5kcstq parts ordered, FP replacement ???'s

["Ken Keith" <auditude@neta.com>]

For peace of mind, I decided to go ahead and order brand new 
parts for my "new" '88 5kcstq.  I could try to save money by 
performing the fuel pump intake screen removal and junk cleanup 
per the TSB, but the pump is 11 years and 163k miles old.  

I am currently driving a rental car, provided by the insurance 
company for a limited time until they decide my Saturn is gone for 
good.  If it turned out the TSB procedure didn't help, then I would be 
down for even longer as the parts are ordered and installed.  I could 
conceivably be without a car at all.  So for safety's sake, I just got 
the parts.  Hopefully, this will buy me another 11 years before the 
pump needs attention.  (That's my justification.)

Does anyone know if new fuel pumps come with the screen, that 
will need to be removed before installation?  Also, are there any 
drain plugs for the gas tank that I could use to empty the tank for 
the procedure?  I'm not looking forward to swishing around in the 
1/4 full tank, and I can't run it until it is emptier because it doesn't 
run.

What can I expect to find in the tank, as far as residue or sediment 
from the "experimental" lining Audi put in the tank that flakes off 
and clogs the intake screen?  Are they like big paint flakes or what?

Should I leave the old fuel filter in, until I run the car for a period 
with the new fuel pump, just to keep any nasties out of my new 
filter?  Or should I replace them both at the same time?  Am I 
thinking wrong, and I should take the opportunity to remove any 
nasties manually before I button everything up?

And how about the special tool that is needed to remove the pump, 
or get to the pump?  I collected some posts from the archives, as 
many as I could find, about replacing the fuel pump.  One of them 
described using a brass drift to drive the retaining ring 
counterclockwise instead of using the tool.  I was wondering if a 
wooden dowel would work as well.  I think the critical thing is that 
there are no sparks.  Is this the best way to go?  Should I try to 
track down the correct tool?  Anyone got one they can lend or rent 
me?

Also, I ordered a new bomb.  I considered having it recharged, and 
didn't have any real reason not to try that route.  I guess I felt it was 
quicker and "more sure" to just get a new one.  I just bought the 
car, so my current part purchases I can "roll into" the purchase 
price, so I don't feel quite so bad spending so much money.  I still 
have to fix the a/c, tint the windows, and get the suspension 
squared away.  I'd like to find some 17" wheels too, for an un-retail 
price.

I gotta get all this chickenspit stuff done so I can chip the thing!

Thanks for reading all this,

Ken