Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Fuel pump replacement tool

Hello, I recently bought a 2000 Sport with only 34,000 on the clock but unfortunately the mighty god of broken fuel pumps cast his spell on me without haste. I had it less than two weeks. When I turned the key the pump motor was silent. I just bought a new pump and I plugged in the wire. The motor turned like a champ when I turned the key. It is sightly different to the old pump and the instructions call for a special cut off tool to remove the old pump's retaining ring from the bottom of tank. Is this tool necessary? I asked the dealership where I could get one and I was promptly greeted by a blank stare. Has anyone recently dealt with this new pump and the install? Any help would greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Clyde
2000 Sport v6

Anyone???

The dealership has one, and if you know them, they'll probably let you use it (Towsend Ford let me borrow their's for an hour). If you can't get your hands on one, just use a pair of dikes (horizontal snippers). Make sure you empty the tank though. The actual tool is bronze for a reason-- makes no spark.

Good luck!

On the 95 Contour's if you remove the rear seat there is a rubber plug in the body that covers the fuel pump. I just removed the rubber plug to get access to the fuel pump.

For your year, I believe you will have to cut a hole to access your fuel pump. Once you cut the hole, there is a locking ring. I removed mine with hitting it with a chisel on the actual cap that is removed. You can purchase a new cap or lid from Ford about 10 dollars. Be sure you have the minimum amount of fuel in the tank. I believe the fuel line fittings into the fuel pump are the type you squeeze on the side and the line slides out.....don't quite recall. Once you install the new pump, coat the lid seal with a bit of lubricant and carefully use a screwdriver or chisel to rotate and lock it into place.

I had to do this on my 95 and it occured right after I filled up the tank completly. Not a comfortable site removing the pump lid and finding the gas about 1/2 inch or so from the opening....no smoking allowed to say the least.

Bob

I think he's talking about the retainer ring at the bottom of the tank, not the one holding the pump up top.

Read the how-to?
http://www.contour.org/mods/mods.php?s=howto&displayid=39

Hammer and screwdriver.

To everyone who has removed the retaining ring and gone with the revised FP design have you had any kind of bucking or fuel starvation issues since? I have replaced the pump and cleaned the filter sock and removed the disc at the bottom of the stock assembly to only have the same symptoms 2 months later. Any insight would be helpful. TIA
-tropictour

Thanks for the input. My confusion was with the retaining ring inside/bottom of the tank. The fuel pump replacement "how to" is very helpful but it deals with the old style pump. Is the ring made of plastic? In the "how to" pictures it appears to be plastic in which case I could just use some snippers. Thanks again.

Clyde