Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Fuel Pump Problem FIXED!!!

About 2 months ago my 'tour wouldn't start. Suspected the fuel pump. Towed to dealer. Dealer can't find anything wrong. Car started immediately for dealer. Figured the tow jostled the gas around a cleaned the strainer enough to allow it to work. Since then the car hesitated and behaved oddly below 1/2 a tank.

I have ESP warranty, but $100 deductable. For grins and giggles, I figured I would try to save some $.

Today I pulled out the back seat, cut open the floor and removed the pump. The round strainer was dirty (Not completely clogged) and the pump strainer was very dirty too.

I used an orange based solvent, cleaned the strainers, cleaned the "cup" the pump sits in. The o-ring sealing the top was stretched and wouldn't fit. I cut about 1/2" off and crazy glued the ring together (with a high performance German made glue). Re-assembled, Duct taped the cut lines in the metal underseat area, and test drove. No hesitation and the off-the-line performance was much better.

Note: If you attempt this be patient. It took a while to get the lock ring off (cut myself, blood lubricates well), and you will need a new O-Ring if you don't have the benefit of German Adhesive Science.

I wouldn't of attempted this without the benefit of seeing that another CEG'r had done it and explained it. Thanks to those who explained it and pictured it.

-------> Happy Contour Owner

You did go back to the dealer and give'm the raspberries?
I imagine you got the famous line "Oh we never had that happen before"?
Hmmmm you cut out the floor, refresh my memory the 99's don't have the access open like my 98?

You do have an addiction for punishment!!!

Paul

The opening is too small for the pump head. Had to use metal shears and cut some lines in it and bend back the "petals".

The car is running great. Under full throttle, it would kinda ratchet up in power, in steps, not smoothly. After the fix it is smooth and more responsive.

The little filter on the bottom (circular, very fine white mesh) looks to be the culprit. Since I was able to clean it, I put it back, knowing that I can always get at it again if I need to. From looking at the design, gas flows into the plastic chamber through the screen and past a check valve. Its looks like only the force of the liquid level does this, as the plastic chamber is not sealed. So when the round filter clogs, no gas makes it to the pump. With over half a tank, the fuel can into the chamber from the top, that's why the problem is only evident with less than 1/2 a tank.
I considered leaving the filter out, but since I can get at it now, I figured it will keep some dirt out.

Interestingly, there was very little dirt or debris in the bottom of the tank. I didn't need to clean it. Guess it was all caught in the little filter.