So it finally happend...

RyanZ71 · May 11, 2006

Truck would only start if I put the ignition into the run position for several seconds before cranking it up, even then it wouldn't always start. I hoped it would only be a fuel pressure regulator. FPR was fine, it was the fuel pump. I don't have the proper tools, the time, and the patience (who would after your truck breaks down) and I didn't want to make my moms house go Kablooey as well so it went to my trusted auto repair facility. They confirmed, fuel pump. $750 later I have a new fuel pump, my fuel guage now works again, and no more check engine light. On a side note in order for them to warranty the fuel pump which was a AC/Delco part, GM required them to replace the fuel filter as well, I think it's a scam but I know my service advisor wouldn't do that to me. (known him for awhile now) One thing I have noted, my truck starts RIGHT up, like less then 1 second faster then it ever has before.

So with the G-80 having gone out about 5 months ago, and now this, I've spent darn near $3000 in the past 5 months on my truck. Not very happy about it, would you be if it were your truck? Ah well it would be just my luck that the tranny would go out if I had a Ford, or the Electrical system would catch fire if I had a Dodge, or the Brakes would explode and the timing belt snap if I had a Toyota or Nissan.

Bish · May 11, 2006

Truck would only start if I put the ignition into the run position for several seconds before cranking it up, even then it wouldn't always start. I hoped it would only be a fuel pressure regulator. FPR was fine, it was the fuel pump. I don't have the proper tools, the time, and the patience (who would after your truck breaks down) and I didn't want to make my moms house go Kablooey as well so it went to my trusted auto repair facility. They confirmed, fuel pump. $750 later I have a new fuel pump, my fuel guage now works again, and no more check engine light. On a side note in order for them to warranty the fuel pump which was a AC/Delco part, GM required them to replace the fuel filter as well, I think it's a scam but I know my service advisor wouldn't do that to me. (known him for awhile now) One thing I have noted, my truck starts RIGHT up, like less then 1 second faster then it ever has before.

So with the G-80 having gone out about 5 months ago, and now this, I've spent darn near $3000 in the past 5 months on my truck. Not very happy about it, would you be if it were your truck? Ah well it would be just my luck that the tranny would go out if I had a Ford, or the Electrical system would catch fire if I had a Dodge, or the Brakes would explode and the timing belt snap if I had a Toyota or Nissan.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Welcome to the club. Mine went at 75K on the way home from Florida. Dealer charged me $650ish. The reason they insist on s filter is because a clogged filter can kill a fuel pump pretty quickly.

OUMike · May 11, 2006

I have a 94 model. In a matter of about 3-4 months I replaced all of the following.

Water pump (which I also just replaced again last weeked after two years)

Radiator and all hoses

Alternator (again)

Distributor w\ plugs and wires (that cost me about 650)

Shocks

Fuel pump and filter (over Christmas weekend I might add)

Both drive pulleys (one of which broke on I-45 just south of downtown Houston)

I think the main reason I don't really let it get me is the fact that my truck is paid for. I trust your 99 is too? I figure, I'm still spending less a year on my ol' 94' (which runs great btw) than I would if I had a new one with a $400 a month note.

My mother and her husband are trying to get me to buy their 04' Dakota Quad 4x4. It's a beautiful truck really, but after refinancing their remaining balance it'll probably still be around 250-300 a month. After 3 or 4 months I could have rebuilt my 4L60-E with a shift kit. After another 3 months I could rebuild my motor, or swap it for a V8.

I used to get upset over changing stuff too, but things get old and eventually break. At the end of the day I still have the best kinda truck there is....paid for.

jhm · May 11, 2006

What is the breakdown on the cost of labor and parts? My neighbor has a '98 (I think) he told me the other day his fuel pump went on the road. He had it towed to a garage and the dropped the tank and replaced the pump for $285.00. Why are people here paying $700?

bigdogxx · May 11, 2006

Alot of it is caused from the owner running the tank to low to many times, not letting the tank run below a 1/4 tank will greatly extend the life of a fuel pump i have heard, especially in warmer areas of the country.

Elwood 2000 · May 11, 2006

Me dealer wanted to rape me as well, but I bought the pump/regulator off e-bay, the original AC Delco part, for about $125 delivered to my door and I was running out of time, so I had my local mechanic, which I trust to do the install. He dropped the tank, installed it and only charged me $45 for the job.

The dealer wanted to charge me 4 hours labor, plus the part! I just walked away.

Ryan, sorry you were stranded and forced to pay. Shortly after my guage started the "bob-n-weave", I knew my days were numbered, so I ordered my part and had it installed. My truck starts and runs as well or better than ever.

Hecktorx · May 11, 2006

I just came back from the dealer and $438 later, I have a new fuel pump sitting in the backup truck's front seat (96 Sonoma Highrider). I'll probably do it this weekend if it doesn't rain. Mine only has 44k miles.

I fill up every Sunday and use a half a tank a week, so my truck rarely ever sees less than a 1/4 tank. Being aware of the potential damage running on emtpy can cause, I'm pretty careful about that.

I've talked to a few mechanics about why they seem to fail so often. One opinion I heard that kinda makes sense is when you drive for a long period and get the pump good and warm, you could shock the pump when you fill it full of cold fuel. I'm not saying this as fact, just an opinion I heard. But everytime time I have had a pump go bad, it's always after I just filled it up.

OUMike · May 11, 2006

What is the breakdown on the cost of labor and parts? My neighbor has a '98 (I think) he told me the other day his fuel pump went on the road. He had it towed to a garage and the dropped the tank and replaced the pump for $285.00. Why are people here paying $700

Yea $700 wouldn't surprise me. I know the dealers around me would probably charge about that much....but tahts the key word. Dealers. I'd think a mom and pop shop might do it a couple hundred less.

Alot of it is caused from the owner running the tank to low to many times, not letting the tank run below a 1/4 tank will greatly extend the life of a fuel pump i have heard, especially in warmer areas of the country.

Actually that is a common misconception. Back in the days of old that woudl be the case, because the fuel tanks have a pickup inside them that works like a vacuum I think. This was a thought of mine as well until I pulled my pump out of the tank. The fuel lines in the newer trucks are always completely submergered in fuel reguardless of the amount of gas in the tank. I imagine that with my truck what killed my fuel pump was simply age.