Because I was going to replace my fuel pump, I ran my tank damn near to empty, only to find that the car was SO low on fuel I might not get home!

So I put in a 1/4 tank of gas, and headed home. I started the fuel pump replacement rather late, and wanted to avoid the presence of any ignition sources and keep the car well-ventilated, so I did it outside my garage. I cranked it 2 times with the fuel pump fuse removed, ran the car till it died each time. My first mistake, I guess, was not doing this a few more times. Also, I was parked on an incline with my fuel tank elevated above my engine, so I assumed the car would continue to crank even without the fuel pump operating...

Long story short, ! may have about a half-pint of gasoline around the rear passenger area where the sear once was. The plastic connectors on the top of the sender/floater unit which normally have no reason to come in contact with fuel certainly have at this point. I suppose I have made enough mistakes at this point...

Because it is dark out, I have left the install incomplete. I have partially re-sealed the plate on top of the gas tank (some fumes may escape, but without completing the install, a partial seal is the best i can get) and I have basically left the two rear doors open to vent the car.

Anything else I can do to mitigate the hazard currently sitting in my driveway? After the install is complete, what kind of steps can be taken to rid the car of the gasoline and attendant fumes?

Ignition sources= bad, so no flaming, please...

 

Install the cover back over the tank. Its just three bolts and will seal off the source.

But if you have everything out, chaning the fuel pump shouldnt take you more than 10 minutes now (some fuel lines can be stubborn). Put back together in 10min and job done.