Remove the fuel pump on a 1995 VR6

I have already removed the large nut/ring from the top of the pump and
I was even able to remove the upper assembly. This is the assembly
that has the float arm attached to it. When I attempt to remove the
pump from the bottom of the tank it just holds tight. I have the
Bentley manual and I am following those directions. The manual says to
turn the pump to the left on the Bayonet connector and remove. I can
get the pump to turn a little back and forth but it definitely will not
come out!

Can someone please let me know if there is some kind of trick or
expalain how this pump is secured to the tank? Thanks!

Background:

The car is a 1995 Passat GLX VR6 Sedan with 150,000 miles on the
odometer. I was driving down the freeway in about 5F outside temp.
The engine suddenly began to hesitate and within about 10 seconds had
completely stopped. Of course I had the car towed into my garage at
home. I briefly believed that the gas line had frozen until I learned
how rare that it is. Now I have completed the checks in the Bentley
manual and determined that the fuel pump motor has simply died. I have
been able to exclude the fuel pump relay and the fuse as being the
cause.

No tricks, but if the fuel and tank are cold it may be a bit harder to
release the pump.

"Mark" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>I have already removed the large nut/ring from the top of the pump and
> I was even able to remove the upper assembly. This is the assembly
> that has the float arm attached to it. When I attempt to remove the
> pump from the bottom of the tank it just holds tight. I have the
> Bentley manual and I am following those directions. The manual says to
> turn the pump to the left on the Bayonet connector and remove. I can
> get the pump to turn a little back and forth but it definitely will not
> come out!
>
> Can someone please let me know if there is some kind of trick or
> expalain how this pump is secured to the tank? Thanks!
>
> Background:
>
> The car is a 1995 Passat GLX VR6 Sedan with 150,000 miles on the
> odometer. I was driving down the freeway in about 5F outside temp.
> The engine suddenly began to hesitate and within about 10 seconds had
> completely stopped. Of course I had the car towed into my garage at
> home. I briefly believed that the gas line had frozen until I learned
> how rare that it is. Now I have completed the checks in the Bentley
> manual and determined that the fuel pump motor has simply died. I have
> been able to exclude the fuel pump relay and the fuse as being the
> cause.
>

The air temperature in the garage was about 50F while I was working but
I suppose the car and fuel may still have been around 40F. Can you say
why you believe the pump could be hard to release at low temperatures?
Is there some close-fitting latch mechanism? I just ordered the new
fuel pump, Pierburg E3000-55290. I noticed there is a model year split
and mine is the earlier model. However the same pump part number is
specified regardless of whether I choose the late model or early model
option on the Overnight Auto Parts website. I hope this pump works!


Woodchuck wrote:
> No tricks, but if the fuel and tank are cold it may be a bit harder
to
> release the pump.
>
> "Mark" > wrote in message
> oups.com...
> >I have already removed the large nut/ring from the top of the pump
and
> > I was even able to remove the upper assembly. This is the assembly
> > that has the float arm attached to it. When I attempt to remove
the
> > pump from the bottom of the tank it just holds tight. I have the
> > Bentley manual and I am following those directions. The manual
says to
> > turn the pump to the left on the Bayonet connector and remove. I
can
> > get the pump to turn a little back and forth but it definitely will
not
> > come out!
> >
> > Can someone please let me know if there is some kind of trick or
> > expalain how this pump is secured to the tank? Thanks!
> >
> > Background:
> >
> > The car is a 1995 Passat GLX VR6 Sedan with 150,000 miles on the
> > odometer. I was driving down the freeway in about 5F outside temp.
> > The engine suddenly began to hesitate and within about 10 seconds
had
> > completely stopped. Of course I had the car towed into my garage
at
> > home. I briefly believed that the gas line had frozen until I
learned
> > how rare that it is. Now I have completed the checks in the
Bentley
> > manual and determined that the fuel pump motor has simply died. I
have
> > been able to exclude the fuel pump relay and the fuse as being the
> > cause.
> >

It's all made out of plastic and plastic doesn't like to flex when things
are cold.

