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.
