Hey guys, tracked down an issue with my car not starting to be a dead fuel pump. I've got one ordered and it should be here rather soon, but the problem is from what i've looked up, I need the fuel pump removal tool to get it out of there. Anyone in the Orlando, FL area have one on hand they wouldnt mind loaning for an afternoon? I've heard quite a few people say ask the dealer, but I wouldnt know who to ask or how to go about it.

 

This is what you're looking for. I have this exact one and it works perfect with a breaker bar, to remove the fuel pump retaining ring.

You might be able to get away with using a hammer and flat head screw driver but I started breaking tabs on the ring so I ordered this ring removal tool and it worked perfectly.

 

And BHR sells one too that works well.

Black Halo Racing Fuel Pump Ring Tool | Black Halo Racing

 

What I did is here

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tro...change-234314/

About half way down. I was working with what I had. Constant pressure was the key. Make sure you have under half a tank of gas.

 

Use the right tool for the job, the fuel pump retaining ring is not cheap (for what it is) and when a local guy here broke his doing it the wrong way he had to wait three days while the dealer ordered him a replacement. Four Mazda dealers in town and no one stocked them.

 

There are several similar ones on Amazon, some for as low as $15 , this one above has worked for me. The BHR one is also very good, a rotary wrench near me has the BHR one. As long as you get the adjustable ones they fit and work fine and won't break the ring.

 

Hammer and screwdriver

 

please don't use a hammer and screwdriver, you risk breaking the ring and it is a Mazda part only, not cheap! Much cheaper and wiser to get the proper tool !

 

I used a hammer and screwdriver. The ring is pretty robust.

 

Some rings may come off easy but some have mileage on them and are harder to take off. I soaked mine in penetrant overnight and it didnt budge with the hammer and flat head.

The tool is cheap compared to the price of a new ring from the dealer. Plus it'll make life easier when you're reinstalling it.

I personally prefer the amazon one because it worked and is adjustable so you may be able to use it for other vehicles. I haven't seen the BHR one in person but it doesn't look adjustable in the pics and is double the cost.

 

Yep, I have seen a few rings broken over the years. They tend to get pretty stuck on there after 10 years or so. The BHR tool is not adjustable but I have never needed an adjustable one personally. I remove these fairly often so something robust is needed. I also have the partgroup.com one for the RX-8 and it works well too, but it is larger and takes up too much room in the tool box.

 

I ended up going with the same one on Amazon, but I found that Advance had it in stock also.

Lock Technology Gas Tank Fuel Pump Removal Tool LTI940: Advance Auto Parts

Stuff should be here by Friday, so It looks like I'm going to soak the inside of those holes with WD-40 today and give it a good amount of time to soak in, maybe spray it again on Thursday as well. Not looking forward to my car smelling like gas and WD-40 though.

Speaking of which, luck would have it that the night before the pump crapped out, I filled up my car on gas. It's currently one tick below E. Anyone have any good ideas/advice on how to syphon some of that gas out so I dont drench the interior of the car when I lift the pump out?

 

I would use penetrant, not WD-40.

 

Why would that be? I just squirted it in each of the little holes around the ring and around the base..

I'm still trying to figure out the best way to syphon that gas out of the tank, too.

 

WD40 evaporates. Its more for lubricating than anything. It doesn't penetrate well, grab some Liquid wrench or PB blaster.

 

WD40 is for drying out electronics and protecting raw metal from rusting. If you need a lubricant use a proper lubricant for the job. If you need penetrant, use penetrating oil.

 

Typically I use PB Blaster, but I don't have any on hand at the moment. Might have to go pick some more up.


Anyone have any advice on syphoning the gas out?

 

You don't have to take the gas out. The BHR tool is worth $50, but you could always sell it pronto here if you don't have any need to hang on to it.

 

I think you need half of the gas out. But, I am not sure. I seem to think it is possible to fill the tank beyond where the pump is.

 

My pump died on me the morning after I had just filled the tank up. I tried using a syphon pump, no luck, it wouldn't feed past the bend going down into the tank. So I, unfortunately, had to do this with a near full tank (one tick below F).

Is it possible? yeah, of course. But gas. went. everywhere. None of it got on the interior, but you will have a ton of spillage if you are forced to do it the way I was. Wise to keep a ton of shop towels handy and clean the area around the plastic ring very well before hand so no dirt or grease gets into the tank.

I went through about half a roll of shop towels soaking up spillage.

and for the record, the tool linked in this thread is not a DIRECT fit. there is gap between the tool and the notches on the ring, It slipped off a few times for me, but it did get the ring loosened probably quite a bit easier than not having the tool I imagine.

 

This is why I have a mityvac oil extractor, I use it for all sorts of stuff, it comes in handy.

 

Those are grand. A complete oil change from the top of the car.

also great for bleeding the freaking 2 quarts of brake fluid in my Expedition...