Fuel sending line replacement

Hi Jut420

Yes. If you only need to get the lines off of the pump then you do not need to completely remove the tank. You only need to drop it far enough to get your arms up there.

However, I would not suggest dropping the front. You want to drop the side that is furthest away from the filler hose that you cannot get off. This will not put much pressure on that hose. Clearly we don't want to stretch a fuel hose because that could cause more issues.

I attached the procedure on how to remove the tank so you can comb through it just to see what you need to take down in order to start dropping it. I would suggest keeping the fuel strap connected on the side that is closest to the filler neck so that you always have something holding the tank. The last thing you want is to have the tank suspended by the EVAP lines or others. You can loosen this strap so that you can get a better angle but do not take it completely off because you will need to take the other strap completely off.

Lastly, empty the tank. I would not attempt this is there is still fuel in the tank. Not only does it just add more weight and make it hard to handle but you don't want the tank to shift and have a chance splashing fuel on you.

There is no official process because a dealer has a lift that will support the tank when it is full, so we will need to use some tricks that I have learned over the years.

Since you are not removing the pump or going to have access to the tank from the top, the easiest and safest way is to siphon it out of the gas tank from the filler neck, into a gas can so you can reuse it. There is a second way which is to unhook the feed line to the engine and connect a rubber line to it and run it to the gas can on the ground. This second way will allow you to use the fuel pump to get the fuel moving. I attached a picture of where this line is so you can decide which way to go. Here are the steps for both.

Engine line siphon
1. Relieve the pressure - process attached.
2. Disconnect the fuel feed pipe from the rail. You will need a fuel line disconnect tool.
3. Find a rubber hose that is large enough to fit over the line coming from the tank
3b. You can go to a parts store and get a quick connect end that fits your fuel line from the tank. Cut it to about a 6 inch length and then connect a rubber line to this and run the other end to a fuel tank on the ground.
4. Reconnect the fuel pump relay so that the fuel pump will energize
5. Turn the key on so that the fuel pump runs and it will pump fuel into your can. Continue this process until the tank is empty. FYI, once there is enough fuel in the gas can on the ground it should create a suction and you will not need to continue to cycle the key
6. Once empty, reconnect your main fuel line and proceed with your fuel tank repair.

Siphon from fuel tank through filler neck (easier way if you have an air compressor)
1. Make sure the vehicle is on a level surface.
2. Remove your gas cap and insert about a 3/4 inch rubber line down into the fuel tank and submerge it in the fuel so it on the bottom of the tank.
3. On the end of the hose that is on the ground that will go into the gas can, poke a hole large enough to fit the end of your air nozzle connected to your air compressor
4. When ready to siphon the fuel, hold the end of the hose with the hole in it close to your gas can and blow compressed air through the hole you made in the direction AWAY from the vehicle and towards the gas can. This will create a suction in the fuel tank and will siphon out the fuel. Do not use your mouth to suck out the fuel. This is dumb and you always end up with a mouth fuel of gas.
5. Once the fuel is flowing, keep the end of the hose that is on the ground, lower than the fuel tank and you will not create an air pocket stopping the flow of fuel. If this fills your gas can and you need to switch cans, just pull the hose out a little ways from your filler neck so that it comes above the fuel level in the tank and it will break the flow. Then simply repeat the process with the air nozzle in a new can.

I included some documents for your review. Including a very crude drawing of what I am talking about with the air hose. Hopefully this will make it clear what is supposed to happen. Once you do it, it will make sense because it is very straight forward. You are siphoning fuel the old fashion way but just replacing your mouth with an air nozzle. The only tricky part is getting the angle of the compressed air and possibly the depth in which you put air nozzle into the hose. Play with the angle and depth a little if it doesn't work at first. It will take a couple seconds for the fuel to make it up the hose and come out so don't think it will be immediate.

Hopefully this helps.

Let me know if you need further clarification and I can help out. Kenny

Yes. It looks like you can get the filler tube off from the top of the tank. Keep in mind, this is the dealer process where they have a lift supporting the tank. So most likely you will need loosen the tank in order to gain access to the filler neck on the tank itself. However, it looks like a simple hose clamp so once it is loose just pry it off with a small pry bar.

Also, you can do the fuel pump method anywhere on that supply line to the fuel rail. If that is your issue and it is leaking, then I would just cut it on the tank side of the leak and hook your hose directly to it. I am not sure if this line is metal or rubber here, so if it is metal just remember not to cut it with a cut off wheel or anything that will create sparks because it is a fuel line and that will be a bad situation.

If you have rusted fuel lines, replace them. Even if they are not leaking today, they will. The last thing you want is for them to fail on the highway leaving you on the side of the road.

As for replacing those first, it is not a bad idea. Start there and then check as you go to see if it is still leaking. I would suggest having someone crank your vehicle while you are laying next to it (not under it) inspecting the fuel lines to find the exact spot they are leaking. If you find it, you can just replace that section of line with a replacement fuel line. You just cut it with a fuel line cutting tool, available at any parts store. The reason fuel lines are metal is so they don't get punctured or cut from road debris. It you are only replacing an inch of line (just where the leak is), putting a rubber line on it won't hurt. Just tighten it down with a small hose clamp on either end.

I was under the impression you knew it was leaking from above the tank. If you are not sure, then definitely do this first. You don't want to drop the entire tank to replace a line if it is not needed.

If you have to change the metal line, it is definitely worth investing in the formed lines that fit your vehicle. Any parts store can look those up for you. I attached a screen shot for a common parts source on the internet.
Please double check this just to make sure it is correct.

You can get lines that you have to cut, form, and flare yourself. However, if you have never done that, I would not recommend it because it is not fun.

Check out this link below. Unfortunately, I should have sent this to you first. It shows most of the things I was sharing with you earlier.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-electric-fuel-pump

Hopefully, I answered your question. Please let me know if I did not.