Yesterday Was An Expensive Day

az'03Silverado · February 20, 2010

I was driving to work yesterday on the freeway. The truck started bucking a little. Then it got worse. It's happened before when one of my plug wires got loose so I pulled over and checked them all. They were fine. I started it back up and went on. The bucking came back and got worse. So I pulled over again and it died when I put it in park. Now it wouldn't start again. So, I called for a tow and took it to the dealer. Turns out the fuel pump was crap. $965.00 later, it's running fine. I could have done it myself but I just didn't have the time. I hate days like that.

r1byker · February 20, 2010

I feel your pain; mine went out on my '07 Suburban a couple years ago. It cost just about the same to replace. I was lucky because it didn't strand me; it just got to be hard starting, taking a couple cranks of the starter to get it going.

I wonder if there's a defect because I sure hear a lot of stories of the fuel pump going out on these things.

ColoradoSkiCountry · February 20, 2010

The fuel pumps on the 99+ models are located in the fuel tank. They are cooled mainly by the fuel in the tank. If you run your gas tank below 1/4 often, or even just a few times, it could be enough to cause the fuel pump to overheat and fail. That is the most common cause for them going out.

r1byker · February 20, 2010

The fuel pumps on the 99+ models are located in the fuel tank. They are cooled mainly by the fuel in the tank. If you run your gas tank below 1/4 often, or even just a few times, it could be enough to cause the fuel pump to overheat and fail. That is the most common cause for them going out.

That's helpful; mine started showing symptoms while I was blasting down I-5 to L. A. It was 105 degrees out and I had about 1/2 tank when I stopped for lunch. I came back out and that's when the hard starting began.

MarkD · February 20, 2010

It happened to a friend of mines wife in her 03 Denali XL. It stopped dead in an intersection while taking her three daughters to school. $630 repair bill.

c4cruiser · February 21, 2010

Sometimes you can get the pump to run if take a few swats at the tank with a baseball bat or piece of 2x4. Even if the pump runs for a couple minutes it can get you to a safer place if you get stuck in traffic.

Moving the bed is the quick way and works if you are going to do a dIY replacement but most shops ( and especially the stealerships) will drop the tank once the truck is up on a lift.

2500hdee · February 21, 2010

This may be of interest to you guys (fuel pump TSB)

http://www.carquest.com/common/downloads/p...1106-01-cq3.pdf

jblakeney · February 21, 2010

I was driving to work yesterday on the freeway. The truck started bucking a little. Then it got worse. It's happened before when one of my plug wires got loose so I pulled over and checked them all. They were fine. I started it back up and went on. The bucking came back and got worse. So I pulled over again and it died when I put it in park. Now it wouldn't start again. So, I called for a tow and took it to the dealer. Turns out the fuel pump was crap. $965.00 later, it's running fine. I could have done it myself but I just didn't have the time. I hate days like that.

Haha, sorry dude.... Been there wore the Tee Shirt and still have it tooooo.

If you run your truck below half tank much... Consider edgewise.... I am in the parts industry, electric fuel pump's that drop into the tank are designed to be cooled by the gas in the tank. When you allow the fuel in the tank to get low it lets the pump get hot. This causes resistance (aka heat) to build in the pump and slowly kills the pump (slowly was kinda loosely used faster than normal).

NOW with that said, try this on..... Just dropped the family off at the condo 400 miles from home had gone back to town for a minute. Stop at a red light truck died (1995 Chevy Blazer 4.3L TPI) FULL TANK I MEAN full tank (I am a gas packer all the way to the gas cap) I had just filled up. Pushed on over to the Chevy dealership that was right beside the light. It would not have been so bad if I had not put THAT PUMP in two weeks before......... The one the dealer put in died when we got home a week or so later..... Turned out that the pump was only getting 8-9 volts through the harness. NP, I just ran a heavy 10 gauge wire to the back put me a relay back their and used the OE harness wire as the trigger for the relay. NEVER had another minutes trouble with that Fuel Pump in that truck.. I had it changed 4 times and I changed it 7 myself (once on a 6 lane interstate to boot)....... NOBODY bothered to check the voltage...... I mean I HAD A zipper welded in on that truck before I got the problem fixed.

By the way the FP was not the only problem on that trip that year... 2 year old truck serp belt broke.... Everybody that was mad with me when I stopped at my store on the way down to get a couple things (serp belt, hoses, 3 gallons 50/50 antifreeze, hose clamps) was sure quite when I put that new belt I had got on the way down (nearest place was about 30 miles either direction)...... Stupid me thou did not think about tools...... I walked probably 1/4 mile into the woods till I found a good enough stick to pry the tensioner back so I could get the belt on..

Jbo

az'03Silverado · February 21, 2010

Well I'm glad I'm not the only one that this has happened to. I usually fill the tank when it's about halfway between 1/4 and 1/2 which is about 6-7 gallons left in the tank. (I usually end up pumping 20 gallons in). The truck is about to hit 100,000 miles so I'm not disappointed with it or anything since this is the first pump change. I hated to pay the price at the dealer since I'm a mechanic (airplane) and am capable of changing it myself. I just didn't have the time. Plus, the new pump has a lifetime warranty good at any GM dealer so that makes me feel better about paying $400 in labor plus buying the part.

ken1mod · February 21, 2010

Gentlemen,

I have heard this point about the pump being cooled by fuel in the tank. I believe this is incorrect. The pump is cooled by fuel being pumped THROUGH the pump. Keeping the tank full won't hurt but is not necessary. I always run the tank down to a gallon or two in all my vehicles. 160k on current fuel pump in Silvy.

Running out of fuel is bad, very bad.

