Fuel Pump Replacement in my wife's car - advice needed, please.

Hey Guys, my wife's car is a 2003 Isuzu Axiom XS 4x4 with 89,000 miles on it. While they were poor sellers and Isuzu finally gave up on the US market, the Axiom has been really reliable for us.

Recently, the Axiom got hard to start. It cranks real well, but takes 5-10 seconds to actually start. I took it in to my regular shop and they diagnosed the fuel pump. Actually, they said it's the one-way check valve inside the fuel pump that failed. This allows fuel to travel back to the gas tank instead of staying in the line. So, the car won't run until gas gets to the motor from the gas tank.

I once watched a good friend of mine change the fuel pump in my 1988 Isuzu Trooper (that was 13 years ago in California). It seemed pretty easy. I want to go ahead and do it myself but I want to make sure that I cover all the bases BEFORE I start.

Some questions:

• Other than the fuel pump itself, is there anything else I should have on hand?
• Are there any special tools/glues/etc. required?
• I do plan to have a near empty tank, but any tips on gasoline safety?
• Anything else that may be of help to me?

I appreciate any help y'all can provide.

Rich

 

Rich
I would think it is fairly easy if you have proper tools, remove the old and replace the new in same order. Post some pictures of the pump and hope some Grease Monkey can chimp in :wink:
Good luck

 

What kind of vehicle is the Axiom, an SUV of some sort. Never heard of that particular model. Mind you, Isuzu is more rare in Canada than in the US I would venture to say. Never hurts to have an extra body around when you do the job. I have changed the fuel pump in my wife's 98 Tahoe once before and I can't imagine even trying to lower the tank without an extra body around. If you have a hoist it might not be that bad a job, but when done on four jack stands and with the help of a floor jack, it is still difficult. Even though the tank may be near empty you will never get all the gas out and as it sloshes around in the tank while you lower it, it will move around all over the place so an extra set of hands to help keep it steady will come in handy.

If you have to undo a locking ring on the tank, as you do with my wife's Tahoe, a few wraps of hockey tape around the end of the screw driver (there is a special tool you can buy for removing the locking ring but the screwdriver and hammer worked just as well) helps to prevent sparks. Good thing to remember is that sparks around an empty or near empty gas tank are more dangerous than a full tank. The vapors emitted from a near empty tank are much easier to ignite and cause an explosion. Just be careful with any metal to metal contact.

If you don't have any absorb-all to clean up any spilled fuel, cat litter works just as well and costs a lot less as well. It can also help to wrap a towel or shop rag around the fuel line fittings as you loosen them in case they leak. It was quite a while ago that I changed the fuel pump in my wife's Tahoe but a mechanic friend of mine gave me a hand and though it seemed daunting at first, it turned out to be relatively easy. A fire extinguisher near by might be a good idea. Not to be an alarmist but better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have one. Just my 2 cents.

Hope everything goes well.

 

Its a far shot but look to make sure there isn't an access panel in the floor above the tank somewhere. I just happened to stumble on one in my kia. Like I said far shot but can't hurt to look.

 

I appreciate the responses. I'm going to tackle it this coming weekend.