I'm replacing the fuel pump in my 02 Sunfire and I'm ready to drop the gas tank, but this seems impossible without removing the exhaust heat shield which seems to be riveted to the body. I've seen another post where in an 01 Sunfire the author said he was able to just loosen the straps and slid the tank out the passenger side without removing the heat shield. This doesn't look like it will work for me since I've completely loosened the the strap on the passenger side, and the strap on the driver side has one of those damn rivets holding the heat shield in place going through it, so there's only a little slack. Even with the passengers side strap totally loose and the drivers side a little loose the tank doesn't feel like it's going anywhere.
Am I going to have to drill out those rivets holding the heat shield?
Is there some additional fastening going on, like clips or something, on the top of the tank?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Dan
I didn't have to, you have to take the bolts out for both straps, not just loosen them. I used jack-stands and a board to spread the weight out under the passenger side forward of the tank enough to stay out of the way. removed the passenger rear tire. now even with all that if you never had your tank out before, it will still be held in by some heavy duty double stick tape between the tank and the body, some get lucky and the glue has let go, mine was a PITA and stuck in like the day it was new. I used a combination of a 1x4 (not a 2x4 as it too thick) and pry bars to break the grip of the tape, be careful not to puncture your tank. work at it from both sides, places it will catch and try to stay in the car are on the trailing arm and your favorite spot the heat shield, I just bent mine to allow more room in a down direction. I actually had to kick the tank from the drivers side, prolly extreme for most, I was pretty sick at the time I had to do it. The tank will move down and to the passenger side, once you get it moving its not that bad. remember to be careful of all your wires and hoses going to the pump. going back in is the reverse minus all the BS of having to free the tank up. since I had to work by myself used my jack to help support the tank when going back in. hope this helps ya out!
I thought it felt like something else was holding the tank. Double sided foam tape will be a PITA to break.
Thanks for the help!
just take your time with it, and work smart not hard man
I just did mine last week and what Cinny said is pretty much spot on. I had to loosen my exhaust(custom 3") and i was able to leave my wheel on.
Error: Sig not found.
Did either of you end up replacing the wiring harness? The Airtex pump I bought doesn't come with one, but supposedly it is "recommended".....
lol, my tires have too much meat on them so I had to take it off myself. I put in the Racetronix pump w/o the wiring upgrade but all my wires were in great shape. so it up to you and what you see, if they are in bad shape replace them nothing like having to drop the tank a second time.
Once you guys told me I was fighting against double sided foam tape, it all came together. I did lower the exhaust and have to drill out one of the rivets holding the heat shield right next to the drivers side strap. I took my wheels off just to give myself as much room as possible, and once the double sided foam tape gave out it popped right out fairly easily.
A critter had made a nice cozy home on top of the tank, but luckily hadn't nibble on anthing.....
The wiring harness seemed in perfect condition.
New pump installed and ready to go back in.
Putting it back in solo was a little tricky but that tank is pretty light, so that helped.
Fired right up, and I'm back on the road.
Thanks for the help!
Dan
