Fix It

If your Saturn is experiencing failing fuel injectors, you may want to consider using a better quality gasoline. Symptoms of faulty fuel injectors include jerking movements while driving and loud knocking sounds upon acceleration. You will need to know how to properly relieve the fuel systems pressure before performing this repair procedure. Unless otherwise noted, some steps do not require tools.

Instructions

Removing the Fuel Rail and Fuel Injectors

1

Relieve the fuel system pressure by removing the fuel cap.

2

Disconnect the negative cable from the battery with a wrench.

3

Remove the vacuum hose from the fuel pressure regulator on the fuel rail. Unbolt the two mounting bolts with a socket wrench then remove the regulator.

4

Disconnect the air intake duct by detaching the connector from the intake air temperature sensor then removing the PCV hose from the duct. Unscrew and remove the hose clamps with a flat head screwdriver at both ends of the duct.

5

Remove the EVAP canister purge hose and loosen the clamp for the coolant hose from the hose guide. Remove the hose guide and separate the PCV hose from the valve cover. Set aside the hoses.

6

Unscrew and remove the two nuts from the fuel rail mounting studs with the socket wrench. Remove the engine wiring harness cover from the valve cover and push it aside.

7

Remove the fuel supply and return lines from the fuel rail by unscrewing the two line fittings with an open-end wrench. Take out the O-rings in the holes and discard them.

8

Unplug the connectors from the fuel injectors by pulling on their locks.

9

Unscrew and remove the two fuel rail mounting nuts with the socket wrench.

10

Pull out the fuel rail/injector assembly.

11

Free the injector retainers from the small lugs on both sides with a flat head screwdriver. Pull each injector out.

Installing the New Fuel Injectors

12

Install the new fuel injectors and secure them onto the fuel rail by fastening the retainers back onto the side lugs.

13

Lubricate the O-rings on each end of the injectors with clean engine oil. Insert the fuel rail/injector assembly back into the intake manifold.

14

Install the fuel rail mounting nuts and torque them to 89 inch-pounds with a torque wrench.

15

Reconnect each electrical connector to the fuel injectors. Check to make sure they are securely locked on by slightly wiggling them.

16

Insert the new O-rings into the fuel line holes. Install the supply and return fuel lines onto the fuel rail and tightly screw on their fittings with the open-end wrench.

17

Position the engine wiring harness cover onto the valve cover. Tighten the mounting nuts over the studs with the socket wrench.

18

Follow Steps 4 and 5 in Section 1 to reconnect the EVAP and PCV hoses and the air duct.

19

Install the fuel pressure regulator onto the fuel rail and tighten its two mounting bolts with the socket wrench. Reattach the vacuum hose to the regulator.

20

Reconnect the negative cable onto the battery with the wrench. Replace the fuel cap.

21

Start your Saturn and check for any fuel leaks.

Replacing the fuel/water separator on the 2.8-liter diesel engine in your Jeep Liberty is not something that you need to do regularly, but when the time comes, a new separator assembly is available from the Jeep dealer. The fuel/water separator is important, as it works to remove moisture and sediment from the diesel fuel before it enters the fuel rails and engine. Water can damage the engine and cause it to run poorly or not at all.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the negative cable from the battery, using a wrench to remove the retaining bolt. Isolate the negative cable from the battery while you work.

2

Locate the fuel/water separator on the firewall of your Liberty. It is to the left of the engine, directly in front of the driver. Locate the two electrical connections on the front of the separator. Depress the locking tab on the connectors and remove them from the separator body. Lay the wiring connections aside.

3

Remove the hose clamp on the large fuel line at the front of the separator using a flat-head screwdriver. Pull the hose off the fitting and push it aside. Locate the second fuel line on the passengers side of the separator. Remove the hose clamp from the line with a flat-head screwdriver and pull it off the fitting.

4

Remove the two bolts that secure the separator to the firewall of the Jeep, using a socket and ratchet. Pull the assembly off the firewall. Position the new separator on the firewall and install the retaining bolts. Tighten the bolts to 63 in.-lbs. with a torque wrench.

5

Connect both fuel lines to the fittings on the new separator. Attach the hose clamps and tighten them with a flat-head screwdriver. Do not overtighten them or you will damage the rubber hose and it will fail prematurely.

