Hi,

1999 ranger, 2.5L, std cab, 2 wd, auto w OD, 118" WB

I am in the process of replacing a fuel pump - or rather I should say removing the tank from the truck to allow replacement. I am removing the tank from the bottom and really can not see the connectors all that good. There are two vapor lines, one is at the rear of the tank and one is on the fuel pump cover. I have the "duck bill clip" on the pressure line figured out and will get a tool to release it tomorrow. Aftermarket "manual" is next to worthless.


Question: How do I disconnect the emission vapor line connectors without breaking something ?

( I tried a search but did not see an answer. )

Regards

BillB

 

I'm pretty sure the fuel vapor line fittings are the kind that you have to squeeze and pull apart at the same time in order to disconnect them.

 

Thanks,

I'll give this another try. There does appear to be two tabs which could open the latch. I tried squeezing and pulling but must have been too timid. This fitting is plastic unlike the pressure line.

Regards

BillB

 

Take off the bed, you'll thank me later

 

Hi,
I would agree it would make seeing easier.

Rightly or wrongly I chose to drop the tank and it is in the floor with everything loose.

1) I live in a HOA controlled neighborhood where the bed and shell sitting outside would be frowned upon.

2) I have a shortage of able bodied friends to help me lift the bed off and tote it around in back. Actually I am the most able bodied man in the neighborhood. I now find jacks and the like are a better alternative to brute force. 35 years ago when I was 35 I was more into the brute force mode.

3) It still looks like I would need to drop the tank to clean it. Much of what I found on pump vendor websites suggested the frequent short life for a second fuel pump is due to putting a new pump back into a dirty tank.

Appreciate the comment.

BillB

 

Hi, This note is feed back on my fuel tank removal experience.

1999, ranger, 2.5L, std cab, 118wb, 2wd....

This truck uses a single line fuel pressure system. The regulator is in the tank.

I chose to do a fuel tank removal from the bottom for several reasons:

1) I live in a HOA controlled neighborhood where the bed hanging from A frames would not fly. And I expected the job to take several days.

2) I am the most able bodied guy in the neighborhood. 35 years ago at 35 I would have been more in the brute force mode.

3) The pump vendors websites all suggest premature second pump failure is due to putting a new pump into a dirty tank.

I arranged two floor jacks with a 16" x 24" table between them ( a make do transmission jack )

My main problem was with disconnecting the fuel line snap on connectors. I finally found How to Replace The Fuel Filter In Your Ford F-150 where they show dealing with the "duck bill" connectors.

So, I purchased a cheap set of release tools. This released the 5/16" connectors without too much trouble ( fuel filter ). The 3/8" pressure line on the top of the pump assembly was a real DOG. I finally removed the fuel line from the pump back to the filter along with the tank. Even in full view I could not get the connector to release. I ended making a new tool with a release OD just able to fit into the connector. In hind sight several wraps of paper around the 3/8" tube ( .025" to .035" increase in diameter ) may have allowed the plastic tool to work.


I also was never able to see enough to release the vapor line at the rear of the tank. I cut the low pressure crimp clamp off and removed the hose from the "Y" so I could drop the tank for visibility and hand access to the tank top.

The other vapor line which connects to the top of the fuel pump on the 5/16" tube was found to have a "pickle fork" style connector.

The rear vapor line does in fact have a pinch to release connector which were I doing a second tank I could have disconnected.

Hopefully my experience will help others.

BillB

 

I've had a bit of trouble with the city over "derelect auto parts" m'self, so I sympathize. As with you, as I age, snaking round under the truck becomes more and more of a chore so I'd rather stand up and use sunlight when working. Good Luck.