Dropping the tank

M

Miranthis

New member
Had a fuel issue and my mechanic says it might be a good idea, once i run it as low as I can before the next fill, to drop the tank and make sure any debris is out of the tank. Note he is not asking me to pay him to do it, but responding to my question about how best to fix my issue. I will be dropping the tank, not him.

I don't have the SST to remove the fuel pump retaining ring, so, if I just drop the tank and then empty the dregs through the filler tube hole will that do ok to get any debris, or for that matter any water in the bottom of the tank, out?

What say you all......

Jeff-in-KC
 
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I would just get the tool. THat way you can check out the pump if you are having fuel issues. I cant imagine being able to really clean out a fuel tank without at least being able to see in there. You might just loosen the stuff up and make your situation worse.
 
Elan750 said:
I would just get the tool. THat way you can check out the pump if you are having fuel issues. I cant imagine being able to really clean out a fuel tank without at least being able to see in there. You might just loosen the stuff up and make your situation worse.
Click to expand...

It's been couple of years since I've done this project but I opened up the large locking ring on top of the fuel tank and peaked inside. I don't recall needing any SSTs at that time. Maybe I scratched my head for a bit then used a screwdriver or something to help with the removal of the large o ring nut thing.

Where Toyota screwed up was that this hole is not large enough to pull the fuel pump out of so I had to drop the fuel tank. The tank did have lots of crud that clogged up the fuel pump inlet which led to fuel starvation at the engine. My guess is that the original owner contributed to the crud and it was floating on top. It was reddish colored material. Dropping the tank, removing the fuel pump assembly then cleaning out everything the old fashion way is the best way clean your tank.
 
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I've been looking for a good DIY thread on this but haven't had much luck. I need to drop my tank to replace the sending unit for the fuel gauge. It hasn't done it lately but a few months ago the readings were going all over the place. I didn't realize a SST was needed. I thought it just required a big strap wrench.
 
TowMeOut said:
I've been looking for a good DIY thread on this but haven't had much luck. I need to drop my tank to replace the sending unit for the fuel gauge. It hasn't done it lately but a few months ago the readings were going all over the place. I didn't realize a SST was needed. I thought it just required a big strap wrench.
Click to expand...

I have strap wrenches but don't recall using one. I think what I did was to use a flathead screwdriver against one of the "tooth". Then I tapped the screwdriver head lightly until the ring started to move. Again, this is going off of my memory!
 
This is what I used on a 4th gen and my 5th gen.

I grabbed it straight up and down not sideways. I would be weary about tapping it with a screw driver.
 
Well, I think I will drop it and try the DIY method....had to refill today so I have a fair bit of fuel to go through....but have time two saturdays from now and a spare car. I suspect mine is floating debris as the thing only starved when it had a few gallons left. Manual says not to reuse the large gasket, it that really the case?

Jeff-in-KC
 
dropping fuel tank 4thGen T4Rs

Soneill said:
This is what I used on a 4th gen and my 5th gen.

I grabbed it straight up and down not sideways. I would be weary about tapping it with a screw driver.
Click to expand...

Would you have any advice on dropping the fuel tank on the 4thGen T4Rs?

I am replacing the fuel pump/sender assembly complete unit. Once I get the tank down and out, have detailed info on removing/replacing this assembly.

I have searched all over this site (and others incl YouTube) and cannot find any posts that have this info in detail really. There is a great deal of Gen 3 fuel tank removal info though.

So far, I have found, drive/run vehicle as much as possible to remove gas from tank, jack up vehicle, chock front tires, pull rear driver wheel, disconnect fuel relay, start vehicle to depressurize the fuel lines, disconnect neg battery cable, disconnect electrical connectors on top of fuel pump assembly-via the small access door under seat/carpet LH back seat, disconnect the fuel filler hose spout from body screws visible from fuel door, remove the fuel tank skid plate 6 screws (a bit vague, but mention of one bolt close to drive shaft that is a PITA), place floor jack with larger surface (ie plywood piece) under gas tank, lower tank a bit, disconnect quick connect fuel lines (2), disconnect quick connect vent hose (filler side), disconnect breather valve hose (correct name?) which is supposed to be a bear to get off, lower tank all the way and out.

Is there any other areas that I should look out for?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
 
devinship said:
Would you have any advice on dropping the fuel tank on the 4thGen T4Rs?

I am replacing the fuel pump/sender assembly complete unit. Once I get the tank down and out, have detailed info on removing/replacing this assembly.

I have searched all over this site (and others incl YouTube) and cannot find any posts that have this info in detail really. There is a great deal of Gen 3 fuel tank removal info though.

So far, I have found, drive/run vehicle as much as possible to remove gas from tank, jack up vehicle, chock front tires, pull rear driver wheel, disconnect fuel relay, start vehicle to depressurize the fuel lines, disconnect neg battery cable, disconnect electrical connectors on top of fuel pump assembly-via the small access door under seat/carpet LH back seat, disconnect the fuel filler hose spout from body screws visible from fuel door, remove the fuel tank skid plate 6 screws (a bit vague, but mention of one bolt close to drive shaft that is a PITA), place floor jack with larger surface (ie plywood piece) under gas tank, lower tank a bit, disconnect quick connect fuel lines (2), disconnect quick connect vent hose (filler side), disconnect breather valve hose (correct name?) which is supposed to be a bear to get off, lower tank all the way and out.

Is there any other areas that I should look out for?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Click to expand...

You already have more info than I did when I did mine recently. Some additions:
1) Under the rear drivers side seat there is an access hatch. Open this, and disconnect the wire to the fuel pump before doing anything else.
2) Watch out for the charcoal canister connections on the top rear of the tank. There is one that is a small quick connect, and another with a larger squeeze connection thing. Both have to come off before you can fully lower the tank. However, they are easier to access with a partially lowered tank.
3) If you've been offroading, plan to spend some time with a hammer beating your gas tank skid back into shape. If its out of shape, getting it back on is significantly more difficult.
4) The fuel pump assembly does not include a new fuel level float. Get one and replace that while you are at it. I didn't replace the whole assembly, just the fuel pump and initial filter. There is a secondary in tank filter I did not mess with as well.

Hope this helps.
 
gimlithepirate,

Thanks for the additional heads up. One last thing, what did you find to be the best method to drain the tank? I am planning on running it as low as possible - even considering running it till it stalls using my estimate of the gas level (tracking mpg).

Note: the assembly purchased included the float
 
Did you order OEM? I didn't think the OEM ones came with the float, at least when I looked on McGeorge. Aftermarket, you just need to accept you may be doing this again in relatively short order.

I didn't fully drain the tank. I ran it until the fuel light came on, and then dropped it. My old float was pretty inaccurate though, so it actually had 1/8 of a tank left. Not sure the best way to fully drain it unfortunately.
 
insert a small hose to the fill area until it reaches the bottom and suck the gas out. make sure the hose you are sucking is below tank. once it starts flowing, direct it to a container. it will stop flowing when it's empty.
 
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