Looking for a shop to change Fuel Pump in fuel tank in the North West ?

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Looking for a shop to change Fuel Pump in fuel tank in the North West ?

August 05, 2021, 12:32:48 pm

We are looking for a shop that can change out our fuel pump in our 98~MB. Currently it is working without any indications of anything wrong but at 125K miles on it I want to change it out before it runs out. I have asked locally but know one has a lift for lifting a 14000 lb rig to get the gas tank out. I also get "we don't work on RVs". It should be a four to five hour job so it can fit into one day so we don't mind driving somewhere the day before and run most of the fuel down to 5 gallons to make it easy to drain.
Does anyone have any insight?

Karen~Liam
98 ~ MB
NinA

Re: Looking for a shop to change Fuel Pump in fuel tank in the North West ?

Reply #1 – August 05, 2021, 12:36:34 pm

If it's working fine for now, you might consider waiting. There is another thread about problems getting service and shops being backed up.

Hopefully things will catch up over the winter, but a lot of place that I see are really busy right now.

Sometimes 'We don't work on Motorhomes' is code for 'I have plenty of regular vehicles to keep me busy'. Things might change when they don't have work booked out for 2 weeks.

Rich

Re: Looking for a shop to change Fuel Pump in fuel tank in the North West ?

Reply #2 – August 05, 2021, 01:07:28 pm

Liam

Your other choice is to do it yourself. Your hanger would be a good place to do it, assuming it has a flat concrete floor.
First, the tank needs to be empty, even a few gallons will make the tank extremely unstable, your rig is old enough to have a drain plug, Run the rig until it is almost empty and then drain the remaining fuel.

The rig needs to be lifted just high enough to slide the tank out once it has been unbolted and dropped. I did it by lifting the rear with jacks and setting the rear wheels on big wood blocks and jack stands under the axle. The tank is secure with six bolts, once removed, drop the tank a few inches and reach in to disconnect the various lines and the power plug, before completely dropping the tank.
To lower it and raise it, I placed a cut piece of plywood under the tank, to prevent denting and then used two rolling hydraulic jacks, placed under the plywood.
Doing this solo, I placed two HD ratchet straps, the ends connected to the frame, under the tank as added security, even when empty, the tank is heavy.
Besides replacing the fuel pump assembly, change the rubber emission hoses and the rubber generator fuel lines.

While I did it myself, having a strong, willing helper will make the project much easier.
Fuel pump replacement | Flickr

Make sure you have a fuel pump assembly on hand before starting.

Larry

Re: Looking for a shop to change Fuel Pump in fuel tank in the North West ?

Reply #3 – August 05, 2021, 01:14:04 pm

I have been using Northside Ford in Portland for over ten years, including dropping the fuel tank and replacing the fuel lines and pump. I have been satisfied with their work, but learned recently that they won't work on units over twenty years old. Still, might be worth a call.

--Al in Scappoose
--2002 26.5 MB

Re: Looking for a shop to change Fuel Pump in fuel tank in the North West ?

Reply #4 – August 05, 2021, 02:17:24 pm

Thanks Larry, I have been considering dropping the tank myself in the hanger. How high do I need raise the rear end to comfortably get the tank out? I have talked on the phone with a shop near Bremerton that works on trucks and does tank work so it is right up their ally. They quoted me 4 to 5 hours for the RxR complete. I am going to drive over there tomorrow to check them out. They would do it in a couple weeks and will use the new Delphi pump assembly I got for it, we will also have the generator fuel line changed also. Our LD is on the Oregon Coast now, we called many shops from Newport to Astoria and got the run around when we were there. We decided change the pump since our 98~MB has 125K miles on it and this can be under our control versus happening on out way somewhere out of our control.

Karen~Liam
98 ~ MB
NinA

Re: Looking for a shop to change Fuel Pump in fuel tank in the North West ?

Reply #5 – August 05, 2021, 02:21:19 pm

Al Thank You for the recommendation, I will call them also to get a quote and availability. It is always good to have the name of a good shop in case there is something we need to get done and I can not do it.