Ken

rjirvine · February 21, 2010

I was driving to work yesterday on the freeway. The truck started bucking a little. Then it got worse. It's happened before when one of my plug wires got loose so I pulled over and checked them all. They were fine. I started it back up and went on. The bucking came back and got worse. So I pulled over again and it died when I put it in park. Now it wouldn't start again. So, I called for a tow and took it to the dealer. Turns out the fuel pump was crap. $965.00 later, it's running fine. I could have done it myself but I just didn't have the time. I hate days like that.

Haha, sorry dude.... Been there wore the Tee Shirt and still have it tooooo.

If you run your truck below half tank much... Consider edgewise.... I am in the parts industry, electric fuel pump's that drop into the tank are designed to be cooled by the gas in the tank. When you allow the fuel in the tank to get low it lets the pump get hot. This causes resistance (aka heat) to build in the pump and slowly kills the pump (slowly was kinda loosely used faster than normal).

NOW with that said, try this on..... Just dropped the family off at the condo 400 miles from home had gone back to town for a minute. Stop at a red light truck died (1995 Chevy Blazer 4.3L TPI) FULL TANK I MEAN full tank (I am a gas packer all the way to the gas cap) I had just filled up. Pushed on over to the Chevy dealership that was right beside the light. It would not have been so bad if I had not put THAT PUMP in two weeks before......... The one the dealer put in died when we got home a week or so later..... Turned out that the pump was only getting 8-9 volts through the harness. NP, I just ran a heavy 10 gauge wire to the back put me a relay back their and used the OE harness wire as the trigger for the relay. NEVER had another minutes trouble with that Fuel Pump in that truck.. I had it changed 4 times and I changed it 7 myself (once on a 6 lane interstate to boot)....... NOBODY bothered to check the voltage...... I mean I HAD A zipper welded in on that truck before I got the problem fixed.

By the way the FP was not the only problem on that trip that year... 2 year old truck serp belt broke.... Everybody that was mad with me when I stopped at my store on the way down to get a couple things (serp belt, hoses, 3 gallons 50/50 antifreeze, hose clamps) was sure quite when I put that new belt I had got on the way down (nearest place was about 30 miles either direction)...... Stupid me thou did not think about tools...... I walked probably 1/4 mile into the woods till I found a good enough stick to pry the tensioner back so I could get the belt on..

Jbo

I believe the hole in the handle for the jack and spare tire lowering is designed to release the belt tensioner, not sure if it still applies to your year model though.

rjirvine · February 21, 2010

I was driving to work yesterday on the freeway. The truck started bucking a little. Then it got worse. It's happened before when one of my plug wires got loose so I pulled over and checked them all. They were fine. I started it back up and went on. The bucking came back and got worse. So I pulled over again and it died when I put it in park. Now it wouldn't start again. So, I called for a tow and took it to the dealer. Turns out the fuel pump was crap. $965.00 later, it's running fine. I could have done it myself but I just didn't have the time. I hate days like that.

Haha, sorry dude.... Been there wore the Tee Shirt and still have it tooooo.

If you run your truck below half tank much... Consider edgewise.... I am in the parts industry, electric fuel pump's that drop into the tank are designed to be cooled by the gas in the tank. When you allow the fuel in the tank to get low it lets the pump get hot. This causes resistance (aka heat) to build in the pump and slowly kills the pump (slowly was kinda loosely used faster than normal).

NOW with that said, try this on..... Just dropped the family off at the condo 400 miles from home had gone back to town for a minute. Stop at a red light truck died (1995 Chevy Blazer 4.3L TPI) FULL TANK I MEAN full tank (I am a gas packer all the way to the gas cap) I had just filled up. Pushed on over to the Chevy dealership that was right beside the light. It would not have been so bad if I had not put THAT PUMP in two weeks before......... The one the dealer put in died when we got home a week or so later..... Turned out that the pump was only getting 8-9 volts through the harness. NP, I just ran a heavy 10 gauge wire to the back put me a relay back their and used the OE harness wire as the trigger for the relay. NEVER had another minutes trouble with that Fuel Pump in that truck.. I had it changed 4 times and I changed it 7 myself (once on a 6 lane interstate to boot)....... NOBODY bothered to check the voltage...... I mean I HAD A zipper welded in on that truck before I got the problem fixed.

By the way the FP was not the only problem on that trip that year... 2 year old truck serp belt broke.... Everybody that was mad with me when I stopped at my store on the way down to get a couple things (serp belt, hoses, 3 gallons 50/50 antifreeze, hose clamps) was sure quite when I put that new belt I had got on the way down (nearest place was about 30 miles either direction)...... Stupid me thou did not think about tools...... I walked probably 1/4 mile into the woods till I found a good enough stick to pry the tensioner back so I could get the belt on..

Jbo

I believe the hole in the handle for the jack and spare tire lowering is designed to release the belt tensioner, not sure if it still applies to your year model though.

ken1mod · February 21, 2010

Gentlemrn,

Check this out, http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/407893-b...home-alive.html

Ken

daniel4191 · February 21, 2010

same thing happened here not too long ago. Didnt take it to dealership and now im glad seeing how much you had the hand out. I got out tow and pump replacement for only $650 at a local trusted mechanic.

svensk · February 21, 2010

Gentlemen,

I have heard this point about the pump being cooled by fuel in the tank. I believe this is incorrect. The pump is cooled by fuel being pumped THROUGH the pump. Keeping the tank full won't hurt but is not necessary. I always run the tank down to a gallon or two in all my vehicles. 160k on current fuel pump in Silvy.

Running out of fuel is bad, very bad.

Ken

Yeah my pump died just before winter. It had a 170K miles on it. Never once ran it out of gas, but I would consistently run it down to 3-4 gallons left a tank.