"Mark" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>
> The air temperature in the garage was about 50F while I was working but
> I suppose the car and fuel may still have been around 40F. Can you say
> why you believe the pump could be hard to release at low temperatures?
> Is there some close-fitting latch mechanism? I just ordered the new
> fuel pump, Pierburg E3000-55290. I noticed there is a model year split
> and mine is the earlier model. However the same pump part number is
> specified regardless of whether I choose the late model or early model
> option on the Overnight Auto Parts website. I hope this pump works!
>
>
> Woodchuck wrote:
>> No tricks, but if the fuel and tank are cold it may be a bit harder
> to
>> release the pump.
>>
>> "Mark" > wrote in message
>> oups.com...
>> >I have already removed the large nut/ring from the top of the pump
> and
>> > I was even able to remove the upper assembly. This is the assembly
>> > that has the float arm attached to it. When I attempt to remove
> the
>> > pump from the bottom of the tank it just holds tight. I have the
>> > Bentley manual and I am following those directions. The manual
> says to
>> > turn the pump to the left on the Bayonet connector and remove. I
> can
>> > get the pump to turn a little back and forth but it definitely will
> not
>> > come out!
>> >
>> > Can someone please let me know if there is some kind of trick or
>> > expalain how this pump is secured to the tank? Thanks!
>> >
>> > Background:
>> >
>> > The car is a 1995 Passat GLX VR6 Sedan with 150,000 miles on the
>> > odometer. I was driving down the freeway in about 5F outside temp.
>> > The engine suddenly began to hesitate and within about 10 seconds
> had
>> > completely stopped. Of course I had the car towed into my garage
> at
>> > home. I briefly believed that the gas line had frozen until I
> learned
>> > how rare that it is. Now I have completed the checks in the
> Bentley
>> > manual and determined that the fuel pump motor has simply died. I
> have
>> > been able to exclude the fuel pump relay and the fuse as being the
>> > cause.
>> >
>

It's all made out of plastic and plastic doesn't like to flex when things
are cold.

"Mark" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>
> The air temperature in the garage was about 50F while I was working but
> I suppose the car and fuel may still have been around 40F. Can you say
> why you believe the pump could be hard to release at low temperatures?
> Is there some close-fitting latch mechanism? I just ordered the new
> fuel pump, Pierburg E3000-55290. I noticed there is a model year split
> and mine is the earlier model. However the same pump part number is
> specified regardless of whether I choose the late model or early model
> option on the Overnight Auto Parts website. I hope this pump works!
>
>
> Woodchuck wrote:
>> No tricks, but if the fuel and tank are cold it may be a bit harder
> to
>> release the pump.
>>
>> "Mark" > wrote in message
>> oups.com...
>> >I have already removed the large nut/ring from the top of the pump
> and
>> > I was even able to remove the upper assembly. This is the assembly
>> > that has the float arm attached to it. When I attempt to remove
> the
>> > pump from the bottom of the tank it just holds tight. I have the
>> > Bentley manual and I am following those directions. The manual
> says to
>> > turn the pump to the left on the Bayonet connector and remove. I
> can
>> > get the pump to turn a little back and forth but it definitely will
> not
>> > come out!
>> >
>> > Can someone please let me know if there is some kind of trick or
>> > expalain how this pump is secured to the tank? Thanks!
>> >
>> > Background:
>> >
>> > The car is a 1995 Passat GLX VR6 Sedan with 150,000 miles on the
>> > odometer. I was driving down the freeway in about 5F outside temp.
>> > The engine suddenly began to hesitate and within about 10 seconds
> had
>> > completely stopped. Of course I had the car towed into my garage
> at
>> > home. I briefly believed that the gas line had frozen until I
> learned
>> > how rare that it is. Now I have completed the checks in the
> Bentley
>> > manual and determined that the fuel pump motor has simply died. I
> have
>> > been able to exclude the fuel pump relay and the fuse as being the
>> > cause.
>> >
>

The air temperature in the garage was about 50F while I was working but
I suppose the car and fuel may still have been around 40F. Can you say
why you believe the pump could be hard to release at low temperatures?
Is there some close-fitting latch mechanism? I just ordered the new
fuel pump, Pierburg E3000-55290. I noticed there is a model year split
and mine is the earlier model. However the same pump part number is
specified regardless of whether I choose the late model or early model
option on the Overnight Auto Parts website. I hope this pump works!