Karen~Liam
98 ~ MB
NinA

Re: Looking for a shop to change Fuel Pump in fuel tank in the North West ?

Reply #6 – August 05, 2021, 02:27:24 pm

Quote from: Karen & Liam - August 05, 2021, 02:17:24 pm

Thanks Larry, I have been considering dropping the tank myself in the hanger. How high do I need raise the rear end to comfortably get the tank out?

My guess is that if you drive the rear wheels up on some 2-3" blocks, you will have enough space. You will appreciate more space if you can get it.

I dropped the tank on my rig by backing the tires up to a gentle downward slope which gave me plenty of clearance. The hardest clearance related part for me was reaching the fuel lines to disconnect/connect them. I know not everyone has an odd shaped workspace where they can take advantage of a natural slope.

FWIW - I drove my rig until I thought the tank was virtually empty and I still had 5 or 6 gallons of fuel in there. If doing it again, I might drive until I notice problems and add a 1/2 gallon or so to get home.

I wrote about my experience here:
Fuel Pump Replacement and Dropping Fuel Tank

Rich

Re: Looking for a shop to change Fuel Pump in fuel tank in the North West ?

Reply #7 – August 05, 2021, 03:17:22 pm

Thanks Rich, I have blocks to drive on up to 6" but would like more height to get good access to the lines. I would also be happy to pay a shop to do it for about 4 to 5 hrs labor.

Karen~Liam
98 ~ MB
NinA

Re: Looking for a shop to change Fuel Pump in fuel tank in the North West ?

Reply #8 – August 05, 2021, 03:44:28 pm

Quote from: Karen & Liam - August 05, 2021, 02:17:24 pm

I have been considering dropping the tank myself in the hanger. How high do I need raise the rear end to comfortably get the tank out? will use the new Delphi pump assembly I got for it, we will also have the generator fuel line changed also.

I don't remember exactly how high, I measured the height of the tank, added the plywood and the height of the rolling jacks to get a minimum height, and then added an inch. It wasn't extremely high.
Or head over to Rich's place and use his slope.

Do check the tank's emission hoses, our 2003's hoses were badly rotted. NAPA had the right hose and hose clamps to replace them.
4-5 hours for a shop to change the pump doesn't seem unreasonable, it took most of a day to do it.

Larry

Re: Looking for a shop to change Fuel Pump in fuel tank in the North West ?

Reply #9 – August 05, 2021, 06:35:48 pm

I stopped by our local guy here in Burton on island. He said he wanted to see the LD to decide if it will fit. I have seen a larger RV getting raised at his shop so I think it will go fine. He quoted me 4 hours with the generator line replaced and using my supplied pump. They will also replace the inline filter and any other hoses when its out. He set up a date in ten days and I just need to drop by with our 98~MB before to be seen and get the OK. I know these guys and they will do a good job. If they turn me down next week when they see it I will set up the space in my building and do it myself. I can report back here to let you know how it went either way.

Karen~Liam
98 ~ MB
NinA

Re: Looking for a shop to change Fuel Pump in fuel tank in the North West ?

Reply #10 – August 05, 2021, 08:27:45 pm

It certainly would be easier with a lift and a tall transmission jack. They will also replace the inline filter

FYI, the replaceable inline fuel filter canister is located on the driver's side frame rail, midship, and can be easily changed using a release tool to remove the filter. It needs to be changed every 30,000 miles. The fuel pump has a filter too, it's part of the new fuel pump assembly.
Amazon.com: OTC 6509 Fuel Line Disconnect Tool: Automotive
Amazon.com: WIX Filters - 33296 Fuel (Complete In-Line) Filter, Pack of 1:...

Larry

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Re: Looking for a shop to change Fuel Pump in fuel tank in the North West ?

Reply #11 – September 18, 2021, 08:39:18 pm

I did mine on flat concrete. Drain tank, disconnect fuel fill and vapor line, drop skid plate, drop straps tilt tank. Tank will drop far enough to get the nuts off fuel pump. Thank with a little wiggle will drop. It took me about 45 min to drop tank and 1.5 hours to reinstall. The reinstall I used a floor jack and small piece of plywood to steady it. Had a second set of hands to. Not that bad of a job. Did not need to lift rv.

