Fuel Pump... I think...

[i_build]

I got the truck about a month ago and soon after as part of a tune up I put in a new fuel filter. Couple days ago I was low on gas so I put the syphon to the boat and pulled 5 gallons out (I am working on emptying that tank). I put high test in the boat about a month ago.

Yesterday I took the Suburban out for a short drive and noticed a loud buzzing at first that seemed to have gone away after a few minutes. Today I noticed that when I try to accelerate hard it bogs out and the buzzing is louder than ever. I put in 15 gallons fresh premium I was under 1/4 tank... but even after the fresh gas it still bogs out under heavy acceleration.

The pump is buzzing like never before and it sounds VERY loud compared to before even when it's just priming and immediately after I shut it off it buzzes and whines down after the truck is off for 2-3 seconds. While its on I can remove the gas cap and hear it buzzing and whining through the filler neck loudly like never before.

I pulled out the manual and it mentions running a pressure test and then setting up a shut off on the return line to test the regulator if the pressure is low... but if the pump is making this much noise and it's probably 3 times the loudness of what it used to be 2 days ago... and considering the track records of others... do you think it's worth doing the other tests or should I start draining the tank in preperation of dropiing the tank now? Oh and it just stalled out for the 1st time in my driveway and was hard to start till I primed it 3 times. No SES light either.

[unplugged]

The pressure test is worth it if you have the equipment. Might save you the drag of having to pull the tank/pump. An inline test would keep you from having to plug the return line.

[cascott325]

advanced or auto zone can run a pressure test for free!

[i_build]

I dropped the tank and installed a new pump with the new wiring harness. I have to say... maybe it is how I interpreted the posts but I saw many that talked about this as being a rough job. I did not think it was difficult at all.

I didnt even put the car up on jack stands or ramps. I left it on it's wheels and was able to do it laying on a cardboard box by myself. I made up a syphon with an old holley red fuel pump. I pumped the tank virtualy dry. Disconnected the fill hose and vent hose put a jack underneath the tank to support it. Removed the 2 bolts that held the tank straps in place and moved the straps to the side. Lowered the tank just far enought to reach the wiring and disconnected the 2 wiring plugs. Lowered the tank the rest of the way.

Here is what took the most time. The quick release hoses. I tried using a metal quick release tool that looked a bit like scissors. These tools will not fit. I had to make a trip back to advanced auto parts and they have a set of plastic quick release tools for about 10$. The plastic ones only worked by cutting them in half and inserting one half into the hose... spining it to the other side where there isnt enough clearance... and then inserting the other half... then pulling the hose off. I know napa has a specific tool for it but none of the napas around me had it in stock.

Then there was 1 small hose left to disconnect that T's off to both sides of the tank. I removed the spring collar that held the pump in place and pulled it out.

All in All the job took about 3 hours and the truck is running good now. The worst part of the whole job was the price of that pump 250$.....