the tank myself but not a full tank. I make a lousy thief because I cannot get a hose to siphon out the gas in the tank, in fact I cannot get the end of the hose even wet with gas. Is there some way to get the pump to fire up and do this for me?
Thank you,
Doug
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Friday, July 6th, 2018 AT 5:40 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,293 POSTS
I am attaching a wiring diagram below. If I am reading it right, you can pull the fuel pump relay (located in the under hood fuse block) and run a jumper wire to terminal 30, which will power the pump. Just have the fuel line disconnected at the filter and run it into a bucket or something and let the pump fill the bucket. Simple as that.
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Friday, July 6th, 2018 AT 6:28 AM
Tiny
DOUG42190
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Thank you for your response, but there is no fuel pump relay in my under-hood box. It seems it is under or near the driver's left foot, inside the car. Even then, I do not know how to "jump" that relay to make the pump run continuously.
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Friday, July 6th, 2018 AT 6:34 AM
Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
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You can run a wire from the positive battery terminal to the 30 post or *I think* you can run a wire between terminal 30 and terminal 87. And you are right, it is by the kick panel, not under the hood.
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Friday, July 6th, 2018 AT 6:48 AM
Tiny
DOUG42190
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  • 23 POSTS
Thank you for the rapid responses. I did not expect this level of service. So the relay (or is it the connector I will be working with?) Inside the car "should be" marked with a "30" and an "87." Theoretically if I use a "fused jumper wire" between these two, then the pump "should" run? This is inside the car completely, not under the hood, correct?
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Friday, July 6th, 2018 AT 6:56 AM
Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
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There should be a diagram of the terminals on the relay itself, but you will be hooking the jumper up to the connector, not the relay. Just use the relay as a map to tell you what is what. When you have it right, the fuel pump will run until disconnected.
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Friday, July 6th, 2018 AT 8:55 AM
Tiny
DOUG42190
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  • 23 POSTS
Thanks again. My biggest concern is when trying to figure out in the connector which two points will make the pump run, is there anything I could mess up if I pick wrong?
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Friday, July 6th, 2018 AT 9:06 AM
Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
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Sorry I thought I responded earlier. Must not have clicked "Reply." It will be pretty straightforward when you look at the relay. Just hook those two terminals up and you should hear the pump start. If you run a jumper wire from the battery, then it is possible that you could choose wrong and burn out the fuse box.
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Friday, July 6th, 2018 AT 7:20 PM
Tiny
DOUG42190
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Outstanding! Thank you very much for your help and guidance. I never knew such a service was available as what you folks have here. You can be sure I will be back.
Thank you,
Doug
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Friday, July 6th, 2018 AT 7:43 PM
Tiny
HARRY P
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No problem! We are always glad to help out! Come back anytime!
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Saturday, July 7th, 2018 AT 3:29 AM
Tiny
DOUG42190
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  • 23 POSTS
I pulled the harmonic balancer and timing cover off. When I was removing the balancer the crank turned like a 1/16 of an inch. The two gears were lined up perfectly and the slack on each side was even. I am not sure what I was worried about. Put it together and turned the key and it instantly ran. Thank God!
Now I have another issue. I put in a new fuel tank, filter, and new fuel pump (Spectra, could not find OEM). The pump put out 44 PSI but now puts out 34 and pressure goes to zero in just a few minutes (three or four). Warranty replacement on the way.
My question is about two hose spots on the fuel pump. The first (from the left) is the return, the third is the supply line, exactly where does the second one go? The "stubby" one and where does the last one attach? My guess is the stubby one goes to that "tank pressure relief valve" that attaches just above the fuel filter and the fourth one goes to the EVAP canister (the line with the EVAP valve on it near the fuel fill). Then the other line on the EVAP canister would connect to the line that runs up to the engine (on the driver's side).
Am I close?
Thank you for your help. You guys are life savers.

Doug
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Wednesday, September 5th, 2018 AT 10:18 AM
Tiny
HARRY P
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I do not have access to look up specific information this evening. I would suggest posting this question in a new thread so the others might be able to help you out.
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Wednesday, September 5th, 2018 AT 8:49 PM

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