89 Caravan Is There a Hatch on Floor Over Fuel Tank?

HI - I saw a friend of mine at the post office - I need to replace the fuel pump on the 89 Caravan. He has done a couple dodges that had a hatch on the floor (to unscrew) to get to the to the top of the gas tank, which then would let one get the fuel pump out of the gas tank - he thought the caravan should have a hatch - does anyone know? The carpet was replaced a couple years ago - I am not sure how to get the carpet off to look & I also did not want to mess the carpet up if there was not a hatch there. I'd gladly chance messing the carpet up if there is a hatch there. :smile:

WE have all been looking for that hatch and on the other side there would be Nirvana. But alas there is no such hatch because if there was a hatch it may prove that the idiots that disigned these vans may have half a brain. I posted this answer to your question a while back on how to remove the fuel pump on your van:
Isn't it always the thing what do you do with all that gas? This is one reason it is recommended that one should not let the tank go below 1/4 tank so you don't start sucking in all the junk that is on the bottom. These gas pumps were not very good from the start. You should be happy that you got as long as you did out of it. My 88' went out about 10 years ago. Well now back to the problem. Please don't do this alone if you get into trouble you would want someone else there with you. Put the van up on car ramps or jack stands if you have them just the rear wheels do this with safety in mind as you will be laying under it for a while and I would want to read about you being crushed. Don't forget to block the front wheels so it will not roll. Disconnect the battery ground cable. Remove the filler cap before disconnecting any lines. This will release the pressure in the tank. The tank drain tube is on the front passenger side of the tank it is clamped to the frame there. Make sure that you have enough cans for the amount of gas that you have in the tank. A large funnel could help too. The more gas you get out of it the lighter it will be. Then remove the filler tube to the inner and outer quarter panel. Disconnect the wiring and lines from the tank. The tank is held up by two straps unbolt them and the tank will drop down have some cement blocks under it within just a couple of inches or something high enough so that the tank doesn’t just drop on the ground. Now the pump, the pump is in the rear top of the tank using a hammer and a nonmetallic punch (brass or wood) tap the pump lock ring "counterclockwise" to release the pump. The gasket should be replaced as well. When you put the new one back in do not over tighten it as it could leak. You may want to go for the whole thing when you see what a pain in the ass this is. You will not want to do this again. Oh yea "NO SMOKING" Ride On, digimon

Oh yes I had a second post on this as well here it is:
Also while you are under the van you should replace the fuel filter. It is on the passenger side about half way up to the front tucted up in-between two of the frame ribs. Ride on, digimon

Hi and thank you Digimon - I am sorry I did not see your answer. I checked back for an answer but obviously, not enough. I can do this now with all the steps you gave - I needed them as I did not know anything. I think from what you were saying, I may need to get the whole assembly - it is tuff to change just the pump part? Thank you again.

Just hit that lock ring "counterclockwise" make sure you use a nonmetallic punch, sparks aren't too good to have here. You have 4 spots to hit the lock ring use them all as not to bugger up just the one. Once you spin the pump out of the top of the tank it justs lifts out. The pump is connected to the the fuel return hose to the reservior which is inside the tank you must also disconnect this from the pump as well. Sinse you've got the tank out take some of that clean gas that you drained out and rinse out all the setiment out of the tank 15 years worth. You will be amazed how much there is. Be careful not to mess up the float from the fuel gauge sending unit with the position of the new pump. Don't do this job alone I've heard of too many shadetree mechanics getting themselves hurt once a car gets put up on blocks. Jack stands or ramps are better. Always safety first. Ride On, digimon :bananadie

Thanks again - I do have a jack and jackstands. I'll be glad to get this back on the road - my 86 Ford E350 1 ton Van really guzzles the gas. Both our vehicles are wheelchair equiped with a raised roof as my wife is a quadriplegic. We just got this Caravan a year and a half ago - it had alot of work done to it. It doesn't use oil so I started using Mobel one in it

I had a 1982 Chev G30 1 ton 350 4 barrell its' mileage was in the single digits. It wasn't how many miles per gallon it got, it was, would it make it to the next gas station without running out of gas. When I sold it the first guys that came to look at it. Took one look at it and asked me about the size of the engine and carb. When I told them they just turned around and left without saying a word. I knew just how they felt only I was still there with the thing and I felt worse. I did finally sell it about a week later for $1500. Man was I glad to see the rear end of that van leave the drive, with me sitting there with a fist full of dollars. Ride On, digimon

Hmm..While ya got the tank out-might behoove ya to cut a hole above where the fuel pump goes and make a gasket and put another piece of sheet metal back over that hole and put the carpet back over it for next time ;)