Posted: 6/30/2008 2:41:13 PM EDT
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So, for those of you who know, my truck has been down for alittle while now. Yesterday, fellow board member Ahamilton and I dropped my gas tank, and installed a new fuel pump as well as a new fuel filter. I have no experience with auto repair, so it was an interesting experience. Easier then I thought it would be technical wise, but the brute effort was on par with what I expected. Works fine now, with better MPG, a smoother idle then before the pump broke. Also, while the tank was off, I cleaned it out as best as I could and found a fair amount of residue in the bottom as well as some small bits of chunky stuff. I'd have to say that if you have a car that is nearing the 10 year mark, it probably wouldn't be a bad thing to have your tank cleaned. Apparently modern gas has more particulates in it then I thought it did......  I'm still wondering why GM made it so that the tank needs to be removed to change the fuel pump....not a very good design. |
True dat, yo. The more I do, the more I learn about my truck. Soon i'll be able to do it all. I refuse to take it to a shop if there is any possible way I can figure it out and fix it myself. Even though I don't know shit about cars. So far, i'm at 100% success rate too! 
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Yup, all the quotes for repair at a shop were between $800 and $1000. I did it all for $150 or so. And that included a fuel pressure guage. |
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I had to do a fuel pump on an '81 Accord years ago. After pulling the left rear wheel off all that was required was pulling two bolts and disconnecting the two fuel lines. It was about a 20 minute job. Easier than changing a fuel filter on most cars. I think most US car manufactures have a deep hatred for their customers. |
very good advice....all manufacturers are putting the pumps in the fuel tank.......all this stuff is in the name of emission control. |
more of a having a smaller pump do more thing, it needs to be cooled somehow so instead of having an external air cooled pump with extra machining to make a heat sink for it to keep it cool, why not make it liquid cooled make it smaller and put it in product? electric pumps don't really do good at suction they are better for pressure. Also and this is just a guess they make you drop the tank because they don't want the liability of a gasket on the side or bottom of the tank which will be submerged every time the tank gets filled, vaporous fuel near exhaust=bad |
The geezer is correct. |
ever seen the pump assembly of a late model vehicle?.....it is quite large as compared to earlier units. |
Yup, it's a pretty big beastie compared to the pumps for the same model of truck, earlier year models. The price was correspondingly much higher as well...  It's a good thing the gas tank was plastic too. It'd have been a heavy bitch if it were steel. |
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It is much easier to PUSH fuel than the PULL fuel through the lines. Having the pump in the tank solves several problems for THEM at build time: fewer connections to fuel lines, smaller pump required, cooling, etc. So you bought your car for $5 less because of the fuel pump location. My 96 Corvette has a access plate into the tank. I need to pull the gause sending unit for cleaning so the gauge will read more accurately (currently it reads FULL for the first 1/4 tank, then slowly goes down to the 1/2 tank mark when it has only 1/4 tank left, then falls from 1/4 to FEED ME NOW in about 3 miles). Rob |
I have a method for doing these....usually takes me about an hour...a lift helps. |
i'm not sure what is wrong with it...i just moved and life has been hectic so i really haven't had a chance to take a good look see..... it would turn over but not catch....it had gas so i thought i'd check to see if i was getting spark...i pulled the coil wire off to check and the damn thing fell apart...  guess it is time for a bit of a tune up....got the parts, maybe i'll give it a go tomorrow...if i can't figure it out, expect to see an im inquiring as to what sort of beer you like 
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Changing the oil are we? |
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I just did an 81 accord pump a few days ago. Didn't even pull the wheel. Rolled the rear left tire up onto a block of wood (by hand by myself, damn near made me feel like the hulk), rolled under with the creeper, pulled the 4 bolts and the 3 holding pump to the bracket, swapped the lines, and put it back togetehr. Would have been a 10 minute job or less if I'd gotten a direct-fit replacement, but I went with a universal pump for half the price. Still fit pretty good though. |
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(Just for jeri534, ETA- that's not a damn bit Better than the fiasco I went thru...... When I returned from my last trip, the truck died at Koters' house. The next day I limped it into nisqually to the local gas station/mechanic.....$800+ Clams later I left with a new fuel pump on my way home. Ouch...Thank God for saving while deployed!  Ouch for the dude with THOSE plugs. |
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It is incredible the amount of $$ you can save yourself with a little know-how and some sweat equity. I think it is always good to know at least a little bit about the machines that you use, even if you aren't a mechanic. Now if I could just keep my damn garage clean. |
I thought all chevys did that? My 94 chevy truck, 100 miles to get down to Full, 250 miles at Half, and at 300 I better be looking for a gas staion. |
there is an updated pump harness that fixes that........My 98 never goes below 3/4....at 300 miles I'm looking for a gas station as well. I figure when either the pump fails or I get ambitious I'm going to fix that. |
Cool, let me know. |
| On the fuel pump issue at the top of the topic... was it a pickup truck? next time, try simply unbolting the bed and lifting that off to get to the fuel tank. No need to jack up the truck and take the fuel tank out from underneath. I did this with when I had a 1990 Dodge Dakota longbed. |
S10 blazer. No such luck......  |