When I was going to change the fuel pump on my New Mexico trip (before it
miraculously started running again) I was going to clamp off the fuel line
from the tank but the hose seemed pretty rigid - not very pliable at all. I
do have some needle nosed vice grips now - so should it be OK to go ahead
and clamp that line, even though it doesn't seem too compliant?

On 11/9/05, MacLachlan, Bill <Bill.MacLachlan@city.burnaby.bc.ca> wrote:
>
> Fuel pump should be easy. I wouldn't bother draining the tank. I'd get a
> pair of vice grips ( needle nosed ones are best, wrap the jaws in a bit
> of duct tape/fuel hose), and use them to clamp shut the fuel line from
> the tank. This will minimise the fuel that drains over your arm when you
> are working under there. Might want to check out the condition of tank
> to pump lines while you are there.
>
> Oh btw, when you release the line on the engine side of the pump, gas
> will spurt out because the system is always under pressure there.....
>
> And you'll need two open ended wrenches on the engine side
> connection...one on the pump and one on the captive nut....it'll make
> sense when you see the pump!
>
> Hope this helps
>
>
> Bill M 82GL
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of Maggie Dew
> Sent: November 9, 2005 9:55 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: fuel pump +Mom problem
>
> 1) I'm expecting the new Bosch fuel pump to arrive any day. Is this as
> easy as it looks to replace on my '85? My gas tank is nearly empty - so
> I plan to drain it, take the old pump and filter off and put the new
> ones on. Anything else I might need to know? I'm fairly mechanically
> challenged but I'll give it a go.
>
> 2) I guess this is Vanagon content - since my Mom can't get in the van.
> I never thought, when I was getting the A.B. up and running, that my Mom
> wouldn't be able to get in. She is 82, uses a cane, and her quad muscles
> are very weak. I got a step stool and tried to get her in the back of
> the van, but she couldn't make it with that one step and without
> something to hold onto. I'm thinking of something akin to those steps
> with rails that roll up to an airplane - only on a small scale. Also,
> I'm temporarily impecunious, so it has to be cheap.
>
> Thanks,
> Maggie
> '85 Subaru-Westy "Anne Bonney"
>