Woodchuck wrote:
> No tricks, but if the fuel and tank are cold it may be a bit harder
to
> release the pump.
>
> "Mark" > wrote in message
> oups.com...
> >I have already removed the large nut/ring from the top of the pump
and
> > I was even able to remove the upper assembly. This is the assembly
> > that has the float arm attached to it. When I attempt to remove
the
> > pump from the bottom of the tank it just holds tight. I have the
> > Bentley manual and I am following those directions. The manual
says to
> > turn the pump to the left on the Bayonet connector and remove. I
can
> > get the pump to turn a little back and forth but it definitely will
not
> > come out!
> >
> > Can someone please let me know if there is some kind of trick or
> > expalain how this pump is secured to the tank? Thanks!
> >
> > Background:
> >
> > The car is a 1995 Passat GLX VR6 Sedan with 150,000 miles on the
> > odometer. I was driving down the freeway in about 5F outside temp.
> > The engine suddenly began to hesitate and within about 10 seconds
had
> > completely stopped. Of course I had the car towed into my garage
at
> > home. I briefly believed that the gas line had frozen until I
learned
> > how rare that it is. Now I have completed the checks in the
Bentley
> > manual and determined that the fuel pump motor has simply died. I
have
> > been able to exclude the fuel pump relay and the fuse as being the
> > cause.
> >

I still cannot get this pump out! I have the flange nut off and the
assembly with the float off (obviously the black supply and return
lines have been removed from this assembly).

I am staring into the tank at the fuel pump and it appears a little
different to me from the pump that I purchased. The one in the tank
appears to have an assembly within an assembly with some rubber bumpers
between them. Is this an anti-vibration mount that is used to quiet
the pump? Does this entire plastic assembly come out or only the
inner plastic assembly? Are there some steel pieces at the bottom of
the tank that hold onto the bottom of the pump by the screen? Does the
outer plastic assembly that I can see somehow hold the pump in place?
How hard can I pull or twist without breaking something? Someone
please help or I will have to have the car towed (as my wife suggested)
and admit I have failed at this job! I am so close! (for now, it is a
balmy 60F in my garage due to a warm front hitting Wisconsin)

thanks!

The entire whitish plastic assembly comes out all together. I usually just
put my hand way down there and turn counterclockwise about 10 degrees to
release the pump assembly.


"Mark" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>I still cannot get this pump out! I have the flange nut off and the
> assembly with the float off (obviously the black supply and return
> lines have been removed from this assembly).
>
> I am staring into the tank at the fuel pump and it appears a little
> different to me from the pump that I purchased. The one in the tank
> appears to have an assembly within an assembly with some rubber bumpers
> between them. Is this an anti-vibration mount that is used to quiet
> the pump? Does this entire plastic assembly come out or only the
> inner plastic assembly? Are there some steel pieces at the bottom of
> the tank that hold onto the bottom of the pump by the screen? Does the
> outer plastic assembly that I can see somehow hold the pump in place?
> How hard can I pull or twist without breaking something? Someone
> please help or I will have to have the car towed (as my wife suggested)
> and admit I have failed at this job! I am so close! (for now, it is a
> balmy 60F in my garage due to a warm front hitting Wisconsin)
>
> thanks!
>

Thanks Woodchuck!

I did get the fuel pump shortly after reading your last post. It did
take a few more tries, but eventually during one attempt when I was
only half-trying it popped right out. I think the problem was that
there is a slight step in the ramp between the two plastic parts (to
lock the pump in place of course). I was probably pulling and turning
at the same time which just made it hold on tighter. You definitely
have to put your hand right in the tank and twist on the bottom and
make sure to turn only without pulling. After the pump turns ( I think
it is closer to 20 degrees) then it easily lifts out.

I chose the Pierburg pump and I was worried at first that it might be
loud because it does not look like the one that I took out. The one
that I took out has the pump suspended in three elastomer links that I
assume are meant to dampen the noise. However the new pump does not
make much noise so I think it will be ok now!. I also replaced the
fuel filter since it was an easy change with pressure off the line.
After that I ran a jumper from Battery positive to the no. 4 terminal
on the fuse panel ( This is visible after you remove the fuel pump
relay) to run the pump and get air out of the line. Then the car
started right up. By the way, I used a couple 11.3 size clamps to
fasten the lines inside the tank to the new pump and on the outside of
the tank, I used four 15.5 to do the fuel supply and return lines and
the lines in and out of the filter. Those are the only parts required
beyond the pump and filter.

