2007 Sierra Fuel Pump???

mrwermuth · July 1, 2013

Two weeks ago my truck wouldn't start, called AAA and the tow truck driver came and tried starting the truck, while the starter was cranking over he crawled under the truck and spanked the bottom of the gas tank and the truck started right up. I drove it to the dealership that night. Turned it off and on a couple times, it seemed to work normal but the engine light was on. The next day the dealer called and they said it needed a fuel pump at the tune of $890.00 after parts, labor and tax. I said clear the code and I will drive it until it won't start again.........My wife keeps asking if I'm going to get it fixed before our summer vacation trip.... I have been driving it daily and all seems to be fine, what are your suggestions?

'07 GMC Sierra Crew Cab, NBS, almost 68,000 miles

truck wouldn't start about 2 years ago, had it towed to the dealer and they said it was a fuel shutoff sensor near the spare tire... under warranty then and they fixed it... or did they "spank" the bottom of the gas tank?

txab · July 1, 2013

You're living on borrowed time

gmtech4 · July 1, 2013

You're living on borrowed time

^^^^^^^^ what he said +100 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Silverado4x4 · July 1, 2013

As the others have said its getting ready to lay an egg on you and the next time you wont be that lucky. One thing that kills a fuel pump early is always running the tank close to "E" before getting gas.

txab · July 2, 2013

Replace it now, before your trip, unless you want your wife beating you to death while stuck on the side of the road.....

ujtruck · July 2, 2013

replace it, you can do it your self - then every-once- in a while put some Lucas fuel conditioner bottle

Lucas is like affter dinner, handing over a ice-cream to fuel pumps and injectors

David03hd · July 3, 2013

replace it, you can do it your self - then every-once- in a while put some Lucas fuel conditioner bottle

Lucas is like affter dinner, handing over a ice-cream to fuel pumps and injectors

I just looked this up and I see that Lucas has two products one that is a Fuel Treatment and one that is a Deep cleaning fuel system cleaner. Are you referring to the treatment? I have a 2000 5.3 with 150000 miles on it and it still has the original fuel pump. if I can do anything at all that will help extend the life of the pump I will.

ujtruck · July 5, 2013

yes, Fuel Treatment

Wires · July 8, 2013

I just looked this up and I see that Lucas has two products one that is a Fuel Treatment and one that is a Deep cleaning fuel system cleaner. Are you referring to the treatment? I have a 2000 5.3 with 150000 miles on it and it still has the original fuel pump. if I can do anything at all that will help extend the life of the pump I will.

The best thing for the pump is not letting the tank dip below 1/4. It needs fuel to keep cool. When you start running on fumes, you're also sucking up the gunk from the tank, and the pump starts to run hot due to lack of fuel to keep it cool.

jBlaze3000 · July 8, 2013

Replaced the fuel pump on my 2000 Suburban 5.3 last year because of the loud "whining" noise that it made. It still worked fine but my truck sounded like an airplane so I swapped it out proactively. I had 153k on it at the time.

From the research I did, any mileage you get out of your pump over 125k is a bonus. Change it now and be done with it.

Some people will tell you not to make a habit of letting your tank get down to E, others will say that as long as the pump is sucking gas you're fine.

VMaxtastic · July 8, 2013

Im actually surprised by this. I drove my '07 NBS to 230,000 km and never had a fuel pump problem. I usually fill up at half a tank though

Wires · July 9, 2013

Some people will tell you not to make a habit of letting your tank get down to E, others will say that as long as the pump is sucking gas you're fine.

My wife had an '89 Mustang that she used to drive until almost "E". On numerous occasions it would just "die" on the side of the road. After it sat for 1/2 hour or more, it would fire back up. Someone finally diagnosed it as the fuel pump overheating and seizing. She didn't have the cash to swap it at the time, and starting keeping more fuel in the tank. She drive it for about 4 years with no issues (then she sold it).

I'd assume all in the tank fuel pumps would exhibit similar situations, but don't know for sure.