were you not a bit aprehensive about connecting electrics up in the fuel tank?

just i was thinking, just one tiny spark, is all it would take

anyone else worry about electrics in the fuel tank? i need my mind setting at rest

 

lift the whole fuel pump assembly out?

 

fuel doesn't conduct electricity.. so as long as the 12+ andf ground don't touch you are okay..

Simon

 

is there much difference between the walbro gss341 & gss342 pumps

 

the side the outlet is on the pump.. one is newage and one is classic.. but either will fit either by bending the pipe..

Simon

 

Haha, I had the same worry when me and a mate fitted mine. Luckily I had remote start on my scoob so we stood back a bit to start it but thankfully all went well, no boom!!! Crazy idea though if you ask me

 

 

It's the same on airplanes,all the fuel sender probe connections in the tanks are submersed in the fuel,so it must be safe!

 

When you solder the connections, cover them with a heat shrink cover, that will prevent any possibility of the wires contacting.

 

if you look at the early classic impreza fuel pump set-up you will see that it has ring terminals with exposed studs............perfectly fine

 

normal heat shrink is not fuel proof..

as has been said by many.. there is no issue just be sensible with the connections and cable tie so if the connection was exposed it wouldn't touch etc

Simon

 

Further to what Simon has said: petrol doesnt explode, in fact, you can put out a cigarette in petrol. Its only the vapour that is dangerous. I feel cheated by The Professionals: dont you?

Simon

 

sorry for the hijac, does the walbro pump have a high pitch whine while running? seemed to notice this in mine lately and it seems to be really thirsty, anyone else had this problem?

 

Funnily enough mine is fairly loud (I suppose as loud as fuel pumps get) and my car seems noticeably thirstier than it once was. I didn't think these used more fuel unless you really push the car?

 

just have to keep fuel tank topped up so no vapour in tank lol

 

walbro can over power the standard fuel pressure regulator when not much fuel is being consumed by the injectors (cruise and idle) and therefore the fuel pressure increase and it use more fuel.. but the most likely reason for increased fuel consumption is lambda sensor or leaking dump valve.

Simon

 

Cheers for that, it had a new lambda sensor for its last m.o.t., and it has a vta dump valve on, cant remember which i think its a forge, would it be constantly hissing if its leaking?

 

you may hear it and feel it holding back on light throttle..

Simon

 

Under normal operation the atmosphere in the fuel tank is too rich to ignite because there is too little oxygen. I could go into LEL (lower explosive limit) and HEL (higher explosive limit) but it's really not that interesting.

True, a lit cigarette won't ignite petrol when dropped in it, so why ban smoking on garage forecourts? Well, the danger is that you might try to spark up a *** whilst filling up.

The connection plug on the fuel pump separates the cores of the connections in the tank, just make sure that you don't try to connect/disconnect the plugs over the opening in the tank when changing your pump, this could cause a spark and the atmosphere at the opening of the fuel tank will be explosive. Also, try to cover the tank opening with a cotton rag whilst you've got the pump out.....don't use nylon or polyester as this could cause a spark too.

 

Hehe I guess most of just live life dangerously! I just took a chance with mine. True I insulated the wires but still had no idea what would happen with two bare electrical wires sat in a few gallons of fuel. It's quite daunting to be honest and I'm not surprised its been raised on here, maybe someone whould make a step by step guide with pictures or something so others that join don't feel so weary of doing it. I'd have made one but mines fitted now and I don't like messing with something if it ain't broke

 

nothing will happen with non insulated wires in the tank as long as they cannot touch each other

what did you insulate them with? is it petrol proof?

Simon

 

simplest way is to disconnect the battery prior to doing this then you have nothing to worry about

 

actually that makes no difference as you remove the complete cage with pump and wiring do the connections and then plug it back in.. all with no power until you turn the ignition on

Simon

 

what would you recommend Simon?

you say heat shrink is not petrol proof, by that do you mean the fuel will rot it away?

would some heat shrink and a couple of cable ties to ensure no contact between connections do the trick?

I have one in my car already but did not fit it, I am due to fit a mates tomorrow afternoon and was gonna use heat shrink and cable ties to seperate the connections

 

Stagger the joins that way its impossible for them to touch. No insulation need then.

 

I don't know whether its safe or not but I used some old vinyl used for boat graphics as its all I had lying round at the time, is this safe to use?

 

Get yourself some deisel or gasoline proof heat shrink rubber. I did it with electrical tape to start and when i checked 4 weeks later there was no trace of it. The petrol compeltely desolved it!



I think Simon advised me not to use electrical tape but i was on a role to get the bits fitted before it was mapped

1. Make a good join, i had to join three wires to each poleand the same for the positive terminal

2. Decent eletrical solder, (the one with the silicon core i believe)
3. Heatshrink rubber over the topI called a company called shrinktek and some hottie (phone hottie) advised me to use a part called SE150 which is a good allrounder. Of course you could probably get it elsewhere but...

Shrinktek Polymers International