Hey all, been a while for me since posting but do keep up with current threads with interest as always

Reason I'm posting is it seems the fuel pump on my 99 3500 cargo van is failing, never had this happen to one of my vehicles so it's new to me job I'll be doing. I do have a couple friends more experienced that are willing to help. I'm just trying to get fuel exchanged over to my pickup rather than gas cans before hand.
While it may seem a cool thing I'd rather not cut a panel out of the deck to access the pump, it will get dropped rather than that,
watched some videos and tried the removing the filler tube and feeding a tube into the tank and over to the truck. Couldn't quite get the fuel to a steady stream to do the transfer, and gave up to seek out your help for a reliable safe way to get it done.
I can pound the underside of the tank and get the pump to run but it shuts off within a minute or two, not sure if jumpering the fuel pump relay would be successful... suppose an external pump inline would work but rather get it done without additional cost and time.
I have 35 gal tank about 1/2 full in the van and about 1/3 full in the pickup so should be plenty of room.

will appreciate any good ideas from your experience,

thanks

 

I would try to raise the van up a bit and try to siphon the gas out the filler as you are. Get one of those cheap hand pumps at the parts store to get the siphon going and be patient. Make sure the tank is completely empty before attempting to remove it or you will have a fight on your hands.

 

Yeah, transfer the gas to a can first, something that you can have sitting below the level of fuel in the tank, and your siphon will actually work. There are small electric transfer pumps, but, buying one of just one job seems a bit over the top to me.

 

Appreciate both you guys, I did just end up getting another 5 gallon can as I did have one and borrowed a 3rd one so siphoned out about 15 gallons. Bought a 5$ siphon pump from HF which actually worked fine for while i was getting other stuff ready to go anyway. ended up leaving maybe 3-5 gallons in the tank

This job wasn't too bad other than it hurts the hell out of my shoulders n back, other wise straight forward and learned a couple things if ever doing this again.

used a HF atv motorcycle lift which was helpful for lowering and lifting throughout, while jacking with the darned filler tube and vent connections that go through the frame and have to be maneuvered back and down n out of locking tabs just right.
Had I turned n released the support straps after unbolting it would have been helpful, still a win because I didn't break anything as is my tendency when getting frustrated.

My willing friends were at work today but my boss was okay with me taking off to do this, he's a cool boss anyway, enough belly aching, got the pump replaced and seems to be running well now.
Noticed that before changing the pump and when it did run for a short minute or so, the fuel gauge did jump a lot right around 48 psi, now holds a steady 50 psi so pleased with that and celebrate with a beer, cheers!
The Vanimal is still devouring the fossil fuel at nearly 330,000 miles ...thanks again guys

 

I just dropped my 35 gal tank two weekends in a row! The first time, the pump rockauto said was for a 35 gal tank wasn't the right one for me - it had an extra return port my OEM doesn't have. So I got to do the whole process twice! I used the HF hand pump also and it worked great. Once it's empty, the tank isn't heavy at all.

Before the new pump, the van would sometimes stall out coasting uphill (like around an uphill corner) but now it's running solid so I'm happy.