1stL
06-24-06, 11:33 AM
Fuel Pump Replacement- (1994 Eldorado)
I recently purchased a nice 94 Eldorado. It performed well when I test-drove it, Carfax showed it as a one owner, it was exceptionally clean, and all the electronics worked inside and out. The next day after purchasing it I noticed it was hard to start in the morning. After the initial hard start, it ran like a top, never failing to start with one try. I hoped that a good tune-up was the answer (OEM plugs, wires, air filter, pcv valve and fuel filter), but it wasn’t. After researching this site for a solution to my hard cold starts I tested the fuel pressure and found it to be at 35psi instead of the 40-50 range required. After replacing the fuel pump it starts with one try—hot or cold!
- The less fuel in the tank the better. I was fortunate enough to be able to drive mine until there was less than a quarter of a tank left. I don’t know how to siphon gas out of a fuel tank nor would I have attempted to. If you have to do this be extremely careful!
- Don’t smoke or have a phone or any spark source near or around you during this process!
- I had someone help me steady the gas tank during the removal process.
- Relieve the fuel pressure. *Note- There are two ways to do this, one is by using some type of bleeder hose fitting at the fuel pressure connection in the engine compartment and the other is to remove gas cap, take the 20 amp fuse out of the engine compartment fuse block and starting the car and letting it run until it dies. I had a problem using the fuse method for this procedure. I had removed the fuel pump fuse three times prior to doing the pump removal. Once was to change the filter and then two times to check the pressure—no problems. Both times the engine wouldn’t even start. This time however, the engine started and ran poorly but never died. The service engine soon light came on and it threw a code P020 (open fuel pump circuit). After shutting it off and starting it back a few times it finally died but when I disconnected the fuel lines gas spewed out everywhere so in reality I never really relieved the pressure.
- Disconnect negative battery cable.
- Raise vehicle on a lift or in a safe manner and secure on jack stands.
- Disconnect electrical plug on the rear of tank. This has a blue safety clip that is hard to negotiate. Once the blue clip is moved up, it unplugs easily.
- Disconnect fuel lines (both are at the filter—one goes into the filter and one is above it, which is the return line). Have plenty of old rags and a container to catch spills. This is also the point at which fuel vapors will become an issue—Be careful!!!
- Put a floor jack under the fuel tank. I used a block of wood between the tank and the jack. There is a flat spot on the bottom of the tank and that is the area that I used to support the tank. Raise the jack and wedge until it just touches the tank.
- Remove bolts from rear exhaust heat shield and move as needed. (I couldn’t remove it completely)
- Remove tank straps (two bolts per strap).
- Slowly lower jack and tank. Have your helper watching and steadying the tank. It will have to be moved slightly to the driver’s side because of the exhaust shield. *Note- The tank will be held up in the rear by the fuel filler and vent pipes so the front will be the part of the tank that lowers the most. Go slow!
- Vacuum the top of the tank and pump if possible using the brush attachment so as to remove any dirt and grit before removing pump. I also used a damp rag to wipe this area.
- At this point I was able to see the pump I.D. code on top of the pump that the parts house required to order the correct pump. There are three codes for my 94 model: EPV=$300.00 (complete assembly) or EPT and EPW= $100.00 (pump only). Mine was the more expensive complete assembly.
- Disconnect the electrical plug at the pump; this also has a blue safety clip that is tricky to get up.
- Disconnect the two fuel lines.
- Use appropriate tool to remove locking ring. I used a flat head screw driver and a small hammer, but there is an actual tool available to remove the ring. After one or two hits dirt will have loosened and fallen around the ring onto the tank, so use several damp paper towels to clean the area again. Hit the ring a couple of more times and clean the area again and then completely loosen ring.
- Lift the pump assembly up as far as possible and then lean it over to negotiate the fuel sender float out with the pump. Look at the position of the float on the new unit and use this as a guide to remove the old pump.
- Put new assembly into tank. The rubber tank seal is already around the new assembly and once you have negotiated the pump into place slide the seal down and around the tank opening and then slide the pump the rest of the down and tighten the locking nut. Be sure not to pinch the tank seal.
- Install the electrical plug at the pump and the two fuel lines.
- Put everything back together. Now would be the time for a new fuel filter!
- Replace fuse and reconnect the battery.
- Refill with several gallons of gas if necessary.
- Turn ignition switch to the run position, but don’t start yet. Listen for the pump to activate and turn the key off. Turn the key to “run” again without starting and get out and look around for any leaks. If no leaks are found get back in, turn key off and then start the car.
- Remember to let the car relearn its idle (wheels straight, accessories off, let idle 15 minutes, put foot on brake and put in gear, let idle 3 minutes, leave foot on brake and car in gear and turn the automatic climate control to the auto position and wait another 3 minutes then shut the car off. Get out and check for leaks again and then take it for a test drive.
