95 Legacy Outback Wagon - How to access Fuel Pump?

[95LEGOBW]

The fuel pump on my 95 Outback Legacy Wagon has died. The fuel pump is inside the gas tank.

 

There does not appear to be an access panel behind the back seat.

 

Am I missing something? It sure would be great to not have to drain the tank and drop it.

 

I've checked the online places that show pictures of an access panel under the carpet, but I don't see that on my car. Is that possible?

 

Thanks.

[danbennett2u]

I know it is a different generation but on my 92 there is a smallish metal body color panel immediately behind the passenger rear seatback under the carpet. Would be very surprised if they removed that in the gen2 legacy.

[Dylan]

Did you pull up the carpet?

[MilesFox]

it's there, and there are a bunch of 8mm nuts holding it down. it looks like a submarine hatch of sorts.

 

you will have to twist and turn to get the housing/fuel sender out.

 

be careful and dont do what i did. I broke off the little needle on the variable resistor for the sender. This happened on the install, and it was dark out in a grocery store parkinglot emergency fix.

 

overall it was an easy job. be mindful of fire safety.

[95legwagon]

its definitly there..... i have a 95 legacy wagon (same car with dif. trim) ive snooped to see if i have it.... theres actually 2 access holes to the gas tank n i believe its on the drivers side (the one your looking for) directly behind back seats under all the carpet.... i believe theres a lil cardboard like piece you have to pull off to see it.... hope this helps

 

 

jarrid

[propane]

on Passenger side, Sure hope it is the fuel pump, as they get expensive .

Its as Miles fox sez, a twisty turn and up to get it out. hardest part for me is undoing the pressure hose to the oval tank top. I have the same lack of technique for the pressure hose to the engine, always chew up the hose rubber. That I can easliy replace w/ Napa hose which is a looser fit.

 

NOT THE CASE with fuel pump, cant access the fuel out pressure line from under or inside the car, (It goes to a metal line "harness" similar to those that route vacuum under the engine manifold) , too short to cut off bad end and stretch. Sooo, careful to preserve hose, its the one w/ stainless clamp, phillips head screw. BTW

with the carpet out of way- Its a wagon right?- is agood time to listen for the pump to run, while "cycling the key" on/ off several times. A way to affirm pump running> they almost never go bad, just saying... this is a pressurized fuel line. would be way better to have a Haynes manual to outline safety procedures

Edited December 21, 2011 by propane
safety

[MilesFox]

put a rag over the hose to catch fuel, or run the car and unplug the pump so it stalls.

 

i stress fire safety not for this reason, but because you are opening the top of a whole gas tank with gas in it, and all that vapor potential in a confined space.

 

work with the gate open and the windows down. As long as you are not getting dizzy, you are ventilated enough.

[davebugs]

I have several used sets of both sides that seemed to work when I scraped cars here.

 

They have been stored for a year or so I don't know if that'd screw up any seals.

[95LEGOBW]

It was, indeed, there behind the seats. What was confusing were the tubes & wires accessible UNDER the seat, where there was no access panel. Thanks to you folks, we kept looking, and found it, right where you said.