6

Attach the wiring harness connectors to the front of the assembly. They are different so you cannot plug them in wrong. Push the connectors in until they snap into place.

7

Reconnect the negative cable to the battery. Reattach the retaining bolt and tighten it with a wrench.

The Accord is a mid-size car manufactured by Honda since 1976 and is still in production as of 2010. The 1990 model has a four-cylinder, 2.2L engine with electronic fuel injection. This requires the fuel pump to deliver fuel to the injectors under high pressure. The fuel pump in the 1990 Honda Accord attaches directly to the fuel tank, so you must disconnect the fuel tank to replace the fuel pump.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the cable to the negative terminal of the battery with a socket wrench, and loosen the filler cap for the fuel tank. Locate the fuel pressure release valve on the fuel rail. Hold the banjo bolt for the release valve with a 6 mm closed wrench. Wrap a shop rag around the service bolt on top of the banjo bolt. Loosen the service bolt by one complete turn with an open-end wrench to relieve the pressure in the fuel system. Tighten the service bolt to 9 foot-pounds with a torque wrench.

2

Block the front wheels and raise the rear of the vehicle on jack stands. Loosen the drain bolt of the fuel tank and drain the fuel into a container approved for gasoline. Slide the clamps on the fuel hoses back and disconnect the fuel hoses from the fuel tank. Support the fuel tank with a floor jack and remove the nuts on the fuel tank retaining straps with a socket wrench. Lower the floor jack and remove the fuel tank from the vehicle. Disconnect the mounting bolts for the fuel pump with a socket wrench and remove the fuel pump from the fuel tank.

3

Install the new fuel pump onto the fuel tank ensuring that you seat it into its proper position. Tighten the mounting bolts evenly to a torque of 48 inch-pounds with a torque wrench. Connect the fuel tank and tighten the nuts on the restraining strap to 27 foot-pounds with a torque wrench.

4

Remove the service bolt on the fuel pressure regulator on the fuel rail. Disconnect the hose from the fuel pressure regulator and plug the open end of the hose. Attach a fuel pressure gauge to the pressure regulator.

5

Start the engine and note the reading on the fuel pressure gauge while the engine is idling. The fuel pressure in a 1990 Honda Accord should be in the range of 36 to 41 psi. Check for a clogged or pinched fuel return hose if the pressure is too high. Look for leaks in the fuel line, a faulty pressure regulator or a clogged fuel filter if the pressure is too low.

6

Wrap a shop rag around the fitting for the pressure gauge. Loosen the fitting slowly, until you can remove the pressure gauge. Place new washers on the service bolt and tighten it to 9 foot-pounds with a torque wrench.

The Dodge RAM is a series of pickup trucks in a variety of carrying capacities and trim levels. The 1997 models use multi-port fuel injection to deliver fuel to the engine under high pressure. The fuel pump in these vehicles is part of a module that also includes the fuel gauge sending unit and float. The fuel pump module in a 1997 Dodge RAM is attached to the top of the fuel tank, so you must disconnect the fuel tank to install a new fuel pump.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the negative battery cable with a socket wrench to ensure you dont inadvertently attempt to start the engine. Open the filler cap for the fuel tank to relieve the pressure in the fuel tank and remove the cap from the fuel pressure port on the fuel rail.

2

Attach a fuel pressure gauge to the fuel pressure port and place the open end of the pressure gauges hose into a gasoline container. Open the pressure gauge to relieve the fuel pressure in the fuel system. Remove the pressure gauge from the fuel pressure port and replace the cap.

3

Pump the fuel from the fuel tank into a gasoline container with a hose. Raise the vehicle with a floor jack and support it with jack stands. Disconnect the fuel line and electrical connection from the fuel gauge unit. Remove the mounting screws for the filler tube assembly with a socket wrench and disconnect the filler tube from the fuel tank.

4

Support the fuel tank with a transmission jack and remove the nuts for the fuel tanks mounting straps. Lower the tank slightly with the transmission jack so you can detach the fill hose and vent hose to the fuel tank. Remove the electrical connections for the fuel tank. Disconnect the evaporative emissions line and the fuel supply line. Remove the fuel tank from the vehicle.

5

Disconnect the fuel line to the fuel pump module. Clean the fuel tank around the fuel pump module with the shop towel to ensure that debris doesnt fall into the fuel tank when you replace the fuel pump.

