As above really...

I am going to replace (upgrade hopefully!) my fuel pump when it arrives. I have bought a Sytec replacement from Burton Power.

Just wondering if there are any specialist tools I will need? I have standard tools but do not want to be surprised by anything needed when I get the pump out if possible!

From what I have seen it looks a straight forward change, should make sense when I have the fuel pumps on my bench!

Cheers

 

If it's the same as the RS (we replaced my sons std RS pump with a DW65 unit last weekend) then it's pretty straightforward if a little fiddly. Release all the fuel pipes at the front of the tank (these are all push release clips no tools needed). Release the tank securing straps while supporting the tank with a jack and block of wood.
Then release the filler and breather pipes and the electrical connector on the top.
Tank then drops down
Undo the big plastic securing ring to access the swirl pot (we had to use a block of wood and a couple of taps with a hammer to get it moving)
The pot releases by turning it anti clockwise.
Take the top off the swirl pot and then you're at the pump.
Refitting is a reverse of the above.

 

What kind of pump are you gonna use?

 

Thanks for the reply. I am already set on using the lazy method and accessing the fuel pump under the rear seat...

http://www.burtonpower.com/sytec-in-...facitp303.html

This is the pump I am replacing it with. It looks as though I will have to take the pump casing apart to actually replace the pump itself. Which is where I do not know if Ford used any of their 'specialist' tools.

 

I'm interested in seeing how this goes, as I'm thinking of doing mine

 

brave lad hacking up the floor, should just drop the tank as its pretty easy to do

 

I'm not so sure. Looking underneath when I replaced the fuel filter, the metal strap that is holding the tank looks in awful condition! I'd imagine any bolts etc would be corroded away...

Plus is it correct that you have to have the car jacked fairly high in order to actually remove the tank from under the car??

 

You do need a fair bit of room to drop the tank so needs to be up quite high. I'd check the bolt (only one holds both straps) first as it really isn't that hard to do. Certainly easier than cutting a hole in the floor

 

That's great thanks.

Roughly how high are we talking? Will axle stands be enough as that's all I have at home!

 

That's all we had so you'll be fine.

 

Also have a couple of slabs i found last night that I can use underneath to gain some more height.

Another negative about removing the tank is that it's just over half full. And I can't run it empty as it will cut out! Guess I will just have to try and cyphon the fuel out or lower it with the fuel in??

Thanks for your info!

 

We had a couple of gallons in the tank too. If you disconnect the filler tube from the filler neck rather than the tank you should be able to lower it without any spillage. You can then just tip it out once it's away from the car or leave it half full and try and do the work with fuel still in the tank. Personally I'd empty it once you've dropped it and refill once back in place as it'll make the whole thing easier to handle whilst trying to refit

 

Thanks for the info again bigdel.

I am going to get under there today and check the state of the fixings. Maybe give them a WD40 and clean up. Then just clean the car and replace the battery for this weekend. I think I will tackle it next weekend once the fuel has gone down a bit more.... and pray it doesn't start dying on me!

Out of interest, did you clean out the tank when you removed it? Is this something worth doing while it's off to help the new fuel pump filters?

 

No, didn't bother cleaning it out. There wasn't any crap in there as far as we could see. Being a plastic tank it's obviously not prone to rusting like some of the older cars with metal tanks, so no nasty rusty residue to contend with

 

Yes very true.

I have been and bought some new axle stands today so should get enough height now.

I checked underneath and the single bolt holding the fuel tank seems in good condition. I sprayed it with WD40 anyway and will attempt the change tomorrow with a half full tank.

I have been trying to trace a parasitic drain on my battery too today, so would like to get both jobs done tomorrow and enjoy the car!

 

Know what you mean. We've been under ours all day today putting the subframe back in. Fairly satisfied with the results

 

I also have hopefully located a small coolant leak today too. Seems to be the little plug in the thermostat housing. Something I checked first after reading about these being a common issue!

That looks fantastic!

Is the visible part of the car as clean as that?!

 

It's not concourse but it's in pretty good nick. Still a long going way to go with it, but should be a hoot to drive when it's done

 

 

Love the look of that, paintwork looks very good.

I assume that isn't a daily driver!

I bought mine a cheap runaround, but really enjoying the drive. When it's driving that is!

Need to change this fuel pump, fix the coolant leak and replace the battery. Then fingers crossed I can just concentrate on detailing it.

 

It was my lad's daily but it's being rebuilt with a mix of track and road in mind. Fully forged engine being built at the moment ready to go off to Sabre for mapping. Looking for 450hp +

 

Sounds awesome.

Have you got a project thread on here?

 

No just random posts here and there. Not organised enough for a project thread 😀

 

I'll keep my eyes open for it then!

Would like the underside of my car to look half as clean as yours!

 

Ok so I'm really struggling with this!!!

There are 2 jubilee clips on the short section of rubber hose going from the filler to the tank. Both appear to be completely 'mashed'. I cannot get anything on them to release. Flat head drive or a socket?

Has anyone got any tips to remove these please ? I don't know if I've even got enough access for any snips...

Fair to say there's been a few choice words whilst laying under the car on the drive!!!!

 

That's a pain.
Do you have a dremel or another small rotary cutting tool?
You could try cutting a new slot in the screw head with a hacksaw or aforementioned dremel

 

No unfortunately I don't have a dremel here at home.

I tried a junior hacksaw but the access is really limited.

I can't see what the screw originally was. Hardly any slot and looks more like a dome! Wish they'd just used the Ford clips.

Where they are located above the subframe it's really restricted.

 

Dunno what else to suggest mate. All I can think of is to drop the subframe to gain access but I'm pretty sure you aren't going to want to do that.
Anyone else with any bright ideas?

 

Well I managed to get the jubilee clip off closest to the tank eventually.

When I say 'off', I actually mean I rotated the pipe with pipe grips. Then managed to junior hacksaw through using about a 10mm stroke!! Best part of half hour and I managed to wedge a screwdriver in and broke the fixing.

Just about got the tank off and emptied (into the girlfriends car!), pipes and openings covered, tools tidied away and car dropped just as it got dark.

The pump will have to wait for tomorrow. I hope it's easier to get the tank back in position!

 

Good work. Bloody frustrating when little things cause you so much grief
Hopefully it'll be plain sailing from here on

 

Well I suppose it couldn't get much worse! It will be nice putting a shiny new jubilee back in its place...

 

Cling to those small victories 😂

 

Well I'd say it was fair to assume the pump needed replacing...



Old vs New

All is put back together and in the tank, which I will fit tomorrow night after work. Then turn the key and pray.

I've got myself a new battery and thermostat housing bung today too. Fitted the automatic slam panel and I will remove the resonator box on the filter housing. Should be able to enjoy the car then!

 

Nice job sorted now eh. I've ordered a few bits for mine, including a new sender unit and pump. I'm just wondering about the pump fitting the sender, is it one size fits all do you know?

 

Blimey that is in a shitty state, the one we took out was as clean as a whistle, sold it for Ł15.
Good luck getting the tank back in tomorrow

 

I've no idea pal, sorry. I just googled ST170 fuel pump and bought the recommended 'upgraded' pump from Burton Power. It was just under Ł50 delivered.

There is no chance of selling that on! The pump casing was full of shit as well. Satisfying to clean that out too!

 

A good job well done then

 

We shall see once I've started the car again... 😂

 

that is bad even the ones I break are never that bad

 

Glad I bought the replacement before inspecting it. There's no way that can be cleaned up and put back in!

14 years and 126k miles. I would assume it's the original too.