100 V6 Fuel Pump Replacement BTDTs?

[Robert Myers]

--
Kneale,

I just had my tank open about a week ago.  At reinstallation there was an
almost indiscernible odor of gasoline - well below the explosive
limit.  Now, I must also state that I was VERY careful not to spill fuel
outside the tank during the process.  I also replaced only the fuel gauge
sender portion of the tank's contents and not the fuel pump.  I did not
need to remove anything which was capable of carrying very much fuel along
with it when it came out (such as a fuel pump full of fuel).  Nor did I
need to stick my hand/arm down into the tank.

The reinstall process requires replacing the O-ring and then the fastener
ring plus a couple of external hose connections and the electrical
connections.  Place the O-ring in position, lay the clamping ring in place
(pretty much shutting off the fume source), attach the hoses.  If necessary
wait a while and/or ventilate with a fan for a while and any spilled
gasoline will evaporate and end up well below the lower explosive
limit.  Then retighten the clamping ring.

The hazard, in my case, was minimal.  However, YMMV and erring on the side
of safety isn't necessarily a bad idea.  Certainly if there is a strong
fuel odor then definitely use non-sparking tools.  I was merely pointing
out that the hazard isn't quite up to the panic level if you work carefully
and don't spill any significant amount of fuel.

At 10:30 AM 9/9/02, Kneale Brownson wrote:

>At 08:38 AM 09/09/2002 -0400, Robert Myers wrote:
>
>>--
>>Andrew,
>>
>>I understand your concern about sparks but keep in mind that when the
>>hammer/screwdriver technique is being used the tank is pretty well sealed
>>and fumes in ignitable concentrations are unlikely to be present.
>But, Bob, what about the REINSTALL of the ring?  If you use a
>hammer/screwdriver to take it off when there is relatively low likelihood
>of an explosion, you're more likely to use the same technique when
>replacing the ring, and then there will be more fumes.
>
>
>
>
>
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Bob
*****
  Robert L. Myers   304-574-2372
  Rt. 4, Box 57,  Fayetteville, WV 25840 USA   WV tag Q SHIP
  '95 urS6  Cashmere Grey - der Wunderwagen    ICQ 22170244
  http://www.cob-net.org/church/pvcob.htm
*****
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