6

Turn the locking ring for the fuel pump module counterclockwise with a socket wrench. Remove the locking ring from the fuel pump module, and clean the fuel filter at the bottom of the fuel pump module. Discard the gasket for the fuel pump module.

7

Install the new fuel pump module and its gasket by performing steps three through six in reverse. Tighten the locking ring for the fuel pump module to 40 ft-lbs. with a torque wrench. Fill the fuel tank with fuel and connect the negative terminal for the battery with a socket wrench.

The Ford Econoline (E-150) model of van was introduced in the 1960s and had a major redesign in 1975 that lasted through 1991. As of 2010, models of this van are still in production. This van is still the base model that most commercial delivery vans are built off of, and it shares many chassis and undercarriage elements with the F-series truck.

Gas Tank Capacity

The original equipment fuel tank for the Ford E-150 van is a 22-gallon fuel tank. Replacement parts are available.

Gas Tank Placement

The E-150 places the fuel tank behind the rear axle of the van in the 1989 model; after 1992, the placement of the fuel tank was changed to accommodate a 37-gallon fuel tank.

Gas Tank Construction

Like nearly every gas tank made since the 1960s, the gas tanks for the E-150 are made out of steel, coated with zinc as an anti-corrosion barrier.

The 1979 Cadillac Eldorado had an eight-cylinder 5.7-lilter engine with fuel injection that required a low-pressure fuel system. The fuel pump in the 1979 Cadillac Eldorado pressurizes fuel to between 9 and 13 pounds per square inch. The fuel pump in this vehicle attaches to the fuel tank, requiring the removal of the fuel tank to install the fuel pump.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the cable on the negative terminal for the battery with a socket wrench to prevent the unintentional discharge of electricity. Open the door to the fuel tank filler, and disconnect the electrical connector for the fuel sending unit.

2

Remove the protective cap for the pressure fitting on the fuel line, and connect G.M. tool no. J-5420 to the pressure fitting. Wrap a shop rag around the pressure fitting, and slowly open the valve on the tool to relieve the pressure in the fuel system. Disconnect the tool from the pressure fitting, and replace the protective cap.

3

Siphon the fuel from the fuel tank into a gasoline container. Raise and support the rear of the vehicle with jack stands, and disconnect the ground wire for the fuel sending unit with a screwdriver. Detach the fuel lines from the fuel tank, and support the fuel tank with a wooden block on top of a jack. Remove the screws for the support straps of the fuel tank. Lower the fuel tank slightly, so you can disconnect the electrical connector for the fuel pump. Lower the fuel tank completely, and remove it from the vehicle.

4

Remove the nuts that fasten the fuel gauge unit to the fuel tank with a socket wrench. Turn the locking ring for the fuel pump counterclockwise with a brass punch and hammer. Remove the locking ring, and lift the fuel pump from the fuel tank.

5

Install the new fuel pump by performing steps 1 through 4 in reverse order. Tighten the screws for the fuel tank retaining strap to 25 ft. lbs. with a torque wrench. Start the engine, and check for fuel leaks.

Several things can cause a fuel pump to begin to fail, such as electrical problems which can prevent an adequate amount of voltage from flowing through the circuit that supplies power to the fuel pump. The failing fuel pump can then cause other problems that vehicle owners should be aware of.

Vapor Lock

Residual fuel pressure should remain in a vehicles fuel system even if a fuel pump has quit running. However, a leaky fuel pump can allow the system to lose pressure rapidly. In hot temperatures, a vehicle can experience vapor lock if residual fuel pressure gets too low.

Pressure

After checking a fuel pumps pressure specifications, a test can then be performed to compare that with the current pressure being produced by the pump. A pressure reading that isnt high enough often indicates a weak and failing fuel pump.

Tests

There are several types of test that can be performed on a fuel pump to see if its failing, such as a dead pressure test which reveals the total output pressure of the fuel pump. Another test is called a fuel volume test which is helpful in making sure the fuel pump is supplying enough fuel to meet the engines needs.

