Fuel Pump Died

jkbetker21 · January 5, 2010

Hello,

Yesterday on my way to work my fuel pump died. Got the truck towed back to my place and started working. I cannot seem to get the tank down for the life of me. I can't get the filler hose off.

What is the best way to get the tank out with limited tools?

txab · January 6, 2010

Raise the bed and slide it back. No need to drop the tank.

hpracing10 · January 6, 2010

Raise the bed and slide it back. No need to drop the tank.

Agreed. I have done my fuel pump on my '03 three times, first time dropped the tank when it was full, second time dropped the tank when it was empty, and the last time I pulled the bed and slid it back. Pulling the bed was BY FAR easier than dropping the tank, even with the tank empty. My first time doing it, it literally took me 15 minutes from the time I started to when I had the bed off and was staring at the top of the fuel tank. If you do choose to drop the tank, using a transmission jack or something of the sort works the best to lower the tank to the ground. An extra set of hands will also benifit you along with a 12 pk.

250motorsportz · January 6, 2010

I did my dad's Escalade on my STREET, facing downhill. No extra help, one jack, two blocks in the front, very limited tools and tank was 1/4 full. Took me 6 hours ... first fuel pump ever changed but at the end of the day, the truck started right up and has been running awesome since.

jkbetker21 · January 8, 2010

Got a new question...

I had to order a new filler pipe and was sent the wrong one, it is about 3" too short. My question is, can I replace the filler hose with a piece of standard 3" rubber heater hose? I am talking about the rubber section of hose between the tank and the filler pipe.

Dooner · January 9, 2010

Man, that's the only sure problem I've found with GM trucks is the fuel pump going out. Happened to me on my '88 Blazer, '99 Tahoe, and now my '04 2500HD. Wish they would fix that problem already.

Nytemare · January 9, 2010

Man, that's the only sure problem I've found with GM trucks is the fuel pump going out. Happened to me on my '88 Blazer, '99 Tahoe, and now my '04 2500HD. Wish they would fix that problem already.

Seriously...your complaining that you have to replace a fuel pump after 6 years of service? Good luck getting a replacement that lasts that long.

BTW...in case you dont know...best preventative action you can take to prolong the life of your pump is never let the tank go below half...I'm guilty of this most of the time too.

Dooner · January 9, 2010

Wasn't after 6 yrs of service, it's happened to each of those vehicles I've listed. Changing out fuel pumps may be ok with you, but I for one don't enjoy the cost & labor involved.

Nytemare · January 9, 2010

Wasn't after 6 yrs of service, it's happened to each of those vehicles I've listed. Changing out fuel pumps may be ok with you, but I for one don't enjoy the cost & labor involved.

Not bad by me...but I'm usually the one charging the labor

And by 6 years of service I mean...the fuel pump served the truck for 6 years...(04...so actually 03 to 09ish).

Just keep fuel in the tank at bare minimum above 1/4...hoot for 1/2 though, and every so often, run some Lucas upper cylinder lube through...it works as an injector cleaner, valve and upper cylinder cleaner/lube and fuel system lubricant, keeps the pump running for a little while longer. After 5 years on an OE pump and averaging 12K a year the pump is on borrowed time. Some people get lucky and have theirs for quite a long time...some put 3 years worth of driving on in a year and only get a couple years out of one...not much you can do really...I've had to replace my fair share of pumps in my vehicles too...

Spurshot · January 9, 2010

My 99 2500's pump lasted 8 yrs and about 180,000 miles. I killed it with a plugged filter.

jabo052 · January 9, 2010

Wasn't after 6 yrs of service, it's happened to each of those vehicles I've listed. Changing out fuel pumps may be ok with you, but I for one don't enjoy the cost & labor involved.

After 5 years on an OE pump and averaging 12K a year the pump is on borrowed time. Some people get lucky and have theirs for quite a long time...some put 3 years worth of driving on in a year and only get a couple years out of one..

Yeah, the original pump in my '02 lasted over 200k before it left me stranded about 2 hours from home. Only reason the truck was ever towed.

Dooner · January 10, 2010

Wasn't after 6 yrs of service, it's happened to each of those vehicles I've listed. Changing out fuel pumps may be ok with you, but I for one don't enjoy the cost & labor involved.

Not bad by me...but I'm usually the one charging the labor

And by 6 years of service I mean...the fuel pump served the truck for 6 years...(04...so actually 03 to 09ish).

Just keep fuel in the tank at bare minimum above 1/4...hoot for 1/2 though, and every so often, run some Lucas upper cylinder lube through...it works as an injector cleaner, valve and upper cylinder cleaner/lube and fuel system lubricant, keeps the pump running for a little while longer. After 5 years on an OE pump and averaging 12K a year the pump is on borrowed time. Some people get lucky and have theirs for quite a long time...some put 3 years worth of driving on in a year and only get a couple years out of one...not much you can do really...I've had to replace my fair share of pumps in my vehicles too...

The '04 of mine went, of course on a 109 degree day, while I was towing my 25' Toyhauler up a mountain grade to 9900'. Lucky for me, the guy following me, was the owner of a Chevy dealer in the nearest town. Also lucky for me, I had about 2 months left on an extended warranty I purchased. Thank goodness, because instead of costing me $1000+ to fix, I paid a $200 deductible. I don't know if Lucas products would've helped my fuel pump THAT day, but it's good advice none-the-less. Thanks.

Sly · January 10, 2010

Man, that's the only sure problem I've found with GM trucks is the fuel pump going out. Happened to me on my '88 Blazer, '99 Tahoe, and now my '04 2500HD. Wish they would fix that problem already.

The gm fuel pumps I have had have all lasted well over 100k. Some 200k 86 Cargo Van, 89 Sliverado, 90 Beretta, 91 GMC Cargo Van, 96 Silverado, 00 Regal GS, 02 Denali Yukon XL.

Now I have never had a battery from gm last over 2yrs. Never once!