fuel pump bad?

txpkup · June 2, 2004

over the past 6 months or so I have twice had a problem with my engine "chugging". It happens when the fuel guage is about 1/4 full and especially on hot days and after I have been driving a long time (road trip). It's a 99 silverado and it has that whislte noise coming from the underneath or where the bed and cab connect. I've heard a '98 tahoe and countless suburbans make this whistle. some guy at a garage told me it was my fuel pump. any idears?

thanks

AZ-Z71 · June 2, 2004

Sounds like it might be a fuel pump going bad.

citydriver · June 3, 2004

Have you ever had the fuel filter replaced? A clogged filter will cause this also...It may be worth trying B4 condemming the pump

Wingnut · June 3, 2004

I wouldn't be too concerned about the whine. My 02 has done it since I bought it. Neighbors 01 does it as well. Both of them are nearing 60k miles.

snoman · June 3, 2004

You might have a water slug in tank too. GM fuel pumps on modern cars are in the fuel tanks and are pretty reliable. My 89 burb still has the orignal one (good thing too as I would hate to drop the shield and that 40 gal tank to change it! )

txpkup · June 8, 2004

sure enough it was the fuel filter. The guy at the garage was in shock. factory fuel filter on a '99 Silverado, with 130, that's right One Hundred and Thirty THOUSAND miles on it. I love that girl. thanks a bunch yall. Everything runs better now!

orangecrush007 · June 8, 2004

I am having a similar issue with my truck. 2000 Silverado 1500 4X4. In the following scenario:

Going up a slight incline , at 30-35 MPH, the engine sort of has a timing issue, you can see the RPM gauge increase and decrease. Is this similar to your problem? My cousin thinks it might be the computer going haywire because it doesnt happen in any other conditions.

Also I have had to replace the power steering pump and the Ubolts. What is up with that?

snoman · June 8, 2004

I am having a similar issue with my truck. 2000 Silverado 1500 4X4. In the following scenario:

Going up a slight incline , at 30-35 MPH, the engine sort of has a timing issue, you can see the RPM gauge increase and decrease. Is this similar to your problem? My cousin thinks it might be the computer going haywire because it doesnt happen in any other conditions.

Also I have had to replace the power steering pump and the Ubolts. What is up with that?

Your tranny might be trying to lock/unlock and not make up it mind too and cause the RPM flux. I suspect tranny here more than a ECM glitch with engine.

orangecrush007 · June 9, 2004

I am having a similar issue with my truck. 2000 Silverado 1500 4X4. In the following scenario:

Going up a slight incline , at 30-35 MPH, the engine sort of has a timing issue, you can see the RPM gauge increase and decrease. Is this similar to your problem? My cousin thinks it might be the computer going haywire because it doesnt happen in any other conditions.

Also I have had to replace the power steering pump and the Ubolts. What is up with that?

Your tranny might be trying to lock/unlock and not make up it mind too and cause the RPM flux. I suspect tranny here more than a ECM glitch with engine.

Is there a cheap fix or do you think over time my transmission will just go? How serious of an issue do you think this is and should I take it to the shop to have them look at it?

snoman · June 9, 2004

Does it act the same whether in Drive or OD position? If it is the tranny hunting, it most likey will through out its life. It is more of an annoyance than anything as long as it does not do it under load.

snoman · June 9, 2004

over the past 6 months or so I have twice had a problem with my engine "chugging". It happens when the fuel guage is about 1/4 full and especially on hot days and after I have been driving a long time (road trip). It's a 99 silverado and it has that whislte noise coming from the underneath or where the bed and cab connect. I've heard a '98 tahoe and countless suburbans make this whistle. some guy at a garage told me it was my fuel pump. any idears?
thanks

This one could be the gas in the tank starting to "boil" so to speak or there could be a water slug in tank too that makes itself more known under those conditions. If it was the fuel pump, it would most likey do it full tank or 1/4.