The Power Stroke engines are a series of diesel engines that Ford manufactures for its heavy trucks. Ford made the 7.3-liter Power Stroke engine from 1995 to 2002, primarily for its line of Super Duty trucks. The engines in these vehicles use fuel injection, requiring a high-pressure fuel system to deliver fuel to the engine. The fuel pump for a 7.3-liter Power Stroke engine is on the undercarriage of the vehicle.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the cables on both negative battery terminals with a socket wrench to prevent the inadvertent discharge of fuel during the fuel pump replacement. Open the drain valve for the fuel filter with a socket wrench to relieve the fuel pressure. Replace the drain valve.

2

Raise the vehicle with a jack and support it with jack stands. Disconnect the wiring harness on the back of the fuel pump next to the frame rail.

3

Remove the retaining clip from the fuel line and detach the fuel line from the fuel pump. Disconnect the retaining clip that attaches the brake lines to the fuel pump bracket.

4

Disconnect the pinch bolt from the fuel pump bracket with a socket wrench. Push the bracket open and remove the fuel pump.

5

Place the new fuel pump in the fuel pump mounting bracket. Fasten the pinch bolt to the fuel pump mounting bracket and tighten it to 13 ft. lbs. with a torque wrench. Attach the brake lines to the mounting bracket with the retaining clip. Connect the fuel line to the fuel pump.

6

Attach the wiring harness to the fuel pump and lower the vehicle. Fasten the cables for the negative battery terminals with a socket wrench. Start the vehicle and check for leaks in the fuel system.

The Mercedes Benz 380SL is a mid-size sedan that was in production from 1981 to 1985 in the United States. The 1984 model had an eight-cylinder 3.8-liter engine with fuel injection. Each cylinder in the engine receives a specific quantity of fuel from its fuel injector at a precise point in the cylinders compression cycle. The installation procedure for fuel injectors in a 1984 Mercedes Benz 380SL also requires you to bleed the fuel system.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the negative battery terminal with a socket wrench to prevent the accidental discharge of fuel during the procedure. Remove the fuel line and the fuel overflow tubes from the fuel injectors with a flare nut wrench.

2

Turn the each fuel injector counterclockwise with a socket wrench, and remove the injector from the cylinder head. Discard the washer for the fuel injector.

3

Mount a new washer onto each fuel injector. Install the new fuel injector to its cylinder head with a socket wrench.

4

Connect the fuel overflow tubes and the fuel line to the fuel injectors with a flare nut wrench.

5

Open the bleed screw on the fuel rail with a screw driver, and attach the hose for a hand pump to the bleed valve. Evacuate the air from the fuel rail with the pump, and tighten the bleed screw.

6

Connect the negative battery terminal with a socket wrench. Start the engine and check for fuel leaks.

The Chevrolet S-10 Blazer was a mid-size SUV manufactured from 1983 to 2005, with the last major redesign occurring in 1995. The 2004 Blazer had a 6-cylinder 4.3L engine with multi-port fuel injection requiring a high-pressure electric fuel pump. The procedure for replacing the fuel pump is the same in all versions of this vehicle. The fuel pump is part of the fuel-sending unit on the fuel tank, so you must remove the fuel tank in order to replace the fuel pump.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the cable to the negative terminal of the battery with a socket wrench. Install Fuel Pressure Gauge J 34730-1A to the fuel pressure connection on the fuel rail. Loosen the fill cap for the fuel tank, and open the valve on the fuel pressure gauge. Disconnect the fuel pressure gauge from the fuel pressure connection.

2

Drain the fuel tank and support it with jack stands. Remove the filler neck for the fuel tank. Disconnect the fuel tank shield and the retaining straps for the fuel tank. Detach the fuel lines and electrical connector from the fuel pump. Disconnect the fasteners for the fuel tank with a socket wrench and lower the fuel tank from the vehicle with the jack stands.

3

Turn the locking ring on the fuel tank counter-clockwise with a spanner wrench. Remove the locking ring and detach the fuel pump from the fuel-sending unit. Discard the O-ring that is on the fuel tank.

4

Install the new O-ring on the fuel tank and lower the fuel-sending unit into the fuel tank. Avoid damaging the fuel strainer as this can restrict fuel flow. Turn the locking ring clockwise with a spanner wrench. The cam-locking ring will lock into position under the locking tabs.

