Replacing Fuel Tank Straps: 98 Plymouth Neon Guide

If you're looking to replace the fuel tank straps on your 1998 Plymouth Neon, you've come to the right place. Fuel tank straps are essential, as they securely mount the fuel tank to the vehicle's frame, ensuring safe and reliable fuel transportation. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you with the replacement process:

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

2. Relieve the fuel system pressure.

3. Raise and safely support your vehicle.

4. Drain the fuel tank into an approved container.

5. Wrap shop towels around the fuel hoses to catch any spills when disconnecting the lines.

6. Detach the fuel pump module electrical connector and disconnect the quick-connect fuel tubes from the module.

7. Support the fuel tank with a transmission jack and loosen the tank mounting straps.

8. Lower the tank slightly and disconnect the fuel filler tube and filler vent tube from the filler hose at the tank.

9. Disconnect the fuel filler vapor relief tube from the tee connecting it to the tank vapor relief tube and EVAP canister tube.

10. Detach the vapor line from the EVAP canister tube.

11. Remove the fuel tank mounting straps and carefully remove the fuel tank from the vehicle.

12. Install the new fuel tank straps and reverse the above steps to reassemble the components.

Please note that you may need to twist the straps 90 degrees to remove them, and ensure that the new straps are not twisted or bent during installation. Additionally, always refer to a professional mechanic or a repair manual for detailed instructions specific to your vehicle.

Removing the fuel tank

To remove the fuel tank from a 1998 Plymouth Neon, first disconnect the negative battery cable. Next, relieve the fuel system pressure and raise the vehicle, supporting it securely. Drain the fuel tank into an approved container. Wrap shop towels around the fuel hoses to catch any gas that may spill when the lines are disconnected. Detach the fuel pump module electrical connector.

Disconnect the quick-connect fuel tubes from the fuel pump module and disconnect the fuel supply tube from the chassis tube. Support the fuel tank with a transmission jack and loosen the tank mounting straps, then lower the tank slightly.

Disconnect the fuel filler tube and filler vent tube from the filler hose at the fuel tank. Disconnect the fuel filler vapor relief tube from the tee connecting it to the tank vapor relief tube and EVAP canister tube. Detach the vapor line from the EVAP canister tube.

Remove the fuel tank mounting straps, then carefully remove the fuel tank from the vehicle.

If you are having trouble removing the straps, you may need to twist them 90 degrees to slide them out.

Disconnecting the battery

• Park your car and engage the parking brake: Find a flat, level surface to park your car and make sure the engine is turned off. Engage the parking brake to prevent accidental movement of the vehicle.
• Locate the battery: The battery in your Plymouth Neon is typically located in the engine compartment, towards the front of the vehicle. It is usually held in place by a metal bracket and has two terminals, marked positive (+) and negative (-).
• Disconnect the negative terminal first: Loosen the nut or bolt holding the negative (black) battery cable to the negative terminal of the battery using the appropriate wrench or socket. Carefully lift the cable off the terminal. You may need to wiggle it gently to detach it completely. Be cautious not to let the cable touch any metal parts of the car, as this could lead to a short circuit.
• Disconnect the positive terminal: Once the negative cable is disconnected, move on to the positive (red) cable. Again, loosen the nut or bolt securing the cable to the positive terminal and remove the cable. Ensure that the positive cable does not touch any metal surfaces or the negative terminal.
• Secure the cables: After both cables are disconnected, make sure to secure them away from the battery and any metal parts to prevent accidental contact. You can use tape or a cable tie to hold them in place.
• Verify disconnection: To ensure the battery is completely disconnected, you can use a multimeter to test the voltage between the terminals. Set the multimeter to measure voltage (usually denoted by a "V" symbol) and touch the red probe to the positive terminal and the black probe to the negative terminal. The reading should be close to zero, indicating that the battery is successfully disconnected.

Remember, working with car batteries can be dangerous, so always exercise caution and wear appropriate protective gear, such as gloves and eye protection.

Draining the fuel tank

To drain the fuel tank of your 1998 Plymouth Neon, you will need to follow these steps:

Firstly, disconnect the negative battery cable. This is an essential safety precaution. Next, relieve the fuel system pressure. You can then raise and safely support the vehicle.

Now, you can begin to drain the fuel tank. Wrap shop towels around the fuel hoses to catch any fuel that may spill when the lines are disconnected. You will then need to detach the fuel pump module electrical connector. The location of this will vary depending on the year of your vehicle. For a 1995 model, the connector is located near the fuel pump module. For 1996-99 models, simply unplug the connector.

At this point, you can disconnect the quick-connect fuel tubes from the fuel pump module. You will also need to disconnect the fuel supply tube from the chassis tube. Now, you can carefully lower the tank slightly and disconnect the fuel filler tube and filler vent tube from the filler hose at the fuel tank. Again, the location of these tubes will vary depending on the year of your vehicle. For a 1995 model, refer to the relevant diagram. For 1996-99 models, the locations are shown in a separate diagram.

You can now disconnect the fuel filler vapor relief tube from the tee connecting it to the tank vapor relief tube and EVAP canister tube. Finally, detach the vapor line from the EVAP canister tube.

Once these steps are complete, you will have successfully drained the fuel tank of your 1998 Plymouth Neon.

Disconnecting the fuel pump

To disconnect the fuel pump of a 1997 Plymouth Neon, follow these steps:

First, disconnect the negative battery cable. Next, relieve the fuel system pressure. Then, raise and safely support the vehicle. Drain the fuel tank into an approved container. Wrap shop towels around the fuel hoses to catch any gas that may spill when the lines are disconnected. Now, detach the fuel pump module electrical connector. Disconnect the quick-connect fuel tubes from the fuel pump module. Disconnect the fuel supply tube from the chassis tube. If necessary, refer to the quick-connect fitting information.

These steps are essential for safely disconnecting the fuel pump in a 1997 Plymouth Neon. It is important to work carefully and refer to the appropriate instructions and guidelines for your vehicle.

Removing and replacing the straps

To remove and replace the straps on your 1998 Plymouth Neon, you will first need to disconnect the negative battery cable. Next, relieve the fuel system pressure and raise the vehicle safely. It is recommended to drain the fuel tank into an approved container. Wrap shop towels around the fuel hoses to catch any fuel that may spill when the lines are disconnected.

Detach the fuel pump module electrical connector. Disconnect the quick-connect fuel tubes from the fuel pump module and the fuel supply tube from the chassis tube.

Now, support the fuel tank with a transmission jack. Loosen the tank mounting straps and lower the tank slightly. You will then need to disconnect the fuel filler tube and filler vent tube from the filler hose at the tank.

At this point, you can remove the fuel tank mounting straps and carefully remove the tank from the vehicle.

To install the new straps, position the fuel tank onto the transmission jack and raise it into position. Connect the fuel filler tube tank inlet nipple and tighten the fuel tank strap nuts to 17 ft. lbs. (23 Nm). Ensure the straps are not twisted or bent.

Finally, attach the quick-connect fuel tubes to the pump module and chassis fuel tube. Reinstall the fuel tank and carefully lower the vehicle. Fill the fuel tank, install the filler cap, and connect the negative battery cable.

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