Fuel Pump replacement

Instrument 40 · January 19, 2005

2000 Silverado 5.3 ltr,Well my pump seems to be getting louder and louder. For those that have tackled this job any advice? Remove the bed or drop the tank? Which is easier? Also, when I do this I also want to replace the fuel pump relay and the filter. Where is that relay located? I have called GM to make sure that I buy the correct AC Delco pump. Does the replacement have everything on it or will I need to swap parts from one to the other?

Shawn T · January 20, 2005

Been there done that. Take the bed off, much easier. 6 bolts, unplug tailights, unscrew gas filler neck. Two strong guys can lift a bed off(take tail gate off, much lighter). The pump attatches to the sending unit. It is very easy to disassemble, put back together, and put back in. I think the relay is in the electrical center under the hood. I just disconnected my battery.

mcreyaufmiller · January 20, 2005

Been there done that. Take the bed off, much easier. 6 bolts, unplug tailights, unscrew gas filler neck. Two strong guys can lift a bed off(take tail gate off, much lighter). The pump attatches to the sending unit. It is very easy to disassemble, put back together, and put back in. I think the relay is in the electrical center under the hood. I just disconnected my battery.

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Here! Here!

Just don't forget the beer for when the job is over

Instrument 40 · January 20, 2005

2000 Silverado 5.3 ltr,Well my pump seems to be getting louder and louder. For those that have tackled this job any advice? Remove the bed or drop the tank? Which is easier? Also, when I do this I also want to replace the fuel pump relay and the filter. Where is that relay located? I have called GM to make sure that I buy the correct AC Delco pump. Does the replacement have everything on it or will I need to swap parts from one to the other?

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You said that the pump attached to the sending unit. Is this somthing I have to remove and attach from the old to the new, or is it all one peice?

Shawn T · January 20, 2005

2000 Silverado 5.3 ltr,Well my pump seems to be getting louder and louder. For those that have tackled this job any advice? Remove the bed or drop the tank? Which is easier? Also, when I do this I also want to replace the fuel pump relay and the filter. Where is that relay located? I have called GM to make sure that I buy the correct AC Delco pump. Does the replacement have everything on it or will I need to swap parts from one to the other?

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You said that the pump attached to the sending unit. Is this somthing I have to remove and attach from the old to the new, or is it all one peice?

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When you remove the retainer ring from the tank(which attatches the fuel lines and wiring) the whole sending unit will come out in one piece. Attached to the sending unit are the fuel lines, float unit, and fuel pump. The pump simply attatches to it via the fuel lines. So, no the replacement won't have the whole sending unit configuration. It will just be the pump. The pump just looks like a little 6 inch cylinder with wires attatched to it. Buy the pump first, then take the bed off and pull out the assembly. After you see it, it will be very self explanitory. Replace the pump and filter(located on the fuel supply line against the frame ahead of the tank). After you have attatched the unit to the tank, start the truck to make sure the pump works before putting the bed back on. I have seen these pumps bad out of the box(AC Delco) so make sure first. As far as replacing the relay, I would not. If a relay goes bad, it just fails and you can trouble shoot it. If you replace one that works, you are just waisting your money. You will find that it is a pretty simple procedure and everything is easy to see and work on. Oh yes, this is definately a beer drinking job!

GM-Tech · January 20, 2005

The pump simply attatches to it via the fuel lines. So, no the replacement won't have the whole sending unit configuration. It will just be the pump.
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If you buy from GM, it is not just a pump, like you described. That's the old days, although you may be able to buy just the pump from an aftermarket supplier. These days, it comes as a fuel pump module, which is a large plastic canister with the pump inside. This assembly is basically a swap out of old to new with nothing having to be transfered. You *might* get one without the sending unit itself, and in that case that would have to be transferred to the new fuel pump module.

BTW, we don't take the bed off completely. We remove everything but those back two bolts, which are just loosened. Then just jack the bed up (so it looks like a dump truck dumping its load). You have to put some kind of protection between the forward lower corners of the bed and the cab, or you could cause some cosmetic damage. That gives you plenty of room to work on the top of the tank. Just make sure the bed is propped up securely. You obviously wouldn't want that thing to come slamming down while you're in there! If you can't prop it securely, then taking it totally off is better.

Shawn T · January 20, 2005

If you buy from GM, it is not just a pump, like you described. That's the old days, although you may be able to buy just the pump from an aftermarket supplier. These days, it comes as a fuel pump module, which is a large plastic canister with the pump inside. This assembly is basically a swap out of old to new with nothing having to be transfered. You *might* get one without the sending unit itself, and in that case that would have to be transferred to the new fuel pump module.

I stand corrected. When I replaced my 88, I was able to just get the GM pump though(back in 1997). I have help replace NBS pumps and it seemed like they were pump only but it has been awhile and you are most likely right

As far as just jacking up the bed. IMHO, it is just a little safer to at least move the bed back rather than jack it up over your head and shoulders. Just a confort thing. Once again, GM Tech, thanks for the correction.

99-2door · January 21, 2005

Yeah, although the pump is removable from the sending unit on the NBS trucks, the replacement comes as one.

I combined 2 units, one with a good pump and the other with a good sending unit to make one good unit.

I agree replacing the relay that isn't bad is a total waste of money. Of course I also think replacing a pump that isn't bad is too. Call me crazy

GM-Tech · January 21, 2005

I stand corrected. When I replaced my 88, I was able to just get the GM pump though(back in 1997). I have help replace NBS pumps and it seemed like they were pump only but it has been awhile and you are most likely right
As far as just jacking up the bed. IMHO, it is just a little safer to at least move the bed back rather than jack it up over your head and shoulders. Just a confort thing. Once again, GM Tech, thanks for the correction.

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Yeah, back then it was just a pump hanging off the sending unit. Much cheaper too.

I agree, jacking the bed up might not be the best way to go. For us, we have the truck on a lift and just put a tall jackstand underneath and lower the truck down to raise the bed. No chance of it falling that way.