5

Connect the fuel tank to the vehicle and tighten the fasteners to 33 ft. lbs. with a torque wrench. Attach the fuel lines and electrical connector for the fuel pump. Fasten the restraining straps and shield for the fuel tank. Connect the filler neck for the fuel tank. Connect the cable to the batterys negative terminal. Start the engine check for fuel leaks.

The Chrysler Concorde was a full-size, four-door sedan with front-wheel drive manufactured from 1993 to 2004. The most common engine in the 1993 model was a six-cylinder 3.3-liter engine with fuel injection. The fuel injectors send fuel to the engine and are part of the fuel rail assembly. The majority of the fuel injector replacement procedure for a 1993 Concorde deals with removing and installing the fuel rail assembly from the engine.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the negative battery cable with a socket wrench to prevent the engine from starting during the procedure. Loosen the cap on the fuel tank to relieve the pressure in the fuel tank. Remove the cap for the fuel pressure test port on the fuel rail.

2

Place the open end of the hose on tool C-4799-1 into a container approved for gasoline. Connect tool C-4799-1 to the fuel pressure test port and open the valve on the tool. Allow the fuel to drain into the container to relieve the pressure in the fuel system. Disconnect tool C-4799-1 from the fuel pressure test port and replace the cap on the fuel pressure test port.

3

Detach the air plenum from the throttle body and the air cleaner. Hold the throttle in the open position, and remove the linkages for the cruise control and throttle body from the throttle shaft.

4

Detach the electrical connectors from the exhaust gas recirculation valve and manifold absolute pressure sensor. Disconnect the vacuum hoses from the positive crankcase ventilation valve and the fuel pressure regulator. Remove the brake booster hose and throttle body purge hose from the intake manifold.

5

Detach the electrical connectors from the throttle position sensor and the idle air control motor. Disconnect the mounting screws for the exhaust gas recirculation tube with a socket wrench and remove the tube from the upper intake manifold. Disconnect the mounting bolts for the intake manifold plenum and remove the plenum from the engine.

6

Detach the fuel line from the fuel rail by pushing the quick-disconnect fitting on the fuel line with Special Quick-Connect Fitting Tool 6751. Wrap shop towels around the fuel line and disconnect the fuel line from the fuel rail. Disconnect the clamp on the fuel line with a socket wrench and remove the fuel line from its bracket.

7

Turn the fuel injectors on the fuel rail towards the center of the engine, and detach the electrical connectors from the fuel injectors. Disconnect the mounting bolts for the fuel rail and lift the fuel rail directly up from the engine.

8

Remove the retainer clip for the fuel injector and pull the injector out of the fuel rail. Install new O-rings to the new fuel injector and apply a light coat of engine oil to the upper O-ring. Install the fuel injector onto the fuel rail and attach its retainer clip. Apply a light coat of engine oil to the nozzle end of the fuel injector.

9

Complete the installation of the fuel injectors by performing steps two through six in reverse sequence. Tighten the mounting bolts for the fuel rail to 16 ft. lbs. with a torque wrench. Torque the mounting bolts for the intake manifold plenum to 21 ft. lbs. Connect the negative battery cable with a socket wrench.

The Acura 3.5 RL, also known as the Acura Legend, is a mid-level luxury car manufactured by Honda from 1996 to 2004. It had a six-cylinder 3.5-liter engine with multi-port fuel injection. This type of fuel injection requires the fuel pump to deliver highly pressurized fuel to the fuel injectors. The fuel pump in the Acura 3.5 RL is on top of the fuel tank and is accessible from the rear seat of the vehicle.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the negative battery cable with a socket wrench to prevent sparking. Open the filler cap for the fuel tank to relieve the pressure in the fuel tank.

2

Wrap a shop towel around the banjo bolt on top of the fuel filter. Hold the fuel filter with an open-end wrench. Loosen the banjo bolt slowly by one complete turn with a box-end wrench to relieve the pressure in the fuel system. Tighten the banjo bolt to its original position with the box-end wrench.

3

Remove the rear seat cushion and open the access panel on the floor of the passenger compartment. Disconnect the electrical connector from the fuel pump.

4

Remove the mounting nuts for the fuel pump with a socket wrench. Lift the fuel pump from the fuel tank.

5

Place the new fuel pump into the fuel tank and fasten the mounting bolts with a socket wrench. Attach the electrical connector for the fuel pump. Close the access panel and replace the rear seat cushion. Reconnect the negative battery cable.

