'94 Burban - Can't Get The Fuel Tank To Drop!

besttruckever · January 13, 2010

Hey,

I've been using this site for a few months and its helped me get my truck up and running a lot better. I've searched and searched but I can't find anything to help me with this problem.

Its a 1994 GMC Suburban 5.7, 4WD with tow package. I need to replace the fuel pump, I started to pull the tank over the weekend, got the straps off, the hoses, etc. but the bugger won't move!

I'm sure its just stuck to the undercoating/insulation cuz I had the same problem dropping the tank on my old Honda. But this ****er is really stuck!

I've been kicking it and yanking on it and I can't even get it to move at all, not even with the pry bar. I just can't get any leverage on it.

Is there a secret place I can sneak my pry bar in that will pop the tank out easier? Should I just suck it up and start banging on it harder? Thanks, can't wait to be back at 14psi instead of the 9psi I have now!

grosss · January 13, 2010

Any chance you can slip a ratchet strap around it and use that to pop it out by pulling against the frame?

grampadirt · January 14, 2010

I can't imagine what's holding the tank up.When I changed my pump in '08 the tank just fell out.I'd have to say it's possible the pump had been changed before since my burb had 210,000 miles on it at the time.Maybe they had the same issue.I've had it only two years.

I had to cut the wires going to the pump to allow the tank to drop enough to slide it out from under the burb.It was dark under there and I couldn't see good enough to see if they unplugged.When I re-installed the tank I added about 15'' of the same gauge wire.I soldered them together and used shrink tube...been working great since

besttruckever · January 14, 2010

I'll be workin on the truck this weekend, I'll give the ratchet strap a try, thats a good idea.

I don't think the pump has ever been replaced. This was my dad's truck and he never worked on it and only fixed things that needed it so it's hurting now at 250k miles. It's on its 2nd crate motor now, I was too young to really know why the first motor went bad, probably neglect. And the first crate motor went bad because the shop who swapped it didn't clean out the oil cooler in the rad and did a shitty job and it ran hot so the oil pump went bad and you know what happens when there's no oil pump!

I installed the 2nd crate motor myself and plan on keeping this engine running for as long as the frame is still in one piece!

BKfirefighter3221 · January 14, 2010

I've had this problem a few times. There are two fairly large foam like pads on the top of the tank, them bad boys are glued to the tank and over time really stick themselves to the underside of the body. Tank is behind the axle, right? I used to use my 4' pry bar against the frame and on the edge of the tank half way up where they weld the two haves together, prying it downward. I know it is stuck good but if the straps are off I would bet money it's those foam straps on the top. Like I said I have had to do this on more than one back say 8 years or so ago when there were more on the road.

besttruckever · January 14, 2010

Ok I'll give that a shot. Ya the tank is behind the axle. I'm just having trouble getting my pry bar on it because of the huge tow hitch we've got. I probably need a longer one though.

grampadirt · January 15, 2010

I've had this problem a few times. There are two fairly large foam like pads on the top of the tank, them bad boys are glued to the tank and over time really stick themselves to the underside of the body. Tank is behind the axle, right? I used to use my 4' pry bar against the frame and on the edge of the tank half way up where they weld the two haves together, prying it downward. I know it is stuck good but if the straps are off I would bet money it's those foam straps on the top. Like I said I have had to do this on more than one back say 8 years or so ago when there were more on the road.

Question for you,do you remember how you were able to drop the tank with the wires still attached?There was no slack on mine at all.I had no choice but to cut 'em.

BKfirefighter3221 · January 15, 2010

I've had this problem a few times. There are two fairly large foam like pads on the top of the tank, them bad boys are glued to the tank and over time really stick themselves to the underside of the body. Tank is behind the axle, right? I used to use my 4' pry bar against the frame and on the edge of the tank half way up where they weld the two haves together, prying it downward. I know it is stuck good but if the straps are off I would bet money it's those foam straps on the top. Like I said I have had to do this on more than one back say 8 years or so ago when there were more on the road.

Question for you,do you remember how you were able to drop the tank with the wires still attached?There was no slack on mine at all.I had no choice but to cut 'em.

You should have plenty of room to lower the tank 5 or 6" to unplug the harness and probably unbolt the ground wire on the frame. I have literaly done hundreds of GM fuel pumps from 70's cars to present, never had to cut wires.

gmtech4 · January 15, 2010

I could tell ya where and how but its a secret.......lol

grampadirt · January 16, 2010

I could tell ya where and how but its a secret.......lol

Ya big meany

besttruckever · January 17, 2010

Thanks for the help, I got the new pump installed today no problem. Ended up using my jack handle and prying against the leaf spring mounts, popped out no problem!