Re: Looking for a shop to change Fuel Pump in fuel tank in the North West ?

Reply #12 – September 19, 2021, 08:55:28 pm

Local shop here on Vashon island did the job for us in August. Took the mechanic about 6 hours to change the pump, change the inline filter and generator hose. They lifted the 98~MB about 12 inches, they said there was dirt and grime which continued to fall in the mechanic's face making the job longer, they originally quoted about four hours to do the whole job. We have been on a couple of near full tank trips so we have seen the gauge and pump work well. My understanding is that fuel conditioner helps lubricate the fuel pump and we could add it every fourth fill up to improve pump life?

Karen~Liam
98 ~ MB
NinA

Re: Looking for a shop to change Fuel Pump in fuel tank in the North West ?

Reply #13 – September 19, 2021, 11:43:30 pm

Quote from: Karen & Liam - September 19, 2021, 08:55:28 pm

My understanding is that fuel conditioner helps lubricate the fuel pump and we could add it every fourth fill up to improve pump life?

Save your money and use it for Top Tier fuel.
Top Tier gas has all the additives that the OEMs specify. Most major brands are Top Tier.
Homepage

Fuel pump conditioner sounds like a type of snake oil.

Larry

Re: Looking for a shop to change Fuel Pump in fuel tank in the North West ?

Reply #14 – September 20, 2021, 06:55:01 pm

I use mid grade fuel, period, and I always use a fuel stabilizer like Startron if the rig is going to sit for any length of time. The ethanol in our part of the country is hard on everything.

Jon

Re: Looking for a shop to change Fuel Pump in fuel tank in the North West ?

Reply #15 – September 20, 2021, 07:19:20 pm

Unless your engine pings, which it shouldn’t, mid grade fuel is not doing anything that regular doesn’t. The extra octane doesn’t increase power or economy, it prevents preignition and that’s it.

Liam’s rig never sits long enough to need a fuel stabilizer.

Larry

Re: Looking for a shop to change Fuel Pump in fuel tank in the North West ?

Reply #16 – September 22, 2021, 06:33:32 pm

Quote from: Lazyxj - September 20, 2021, 07:19:20 pm

Unless your engine pings, which it shouldn’t, mid grade fuel is not doing anything that regular doesn’t. The extra octane doesn’t increase power or economy, it prevents preignition and that’s it.

Liam’s rig never sits long enough to need a fuel stabilizer.

Larry

Well, this is wierd, my user name has changed to one I don’t use on this forum and made me a new member, I had to OK my own ‘first’ postings. It appears I have new, sec ond account, one I never applied for, it happened on postings made on my iPhone.

Larry

Re: Looking for a shop to change Fuel Pump in fuel tank in the North West ?

Reply #17 – September 22, 2021, 07:05:52 pm

Welcome to LDO - LAZYXJ

and it's true our 98~MB WanderDaze does not sit long except for a month or two in winter between Ski trips. . .

   Karen~Liam
   98 ~ MB
   NinA

Re: Looking for a shop to change Fuel Pump in fuel tank in the North West ?

Reply #18 – September 24, 2021, 02:44:19 pm

Quote from: Karen & Liam - August 05, 2021, 03:17:22 pm

Thanks Rich, I have blocks to drive on up to 6" but would like more height to get good access to the lines. I would also be happy to pay a shop to do it for about 4 to 5 hrs labor.

Karen~Liam
98 ~ MB
NinA

I've had good experiences with Burien Truck Repair in Burien, WA. They used to be part of a Ford dealership but Ford terminated some of its dealerships a couple years ago so it is independent now. They service RVs.

Re: Looking for a shop to change Fuel Pump in fuel tank in the North West ?

Reply #19 – September 24, 2021, 02:52:39 pm

Thank You for the Tip MREEVES. It is always good to know about a shop to do those jobs you can't or not willing to do.

Karen~Liam
98 ~ MB
NinA

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