Replacing The Fuel Pump In A 2002 Lexus Is300: Step-By-Step Guide

Replacing a fuel pump can be an expensive task, but if you're mechanically inclined, you can save a few hundred dollars by doing it yourself. This article will cover the steps and tools required to replace the fuel pump in a 2002 Lexus IS300. It is important to note that the symptoms of a failing pump may be similar to a clogged fuel filter, so it is recommended to change the filter before replacing the pump as it is a much cheaper and easier fix.

Remove the back seat

To remove the back seat of a 2002 Lexus IS300, you will need to locate the two metal clips that hold the seat bottoms to the body of the car. These can be found by feeling under the seat where the seat bottom meets the floorboard. Once you have located the clips, tug on them until you hear a pop. After that, the seat will be able to be removed easily.

This process will grant you access to the fuel pump, which can be found by locating the fuel pump access cover on the passenger side of the car. The cover is slightly rounded and triangular in shape, and is held in place by three bolts.

Locate the fuel pump

To locate the fuel pump in your 2002 Lexus IS300, start by removing the bottom of the back seat. The seat bottoms are held to the body by two metal clips. Feel under the seat until you find the two metal clips where the seat bottom meets the floorboard. Pull on the clips until you hear a pop, then remove the seat.

Next, locate the fuel pump access cover on the passenger side of the vehicle. It will be in the shape of a slightly rounded triangle and will be secured by three bolts. Remove these bolts and take off the cover.

Now you should be able to see the fuel pump surrounded by a ring with bolts, usually eight of them. This is the location of the fuel pump in your 2002 Lexus IS300.

Before attempting any DIY repairs, make sure to consult a qualified mechanic or a professional repair manual for specific instructions and safety precautions.

Disconnect the fuel lines

Disconnecting the fuel lines of your 2002 Lexus IS300 is a delicate task that requires careful attention to detail. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

First, locate the fuel pump access cover on the passenger side of the vehicle. It will be in the shape of a slightly rounded triangle. There will be three bolts holding it in place, so you will need to remove these with the appropriate tool.

Once the cover is removed, you will see the fuel pump surrounded by bolts, usually eight of them. These bolts need to be removed as well.

Now, we can focus on the fuel lines. The first fuel line is held in place by a yellow clip. Grasp this clip from the back and slowly twist it back and forth while pulling back until it comes off. This will allow you to remove the fuel line by pulling up on it from the base.

The next fuel line is hidden, so you will need to pull the pump up to see it. It is held in place by a band-style clamp. Use pliers to slowly slide the clamp down and off the hose. Alternatively, you can slide under the vehicle and try to loosen it from there.

With both fuel lines disconnected, you can now focus on removing the fuel pump itself. However, before you do so, it is important to line the area around the pump and the inside of the car with paper towels in case there is any gas left in the lines. This will help prevent spills and minimise the risk of fire.

Now you are ready to remove the fuel pump. Simply follow the reverse process of installation, making sure to check for any leaks once the new pump is installed.

Remove the old fuel pump

To remove the old fuel pump from your 2002 Lexus IS300, you will first need to gain access to it. Start by removing the bottom of the back seat. The seat bottoms are held to the body by two metal clips. Feel under the seat until you locate these clips where the seat bottom meets the floorboard. Pull on the clips until you hear a pop, then remove the seat.

Next, locate the fuel pump access cover on the passenger side of the vehicle. It will be triangular in shape. Unbolt the three bolts holding the cover in place and remove it.

Now you will be able to see the fuel pump surrounded by a ring with bolts. Remove these bolts. To remove the first fuel line, you will need to remove the yellow clip holding it in place. Grasp it from the back and slowly twist it back and forth while pulling back until it comes off.

Line the area around the top of the pump and the inside of the car with paper towels to catch any spilled fuel. Pull up on the first fuel line to remove it.

The next hose is hidden, so you will need to pull the pump up to see it. It is held on with a band-style clamp. Use pliers to slowly slide it down and off, or slide under the vehicle to loosen it.

The last step is to remove the fuel level indicator. With the hose from step four removed, rotate the indicator until it clears the opening in the car. To do this, reach your hand down around the fuel pump and partially into the tank.

With the pump pulled through the opening, you can now disconnect the electrical connector.

Install the new fuel pump

Installing the new fuel pump is a straightforward process and can be done by following the removal process in reverse.

First, lower the new pump into the opening and reconnect the electrical connector. Next, rotate the fuel level indicator back into place. You can then reconnect the hoses. The first hose is connected with a yellow clip, which you can secure by grasping it from the back and twisting it back and forth while pulling. The second hose is hidden and secured with a band-style clamp, which you can tighten with pliers.

After reconnecting the hoses, secure the pump with the eight bolts around the ring. Finally, you can replace the fuel pump access cover by bolting it back into place and reinstalling the back seat.

It is recommended to run the vehicle before finishing bolting on the cover and reinstalling the seat to check for any leaks.

Frequently asked questions