The Toyota MasterAce is a van that Toyota marketed as the Toyota Van in North American markets. This vehicle was available from 1982 to 1989. All versions of the Toyota Van in the United States had fuel-injected engines. The fuel pump in the 1986 Toyota Van is attached to the fuel sending unit on the fuel tank. This requires you to remove the fuel tank before you can replace the fuel pump.

Instructions

1

Remove the cable from the batterys negative terminal with a socket wrench. This will prevent you from starting the engine accidentally while you are replacing the fuel pump. Place one end of a hose into the fuel tank and the other end into a container for gasoline. Siphon as much fuel as possible from the tank.

2

Raise the vehicle with a jack and support it on jack stands. Disconnect the fuel lines and electrical wiring from the fuel tank. Support the fuel tank with a jack and disconnect the mounting bolts for the fuel tank with a socket wrench. Detach the fuel tank from the vehicle and move the fuel tank to your work area.

3

Disconnect the mounting screws for the field pump on the fuel tank with a socket wrench. Remove the mounting plate for the fuel pump. Lift the fuel pump assembly out of the fuel tank.

4

Pull the fuel pump away from its lower mounting bracket. Disconnect the nuts on the fuel pump with a socket wrench. Detach the electrical wiring from the fuel pump and fuel lines from the fuel pump. Remove and discard the rubber gasket. Release the retaining clip for the fuel pump filter and detach the filter from the fuel pump.

5

Install the new fuel pump and gasket by performing steps 2 through 4 in reverse order. Fill the tank with fuel. Connect the negative battery terminal with a socket wrench. Start the engine and check for fuel leaks.

General Motors is one of the Big Three American auto manufacturers, all of whose vehicles have problems from time to time, including design defects with a fuel sending unit or other parts. GM has a customer assistance center to accept public complaints. There are a few ways to try to resolve issues with this large corporation. Car owners who have mechanical or design issues with their fuel sending units should learn the process for filing a complaint through either the dealership who sold the vehicle or through GMs national complaint process.

Instructions

1

Write out the complaint about your GM fuel sending unit, either by hand or on a computer. Put down your observations and why you think there is a problem with this car part. This includes the full history of problems you have had with the fuel sending unit.

2

Make extra copies of the complaint letter so you can send the original to GM. You should also have a copy available for the GM car dealership and your lawyer if you choose to hire one.

3

Visit the dealer who sold the GM car. Even if you do not have a warranty at that time, or bought the vehicle used, the dealer may be able to resolve the problem. You can also determine if there has been a recall on the GM fuel sending unit or any related car parts.

4

Find the specific customer assistance center telephone number for your GM model. On the General Motors website, there is a "Frequently Asked Questions: Maintenance, Service and Repair" page. Click on the "Who do I contact if I have a concern with my vehicle?" link to find the list of phone numbers for each GM car model.

5

Call the customer assistance center with your car models assigned phone number if the dealership cannot or will not resolve the problem. You may also wish to file a national GM complaint if you have reason to believe that there is a design defect with a particular models fuel sending unit.

6

Send the complaint letter as follow-up correspondence to the phone call. This ensures that GM cannot claim that you never called to make a formal complaint. You may wish to send this as certified mail to ensure that it arrives at GM. This is another layer of protection to establish a record of your complaint. Send the complaint letter to:
General Motors Company
P.O. Box 33170
Detroit, MI 48232-5170

Vehicle sensors communicate engine performance information to a cars on board computer. This information can take the form of a diagnostic trouble code, or DTC, like the code described as "Lack of HO2S21 Switch-Adaptive Fuel at Limit."

Identification

The HO2S21 code, also referred to as P1130, is specific to Ford Motor Companys computer codes. It references the failure of heated oxygen sensors, numbered one and two, within the vehicles emissions system.

Meaning of Failure Code

The P1130 trouble code occurs once the heated oxygen sensor, or sensors, fails to switch between reports of a rich or lean oxygen amount vented from the engines combustion chamber. This code points to either a problem with the sensors themselves or a malfunction within the emissions system.

Considerations

The sensors electrical supply may be compromised by water damage to the sensors harness, or a failure of the entire sensor.