Woodchuck wrote:
> The entire whitish plastic assembly comes out all together. I usually
just
> put my hand way down there and turn counterclockwise about 10 degrees
to
> release the pump assembly.
>
>
> "Mark" > wrote in message
> oups.com...
> >I still cannot get this pump out! I have the flange nut off and the
> > assembly with the float off (obviously the black supply and return
> > lines have been removed from this assembly).
> >
> > I am staring into the tank at the fuel pump and it appears a little
> > different to me from the pump that I purchased. The one in the
tank
> > appears to have an assembly within an assembly with some rubber
bumpers
> > between them. Is this an anti-vibration mount that is used to
quiet
> > the pump? Does this entire plastic assembly come out or only the
> > inner plastic assembly? Are there some steel pieces at the bottom
of
> > the tank that hold onto the bottom of the pump by the screen? Does
the
> > outer plastic assembly that I can see somehow hold the pump in
place?
> > How hard can I pull or twist without breaking something? Someone
> > please help or I will have to have the car towed (as my wife
suggested)
> > and admit I have failed at this job! I am so close! (for now, it
is a
> > balmy 60F in my garage due to a warm front hitting Wisconsin)
> >
> > thanks!
> >

Good job, now you know what we go through at times!

"Mark" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Thanks Woodchuck!
>
> I did get the fuel pump shortly after reading your last post. It did
> take a few more tries, but eventually during one attempt when I was
> only half-trying it popped right out. I think the problem was that
> there is a slight step in the ramp between the two plastic parts (to
> lock the pump in place of course). I was probably pulling and turning
> at the same time which just made it hold on tighter. You definitely
> have to put your hand right in the tank and twist on the bottom and
> make sure to turn only without pulling. After the pump turns ( I think
> it is closer to 20 degrees) then it easily lifts out.
>
> I chose the Pierburg pump and I was worried at first that it might be
> loud because it does not look like the one that I took out. The one
> that I took out has the pump suspended in three elastomer links that I
> assume are meant to dampen the noise. However the new pump does not
> make much noise so I think it will be ok now!. I also replaced the
> fuel filter since it was an easy change with pressure off the line.
> After that I ran a jumper from Battery positive to the no. 4 terminal
> on the fuse panel ( This is visible after you remove the fuel pump
> relay) to run the pump and get air out of the line. Then the car
> started right up. By the way, I used a couple 11.3 size clamps to
> fasten the lines inside the tank to the new pump and on the outside of
> the tank, I used four 15.5 to do the fuel supply and return lines and
> the lines in and out of the filter. Those are the only parts required
> beyond the pump and filter.
>
> Woodchuck wrote:
>> The entire whitish plastic assembly comes out all together. I usually
> just
>> put my hand way down there and turn counterclockwise about 10 degrees
> to
>> release the pump assembly.
>>
>>
>> "Mark" > wrote in message
>> oups.com...
>> >I still cannot get this pump out! I have the flange nut off and the
>> > assembly with the float off (obviously the black supply and return
>> > lines have been removed from this assembly).
>> >
>> > I am staring into the tank at the fuel pump and it appears a little
>> > different to me from the pump that I purchased. The one in the
> tank
>> > appears to have an assembly within an assembly with some rubber
> bumpers
>> > between them. Is this an anti-vibration mount that is used to
> quiet
>> > the pump? Does this entire plastic assembly come out or only the
>> > inner plastic assembly? Are there some steel pieces at the bottom
> of
>> > the tank that hold onto the bottom of the pump by the screen? Does
> the
>> > outer plastic assembly that I can see somehow hold the pump in
> place?
>> > How hard can I pull or twist without breaking something? Someone
>> > please help or I will have to have the car towed (as my wife
> suggested)
>> > and admit I have failed at this job! I am so close! (for now, it
> is a
>> > balmy 60F in my garage due to a warm front hitting Wisconsin)
>> >
>> > thanks!
>> >
>