2002 T Bird Fuel Pump Removal

Late Model T-Bird and Lincoln LS models have a common fuel system. Access for pump maintenance is best achieved through the access built into the floor of the body.
This video will take you through the steps to access the fuel pumps (there are two) and their removal.

[@artm5583]

I love KZbin for this reason

[@bluangelteddie08]

I need that bracket you made... gonna try to make one.

[@DTomasic]

You will need some metal stock, an conveniently sized nut, a hack saw or cut off wheel on a grinder, a rule, and a welder. Good luck. Mine is only one variation, feel free to innovate.

[@bluangelteddie08]

Great video, helped with disconnecting the lines. Question, do you know the part number for the gasket? Can't figure it out. Thank you.

[@DTomasic]

Alexis-> I'm sorry to say I do not know the part numbers and they a enot shown in the parts breakdown either. A Ford parts manager may be able to locate the gasket part number if available ...And I cannot believe that it is not available since the same tanke is in a vast number of cars. A car reclamation facility may be able to help ... Lincons and T-Birds and most likely many other ford cars share the same polpypropolene tank access.

[@dixiemay1996]

So even adding a gasoline additive e.g. Heet-Isoheet etc. will not work?

[@cdf912]

Hi D, I just watched your video. My 2002 TBird is dead from sitting too long without being started. Having read from other owners that it was costing them $1500-$2000, I decided to give it a try. I gained access from popping the fabric where it meets the top of the bulkhead. I did not need to raise the top. This gave me access to all the clips holding the bulkhead in, so I just popped the clips and took the entire bulkhead out. I popped off the trim around the keyhole and the two small plastic push-pins and pulled the carpet forward. I think if I can pop that small piece of the console off, I can pul the carpet further away to gain better access. My question to you is, I cant really understand how to disconnect the small hoses. (you call them pipes). In your closeup of the top of the fuel pump, are the clips holding the hoses attached, red? Did you use a flat head screwdriver to pull the red pieces off? Can you explain what part is the clip and what pieces come off? Im confused.

[@DTomasic]

This was difficult for me as well. There are tabs on the hoses that need to be compressed to unlock the collar so it can be moved back to clear the pump plumbing. I used long needle nosed pliers. The issue is room to work in if nothing else. Persevere and just work with it. I hope you confirmed that water in the tank is your issue. I confirmed my problem by removing the feed line to the fuel rail on the engine. If there is water in there, then yes it is water contamination of the tank. Don't fore get to replace the fuel filter under the fender liner behind the left front wheel. My Ford dealer at first told me the 2002 did not have a filter, but when I suggested he double check the manual - there it was. While the hoses are all disconnected and filter off, be sure to clear the lines with low pressure compressed air. Starting will still be an issue if the lines are assembled while still full of water. If there is water in the tank, be sure to remove all the contents of your tank and make it dry. Many people do not know, that the water collection is actually from the alcohol in the fuel. A single teaspoon of water in the tank when sloshed around with a tank of fresh fuel will cause the alcohol to separate from the gasoline. The water laden alcohol part settles right to bottom of your tank. The process repeats for each successive tank of fresh fuel until enough water collects to stop the car cold. Failure to remove the water from the tank will lead to the same problem all over again. Alcohol is used to boost the octane of the fuel, separating the water from the fuel will drop the octane rating of the gasoline in the tank by at least 4 i.e. 90 octane will become 86 octane. Who knew!

[@cdf912]

How do you suggest i remove the water from the tank?

[@DTomasic]

If there is fuel in the tank, I would consider it waste. Any water will be below the gas. Depending on how much is in there, a long siphon tube to a container outside the car for the bulk of any liquid. A baster to suck out any un-siphon-able liquid, and finally a dry rag or paper towel to dry the bottom. If there is condensation on the sides and upper inside of the tank you need to deal with it too - as slight as it may be, it is nonetheless destructive to fresh fuel.. To remove that, you would need to circulate air in the tank to evaporate it away, Air from a compressor or something that moves ambient air. Don't add any heat or use anything that involves spark - that could prove disastrous as you are working in a small volume with a flammable vapor - the very definition of "bomb". Work in well ventilated area and away from power equipment. Be Safe.