2004 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN - CUT FLOOR ACCESS HOLE for FUEL PUMP CHANGE

[@richardtidd2738]

My local shop wants $700 dollars to replace my fuel pump, 2003 Chrysler Town And Country van. Many thanks for your excellent video, I should be under $100 with a new eBay pump, aluminum tape and a few jig saw blades.

[@dirkhandke3002]

Ha ha ha! Whatever works, works! 🙂 Good Luck!

[@PCHERE]

This is completely brilliant. Well done video and then typing the instructions.

[@dirkhandke3002]

Thanks! 🙂

[@donjohnson3701]

Excellent video! Don’t need a pump right now on my 2004 Caravan but I will prepare for DIY by cutting the access hole in the floor! The pumps are relatively cheap for a diy’r project; but dropping the tank could be a challenge especially in the winter. My 2004 Acura comes from the factory with an access panel for the fuel pump replacement!

[@dirkhandke3002]

Yes, some vehicle companies are DIY REPAIR FRIENDLY! 🙂

[@guestguide2544]

Great video, one thing not shown that can be very tough is getting the ring off if its on super tight. A 6" or 8" wood dowel the size of a broom handle works well to try to tap the big ring nut loose with hammer. On replacement I spray the top ring threads with silicon lubricant very well and don't tighten it superman tight. Also, don't know if there is room with this method but the heavy duty rubber band gripper wrench allows very good leverage to get a ring off that is seemingly welded in place. Good idea those metal clips to use to run sheet metal screws through to reattach. I will put 2 small hinges on one side so its like a door, will use your method but try to make it beefier on the other 3 sides so it can't be pushed down if a lot of weight is put directly ontop.

[@dirkhandke3002]

Yes, it was a little bit of a pain to get the ring turning and then off, lubricating it for a while before is probably a good idea! I always use WD40, maybe not the best choice, but I always think SOMETHING BETTER THAN NOTHING! ;-)

[@guestguide2544]

For your 2004 (3rd or 4th series Caravans) Were you able to get the fuel filter unhooked and replaced or did you / would you need to do from underneath possibly lowering tank an inch or two? The previous series 96 to 2000 has two lines off the pump, one is the inlet which has a 2-1/2 to 3 ft section that has fuel filter, the filter has a small bolt that hooks to a metal tang. The other connection to pump is the return line.

[@dirkhandke3002]

It's a while ago, I don't remember what I did with the fuel filter... sorry!

[@atmoore74]

I've had to drop the tank on my 07 Caravan twice. An access panel definitely would have been a big help. The original pump quit at 103,000 miles. Unfortunately with my luck I'd end up sawing right into the gas tank.

[@dirkhandke3002]

Just triple-check before any cutting of any kind! You don't want to have an explosion! 🙂Yes, why they don't install one in any vehicle that could use one, it's hard to understand!

[@donjohnson3701]

@@dirkhandke3002Acura TL has an access hatch from the trunk to change the pump. The Japanese make service easy on their cars.

[@dirkhandke3002]

@@donjohnson3701 Yes, it seems like some car manufacturers care about there customers more than others! 🙂

[@schneurbear1502]

Where would you cut on a stx with stow and go seats? Is the tank/pump located in the same place?

[@dirkhandke3002]

Hallo Bear! Sorry, but I am not familiar with the stow & go vehicle, but I would think if you could slide under the vehicle and look around a little bit, one should be able to see if it is possible to cut an access panel somewhere or not! 🙂

[@jaywholoveseveryone1721]

What is the foil tape you used to secure the brackets to hold the 'cut-out' piece in place? Does/Will it stop rust as well? I'm a Michigander

[@dirkhandke3002]

The little metal brackets are secured to the vehicle with small metal screws and nuts, they are there, so that the cut-out piece does not fall through, something to lay on...! The duct tape I put around the cut-out metal edge, because the metal edge is so sharp, it's easy to cut oneself on that metal edge....! I am pretty sure that i also filed it down a little bit with a metal file, before I applied the duct tape.....! 🙂

[@jaywholoveseveryone1721]

@@dirkhandke3002 Oh, thanks so much for replying. I kind of figured that's what it was but I just wanted to be absolutely sure. I am new to working on my van and I have to ask ALL of the questions I feel necessary. Thanks, again. SUPERGIRL...

[@abrahammartin8447]

Wondering if the 05 caravan is the same

[@dirkhandke3002]

Hello Abraham! I am not sure, but it should be easy to find out, by sliding under the van and investigate, etc.

[@theoverqualifiedchasebrist5452]

Same issue with my 05

[@michaelc.ateoate979]

Hey if you can answer a quick question for me what is your chicken scratch on the second measurement see the one for 8 in is the other one seven and a half or something

[@dirkhandke3002]

Sorry, I don't exactly know what you are talking about.... 🙄

[@michaelc.ateoate979]

@@dirkhandke3002 so you have two measurements it looks like what is 8 in Arrow to arrow and the other one can barely read

[@dirkhandke3002]

@@michaelc.ateoate979 Yes, 7.5 inches! 7 1/2 inches! That seemed to have worked for me! It's a while ago! :-) Of course you need to double check and make sure you don't accidentally cut into something underneath! There was something there right under the metal! Do it on your own risk! :-)

[@JohnMackenzieInverness]

manufactures not interested in making life easy and it would add a few $ to the cost

[@donaldgoldman4508]

Could you say something? Anything OMG YOUR VIDEO DOSENT SHOW THE FRONT OR REAR OF THE VEHICLE AT ALL? YOUR VIDEO ACTUALLY TAKE MADE ME TAKE TWICE AS LONG

[@dirkhandke3002]

Ha ha ha! You are funny! 🙂

[@jaywholoveseveryone1721]

@@dirkhandke3002 Thanks for this video. It showed you coming in straight from the rear and down to the floor. Dang! You mean I have to remove all the junk from the rear trunk storage area AND all the seats?!? 🤣😂 just kidding. ANYTHING is better than doing it the other way. 😂 Thanks so much for showing us how to do this. ❤

[@dirkhandke3002]

@@jaywholoveseveryone1721 Ha ha ha! I guess so! 🙂

[@paulandrews9175]

What motor did urs have?

[@dirkhandke3002]

Hi Paul! My Dodge GRAND CARAVAN has the 3.3 Liter engine, V6 ! 🙂

[@larryenglish7366]

Can't You Talk ?

[@dirkhandke3002]

No! ;-) Ha ha ha!