1998 XC70 How do I drain fuel tank ?

johnhon · Post by **johnhon** » 30 Nov 2014, 13:10

I'm beginning the job of replacing my fuel pump. The car is in a no start mode. Of course, the gas tank was just filled so I'm trying to figure out how to drain the tank so I can remove the pump. I can't get a siphon to work, so I need a work around. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 30 Nov 2014, 15:54

When I replaced the pumps on my XC's I got lucky and the tank was just low enough that I could pull it off. With the pump that I pulled from the wreck to put into the new car I wasn't so lucky, it too had just been filled but in that case the pump was working and I just yanked the Schrader valve core and and plugged a piece of fuel line into the end of the fuel rail and then hot wired the pump to transfer the gas to Jerry cans.

I had a similar situation with my boat and I had to pump out 55 gallons. My boat has a Chevy 350 with a mechanical pump but I bought a cheap electric inline pump and installed it just ahead of a line connection at the fuel filter. The pump I got was specified for a mid 80s Buick.

The rub on the inline pumps is that they do a great job of pushing fuel but not such a great job of pulling it and I don't know how much of an impediment the bad pump is going to be for you to get the pump to prime. The inline pumps are around $25.00 and it will really have no value after it does its one task. For me, getting the 55 gallons out of the boat was worth the price and I figured it didn't owe me anything else.

One other thing to try is to to set up a line to your catch can, jumper the fuel pump relay, and then beat on the bottom of the fuel tank with a hammer. Your old pump might have one more cycle left in it.

...Lee

johnhon · Post by **johnhon** » 30 Nov 2014, 16:14

Thank you for your insight and great input into this forum. I'll try the fuel pump relay jumper method and post back my results. Do you know why siphoning the tank doesn't work? Is it because of the routing of the fill tube? Thanks.

Post by **cn90** » 30 Nov 2014, 18:08

You may want to read this thread:

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/topic/14 ... d-install/

johnhon · Post by **johnhon** » 14 Dec 2014, 13:40

The relay jumper worked like a charm to drain the tank! I installed a new pump (ProParts from Eeuroparts) and my car still won't start. There's no fuel pressure at the rail now. Is it possible to install the pump incorrectly? Maybe it's a bad pump? I installed it in the same orientation as the old one and ran the new wiring harness to the connectors behind the rear seat. I'm getting spark at the plugs. The pump runs when the key is in position 2 for a few seconds. Any other suggestions? Thanks.

Post by **cn90** » 14 Dec 2014, 15:30

IIRC, somewhere in forum people mention the need to reverse the wiring if you use Proparts brand (I may be wrong).
Best is to use Walbro, which is OEM.

Post by **rspi** » 15 Dec 2014, 06:55

I would think that you could pull the fuel tank cap and disconnect the fuel filter and fuel will leak out that line for a long time.

As for your issue, why would you replace a fuel pump that is able to empty the tank?

Post by **rspi** » 15 Dec 2014, 07:02

johnhon · Post by **johnhon** » 15 Dec 2014, 08:07

Thank you for those links, Robert! I checked out (and subscribed) to your YouTube channel. Great info! I have a related problem I'm trying to figure out.

I installed a new fuel pump by ProParts Sweeden. Now, when I check my fuel rail for pressure at the schrader valve I get nothing, but the pump runs when in key position 2. Not even a dribble of fuel so I'm still in a cranking no start situation. I'm getting spark. I've read on other forums where the aftermarket pumps are sometimes wired with reversed polarity. Do you know how I would check that? Do I have to remove the pump again? Thanks

Post by **rspi** » 15 Dec 2014, 21:55

Remove the pump or figure out which wires will reverse polarity.

Disconnect the fuel line at the filter, jump the relay and see if the pump starts to dump fuel out of that line.