Don't Ruin Your Car or Truck With This Fuel Pump Hack!

Some cars and trucks have inaccessible fuel pumps, because they are mounted inside the fuel tank, and there is no way to reach them without removing the tank. Don't be tempted to take shortcuts! In this video, Andy shows you what happens when you take a shortcut instead of doing the job the right way!

Check out this playlist for other tips form our mechanics!

⚠ DISCLAIMER:
While 1A Auto strives to make the information provided in this video as accurate as possible, it makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or applicability of the content. No information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. All do-it-yourself projects entail some risk. It is the sole responsibility of the viewer to assume this risk. 1A Auto is not responsible or liable for any loss damage (including, but not limited to, actual, consequential, or punitive), liability, claim, or any other injury or cause related to or resulting from any information posted in this video.

[AAuto]

√ *Watch the Video*
√ *Do it Yourself*
√ *Save Money*

[grlcrsh]

when your broken down on the side of the road, that access panel hack is perfect and makes a quick replacement so you can continue on your journey vs paying $1000+ which most dont have. Some butyl and a sheet metal cover is perfectly fine

[Dallasl_andscaping_.]

This hack will save you a lot of money. I paid about $100 for a pump on eBay and did this to my Tahoe.
Mechanics are not always right and most in Dallas will rip you off given an open checkbook and a parts cannon.

[doibing]

Sheet metal metal nibbler. No sparks, no risk of anything. If you're doing it right, you are using a silicon gasket sealer, you're reattaching a 1/8th peice of sheetmetal ontop of the existing cutout peice and using short self tapping screws to reaffix the panel back on for any future access to the fuel pump.

[MacAutoDiag]

This actually is very smart. He made the correct measurements and cut accordingly and didn't cut any hoses. I'd do this to my vehicle in a heartbeat

[KendrasEdge]

All the “scary warnings” yet plenty of companies put access panels above the fuel pump location. If you’ve got this style and have to replace the pump, you can buy the access panel from another vehicle and have that put in above the fuel pump while you’ve got the tank dropped and then any future pump replacements will be as easy as a few bolts under the seat. The pumps have gaskets so it’s not going to let fuel vapors into the truck like the man states in the beginning of this video. Like others said, this makes the labor charge a lot less for the shops to charge therefor less money for them to charge for the job!
God bless~

[jerryakamuadams]

blame the lazy manufacters for not putting in an access panel like they have in some cars

[danh]

Not all us have a lift to remove the fuel tank . I had a PT cruiser and cut a square out and made the job 10x easier, I'm alive today to tell the story.

[ES-wbdo]

Whatever, Mr. Safety, I'm getting ready to do a. Cut out on my suburban. After replacing 3 fuel pumps by removing the tank, with over 250k miles, a hole is acceptable now

[rs]

Yes I did it to my 96 explorer and made a correct metal patch and and rivet it back . Saved a big Hassel. 😮

[cristhomson]

I cut the hole in my Tahoe. Sealed it with JB weld and flashing tape and no problems at all. And if a fire gets to that point you have bigger problems.

[Texaca]

0:16 2:01 those hacks can be done safely, if you get a section of sheet metal from an identical donner chassis, like from a salvage yard. It just needs to be larger than the hole you cut in the floor pan, a 2" boundary around the hole will have plenty of surface area. Afterwards, you can epoxy and rivet the donner section over the hole you cut in your chassis, it can be secured with the right technique. Or get a friend to tack weld the donner section to the floor pan, or DIY it.
There are automotive grade sealants and epoxy, that can hold that sheet metal secure for the life of the car. 🤔

I did this on a 1990 Lincoln Continental, it didn't have a access port for the fuel pump. So I took some measurements, and cut a round hole to access the fuel pump. I started with a small pilot hole, to verify the location of the fuel pump that's underneath the rear seat. Afterwards I went to specialty automotive supply house, and bought a heavy duty patch to cover up the hole. They actually make an automotive grade patches to cover up the holes in cars. It's a very heavy duty patch, like a 20 or 30 Mil thick patch. It's tougher than any Flex seal patch.

[verohandymike]

This is excellent advice. However, I would do it to my vehicle, if I ever have to drop the tank, that's the only time I'm dropping it, because with the tank out I would go ahead and do a really good job of cutting the opening and getting a larger plate to cover it. I'd make sure I put rivnuts in for threads and a rubber gasket. Basically, I'd create the same type opening that other vehicles come with in the first place.

[RCLBWD]

You cant make this video and proceed to use a lift 😂 most people have a dirt driveway with a stock car jack

[jeffrogauge]

You made some great points, But that access panel that I cut in my truck made my life a lot easier buddy!!!

[AllAmericanDreamChaser]

I'm guilty in cutting a hole in the floor of my 2001 Chevy Suburban. I made 3 cuts and resealed it using a adhesive tape that's made for RV's. No problems at all.

[AmbientShades]

If they can put an access panel in a car then there's no reason they can't put one in an SUV or truck. They just don't.

[oldschool]

I agree however, modern day engineering is done on purpose so the average car owner can no longer maintain there own car. Like adding pressure regulators and fuel filters to the fuel pump instead of it being separate. Ill stick with my trusting 2003 Suburban with 249, 000 miles still rocks ✊🏼

[rocknessrocker]

I believe the actual unsafe thing would be Chevy not putting an access panel into begin with is the best unsafe thing. Those were not good reasons to not have an access panel. The correct application of duct tape could seal vapors.

[dterik]

The dealer will do it to you. Also us simpletons don't have a nice lift in our garage. I'm cutting the hole