All engines have some source of energy (fuel), whether that energy is electricity, gasoline, hydrogen or some other source. And because all vehicles have engines, all vehicles therefore need an energy source. If the energy source is a liquid fuel such as gasoline, the design of the vehicle typically requires a way to get the liquid fuel from the gas tank to the carburetor and fuel system. In most vehicles, this method is the fuel pump. There are different types of fuel pumps, and what follows is an explanation of the different types and where theyre found.

Mechanical Pumps

Mechanical fuel pumps are one of the two main types of fuel pumps. These pumps are used on carburated engines. They are called mechanical pumps because they operate mechanically---meaning, their operation is dependent on the turning of a cam shaft, which manipulates a lever that pulls on a diaphragm; the diaphragm operates valves that allow fuel out of the tank and into the fuel system. These pumps are low-pressure pumps and operate at only about 4 to 6 psi. They typically are mounted on the engine.

Electric Pumps

Electric fuel pumps are the second main type of fuel pump. Theyre used on engines with fuel injection systems. These pumps dont require an eccentric cam on a cam shaft to operate, and they can operate at much higher pressures than mechanical fuel pumps. Most electric fuel pumps operate at 30 to 40 psi. Some fuel injection systems make use of two electric fuel pumps: One is mounted in the tank, and the other is mounted on or near the engine.

Turbo Pumps

A third type of fuel pump is not as well-known, because it is found only in jet and rocket engines. These pumps are called turbo pumps. They are centrifugal and get their propulsion from either a ram-air device or a gas turbine.

Safety

Of the two main types of fuel pumps, electric pumps are considered the safest. This is because they often make use of two separate devices. The first device is an electronic control unit (ECU), which is designed to stop the pump from operating in the instance of an accident. The second device is an inertia switch. This switch keeps the pump from operating if it senses that the vehicle has overturned. Also, the placement of the electric fuel pump within the gas reduces the risk of a fire, because liquid gasoline is less combustible than gasoline vapors.

Pros and Cons

There are pros and cons to both the main types of fuel pumps. Manual pumps can be easier and cheaper to replace than electrical fuel pumps, because the electrical pump has different components and is submerged in gasoline. However, electrical fuel pumps are more efficient than mechanical pumps due to their ability to run at higher pressures, and because they are becoming the standard type of pump on vehicles, the right electrical fuel pump may be easier to find if it needs replacing than a mechanical pump.

An automobile wouldnt get very far without a fuel system. Each fuel system component performs a specific function in the retaining, filtering and moving of fuel from its storage compartment all the way into the engine block. The system ensures that the fuel reaches the engine as free of harmful particles as possible, creating optimal conditions for combustion and performance.

Fuel Tank

As the name would indicate, a fuel tank is a container that stores a vehicles fuel. Fuel tanks have a filler tube with an opening on the side of the vehicle for adding fuel to the tank. The tank also has an electronic "trigger" that relays information to the gas gauge regarding the amount of fuel in the tank.

Fuel Pump

Modern automobiles have a fuel pump attached directly to or inside the fuel tank. Older vehicles generally have one attached to the engine. Pumps mounted near the fuel tank use electricity to pull fuel from the tank toward the engine. Automobiles with fuel pumps attached near the engine use gravity to pull fuel into the engine.

Fuel Filter

Fuel filters are critical for optimal performance and long engine life. These components are usually installed at both ends of the fuel pump to filter particles that would otherwise inhibit combustion and clog engine components. Regular inspection of fuel filters is necessary to keep a fuel system performing at a high level.

Fuel Injectors

Fuel systems built after 1986 have fuel injectors. These electronic valves open and close to send a computer-controlled mixture of air and fuel into the engine block. This speeds up the combustion process, allows for faster engine response during acceleration, improves fuel economy and lowers vehicle emissions. Fuel injectors depend greatly on properly functioning fuel filters to maintain peak performance levels.

Carburetors

A carburetor is the predecessor of fuel injection. This component uses gravity to create the appropriate mixture of air and fuel before sending it into the engine block. The device is relatively simple in construction but requires frequent maintenance and is less efficient than fuel injection.

Ford Motors produced the Fairlane Ranchero in 1967. Valued by collectors as a car-truck hybrid, knowing the original specifications -- such as fuel capacity -- is essential to restorers and customizers.