I recently purchased a nice 94 Eldorado. It performed well when I test-drove it, Carfax showed it as a one owner, it was exceptionally clean, and all the electronics worked inside and out. The next day after purchasing it I noticed it was hard to start in the morning. After the initial hard start, it ran like a top, never failing to start with one try. I hoped that a good tune-up was the answer (OEM plugs, wires, air filter, pcv valve and fuel filter), but it wasn’t. After researching this site for a solution to my hard cold starts I tested the fuel pressure and found it to be at 35psi instead of the 40-50 range required. After replacing the fuel pump it starts with one try—hot or cold!
- The less fuel in the tank the better. I was fortunate enough to be able to drive mine until there was less than a quarter of a tank left. I don’t know how to siphon gas out of a fuel tank nor would I have attempted to. If you have to do this be extremely careful!
- Don’t smoke or have a phone or any spark source near or around you during this process!
- I had someone help me steady the gas tank during the removal process.
- Relieve the fuel pressure. *Note- There are two ways to do this, one is by using some type of bleeder hose fitting at the fuel pressure connection in the engine compartment and the other is to remove gas cap, take the 20 amp fuse out of the engine compartment fuse block and starting the car and letting it run until it dies. I had a problem using the fuse method for this procedure. I had removed the fuel pump fuse three times prior to doing the pump removal. Once was to change the filter and then two times to check the pressure—no problems. Both times the engine wouldn’t even start. This time however, the engine started and ran poorly but never died. The service engine soon light came on and it threw a code P020 (open fuel pump circuit). After shutting it off and starting it back a few times it finally died but when I disconnected the fuel lines gas spewed out everywhere so in reality I never really relieved the pressure.
- Disconnect negative battery cable.
- Raise vehicle on a lift or in a safe manner and secure on jack stands.
- Disconnect electrical plug on the rear of tank. This has a blue safety clip that is hard to negotiate. Once the blue clip is moved up, it unplugs easily.
- Disconnect fuel lines (both are at the filter—one goes into the filter and one is above it, which is the return line). Have plenty of old rags and a container to catch spills. This is also the point at which fuel vapors will become an issue—Be careful!!!
- Put a floor jack under the fuel tank. I used a block of wood between the tank and the jack. There is a flat spot on the bottom of the tank and that is the area that I used to support the tank. Raise the jack and wedge until it just touches the tank.
- Remove bolts from rear exhaust heat shield and move as needed. (I couldn’t remove it completely)
- Remove tank straps (two bolts per strap).
- Slowly lower jack and tank. Have your helper watching and steadying the tank. It will have to be moved slightly to the driver’s side because of the exhaust shield. *Note- The tank will be held up in the rear by the fuel filler and vent pipes so the front will be the part of the tank that lowers the most. Go slow!
- Vacuum the top of the tank and pump if possible using the brush attachment so as to remove any dirt and grit before removing pump. I also used a damp rag to wipe this area.
- At this point I was able to see the pump I.D. code on top of the pump that the parts house required to order the correct pump. There are three codes for my 94 model: EPV=$300.00 (complete assembly) or EPT and EPW= $100.00 (pump only). Mine was the more expensive complete assembly.
- Disconnect the electrical plug at the pump; this also has a blue safety clip that is tricky to get up.
- Disconnect the two fuel lines.
- Use appropriate tool to remove locking ring. I used a flat head screw driver and a small hammer, but there is an actual tool available to remove the ring. After one or two hits dirt will have loosened and fallen around the ring onto the tank, so use several damp paper towels to clean the area again. Hit the ring a couple of more times and clean the area again and then completely loosen ring.
- Lift the pump assembly up as far as possible and then lean it over to negotiate the fuel sender float out with the pump. Look at the position of the float on the new unit and use this as a guide to remove the old pump.
- Put new assembly into tank. The rubber tank seal is already around the new assembly and once you have negotiated the pump into place slide the seal down and around the tank opening and then slide the pump the rest of the down and tighten the locking nut. Be sure not to pinch the tank seal.
- Install the electrical plug at the pump and the two fuel lines.
- Put everything back together. Now would be the time for a new fuel filter!
- Replace fuse and reconnect the battery.
- Refill with several gallons of gas if necessary.
- Turn ignition switch to the run position, but don’t start yet. Listen for the pump to activate and turn the key off. Turn the key to “run” again without starting and get out and look around for any leaks. If no leaks are found get back in, turn key off and then start the car.
- Remember to let the car relearn its idle (wheels straight, accessories off, let idle 15 minutes, put foot on brake and put in gear, let idle 3 minutes, leave foot on brake and car in gear and turn the automatic climate control to the auto position and wait another 3 minutes then shut the car off. Get out and check for leaks again and then take it for a test drive.