Ford Ranchero

Ford Motor Company produced the Ranchero from 1957 to 1979. During its run, Ford changed the body concept five times. In 1967, Ford adopted the Fairlane body style, made other sporty modifications and added a high-powered V8, 320-hp, 390-4v engine. Available in three styles, the Fairlane Ranchero is very popular with collectors.

Fuel Capacity

All three models of the 1967 Ford Fairlane Ranchero had a 20-gallon fuel tank. This is the same fuel capacity as the 1966.

Ranchero Trivia

Many parts for the Fairlane Ranchero are interchangeable with the Fairlane station wagon. An air conditioner and an AM radio were optional equipment. In 1967, Ford Motor Company produced approximately 17,000 Rancheros divided across the three styles.

The Subaru Impreza WRX is an all-wheel vehicle available as a wagon or sedan. Subaru has manufactured the Impreza WRX since 1992 and completely updated this vehicle line in 2002. The 2002 WRX wagon has a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with sequential fuel injection, requiring a high-pressure fuel system. The fuel pump in this vehicle is accessible from the rear passenger compartment. The installation of a new fuel pump in a 2002 WRX wagon also requires you to relieve the fuel system pressure and drain the fuel tank.

Instructions

1

Remove the rear seat cushion to expose the access cover for the fuel pump. Disconnect the mounting bolts for the access cover with a socket wrench and remove the access cover. Detach the electrical harness from the fuel pump and start the engine. Allow the engine to stall and crank it again for at least five seconds to ensure that the fuel system is empty.

2

Disconnect the cable on the negative battery terminal with a socket wrench. Raise the vehicle with a jack and support it on jack stands. Place a gasoline container under the drain on the fuel tank and remove the front cover for the fuel tank. Remove the drain plug for the fuel tank and drain the fuel into the container.

3

Fasten the drain plug and tighten it to between 14 and 24 pound-feet with a socket wrench. Replace the front cover for the fuel tank and and torque its retainers to between 9.4 and 16.6 pound-feet.

4

Detach the fuel lines from the fuel pump and remove the mounting nuts for the fuel pump with a socket wrench. Pull the fuel pump assembly from the fuel tank and discard the gasket.

5

Place the new gasket into the mounting groove on the fuel tank and install the new fuel pump assembly. Tighten the mounting nuts for the fuel pump assembly to 3 pound-feet with a torque wrench.

6

Connect the electrical harness and fuel lines to the fuel pump assembly and lower the vehicle. Replace the fuel pump cover and fasten the mounting bolts with a socket wrench. Replace the rear seat cushion and connect the negative battery terminal. Start the engine and check the fuel system for leaks.

The Vortec engine is a line of gasoline engines made by General Motors for its trucks since 1988. These engines use a technology that creates a vortex of fuel and air in the combustion chamber to improve the mixture of air and fuel. The most common Vortec engine in a 1995 vehicle is the 4300, a six-cylinder 4.3-liter engine with multi-point fuel injection. The fuel injector replacement procedure is generally the same for all Vortec engines made before 1999.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the cable from the negative battery terminal with a socket wrench. Open the filler cap on the fuel tank to relieve the pressure in the fuel tank. Remove the air cleaner from the intake manifold.

2

Squeeze the two tabs on the fuel injectors electrical connector, and pull it straight up to disconnect the electrical wiring from the fuel injector. Disconnect the cover for the fuel meter with a socket wrench, and discard its gasket.

3

Lift the fuel injector from the fuel meter with tool No. J-26868, and remove the small O-ring from the fuel injector. Remove the fuel filter from the injector by twisting the fuel filter back and forth. Remove the large O-ring and washer from the injector cavity in the fuel meter.

4

Coat the new small O-rings in automatic transmission fluid, and install them to the nozzle end of the fuel injector. Place the new washer into the injector cavity of the fuel meter, so that it is flush with the top of the cavity.

5

Install the new fuel injector so the lug on its base aligns with the notch in the injector cavity. Push the fuel injector down to seat it within the injector cavity, and ensure the injectors electrical terminals are parallel to the shaft of the throttle.

6

Replace the gasket for the fuel meter cover, and fasten the cover with a socket wrench. Attach the electrical connector for the fuel injector. Start the engine and check for fuel leaks.