Should I be worried?

[gunmunky]

I went to the store and when I came out my truck wouldn't start. It turned over fine but wouldn't fire. I got out and banged on the bottom of the gas tank and then it was back to normal starting. I'm guessing it has to be the fuel pump but I don't want to deal with until its warmer out. Should I be worried it will leave me stranded at the lake or could this be random incident? My truck is a 2003 GMC Sierra with the 5.3 with 80000 miles. Thanks for any input!

[NoWiser]

All I know is Chevy's gobble up fuel pumps like crappies gobble up minnows.

Mine went out on me with no warning and left me stranded, boat in tow. My dad's 2001 is on its 3rd fuel pump. You might make it until spring, but personally, I would be worried if I knew mine was starting to act up. Sorry to hear that, though.... They aren't exactly cheap to fix.

[Determan]

Sounds like your fuel pump is on the way out. I got by with mine acting like that for a while but it did go dead. Luckily I was home so I didn't have to have it towed home from who knows where.

It's worth the peace of mind to get it fixed.

Good luck

[Macgyver55]

Normally I'd say its done, do it ASAP!

But, the same thing happened to my brother when we were coming home from deer hunting. We stopped to grab a bite to eat and came out to a no start. I told him to turn the key while I hit the tank. First bump I heard the pump and it started. He has been driving it since then without replacing it. The strange part? That was in 2008 not 2009 and its still going 15000 miles later.

Take heed that is an definitely NOT the norm, so if you decide to let it go, make sure you have a cell phone and a warm jacket when you travel.

[Lee Lane]

Like the man said chevys gobble up fuel pumps...I dont know if this will help but try to keep your gas gauge over half a tank when theres less fuel its harder on the pump.

[Scott K]

It is time to plan on a new one, dont put it off, or it will burn you at the most undesirable time.

[gunmunky]

Thanks for all the quick replies! I will see if I can use a friends heated shop to work in. Are there any brands of fuel pumps that are better than others? I did a quick search and they range in price from $150 to $500. I hoping I can get to the pump by removing the box instead of dropping the tank. My truck is an Extra cab if that makes any difference. I never let the gas tank get below 3/4 full unless I am on a trip, but who knows what the original owner did?

Thanks again!!

[#fishhunt#]

I had a 1988 GMC Yukon and Thank God the first time it went out I went to a (Apple Valley GMC)dealer to put it in. Lifetime warranty. 650.00 later It was fixed. After that, they had to put in 4 more for free. GMC/Chevy Fuel pumps are a joke. There isnt a person that I know that has had a Chevy between 1996 and 2004 that hasnt had to put at least one fuel pump in. Problem is sometimes they just go out, sometimes the vehicle starts harder on some days than others. Fuel pump tregulator usually gets put in at the same time as the pump. You have to keep your tank filled over 1/3 or the pump will burn out. I think the gas cools the pump which is in the tank. Good Luck

[S.D. Ice Angular]

REPLACE IT ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!

It will leave you stranded somewhere when you least can deal with it.

[gunmunky]

I called the local GM dealer and they quoted me between $750 and $900. OUCH!! They said 4 hrs labor @ $95/hr and the pump was about $400-450. The only benefit is a lifetime warranty.

[deadeye]

There isnt a person that I know that has had a Chevy between 1996 and 2004 that hasnt had to put at least one fuel pump in.

Well now you do cause I'm that guy.

IF you change your fuel filter regularly it will last just fine. It is a simple thing to do but it gets overlooked. Every 20k and you will be just fine.

Like others said change the pump sooner rather than later. Taking the bed off is a option if you do not want to drop the tank. Don't forget to change the fuel filter when you do the pump too! The new pump will burn out pretty quick if you don't do that.

Also, don't forget to check out the wiring harness going to the pump. The connector like to wear out, melt, and give you even more trouble. Often, that is the cause of intermittent problems. It is possibly your problem to begin with. It certainly doesn't help the life of the pump either.

[Dozer]

Get it done asap! Ive heard nothing but bad things about the aftermarket pumps, that being said the GM one is double the price.

I had a 97 chevy that I put a pump in at about 135,000 miles. I was lucky, that one still ran and I got it home. I currently have a 00 chevy that has 165,000 on it I had to put a pump in this summer. Wasnt so lucky on this one, I was headed to work in Roseau at 4:30am. Got gas in Deeriver and only made it 3 miles out of town and the truck died. After paying for a tow and markup on the pump it cost me $617 and all I could get was an aftermarket pump. To top it off I missed a half day of work. I figure it cost me over a grand total!

If I had one that I even thought might be going south I would swap it out in a heartbeat! It really isnt that bad of a job as long as the tank isnt plumb full.

[Big Buck Buster]

I own a 1992, and have never replaced the pump yet. Replace many fuel filters. Knocking on wood very hard right now!, that I don't have to replace it. If that time comes, I know that I will have to replace the whole stick. They tend to rust up, and can't get the connections loose at the tank. Was pricing them out just for the stick was over $300.00, then the pump, and filter too.

[gunmunky]

OK, it sounds like I need to deal with this sooner than later. So, does any one know for certain if I can get to the pump by removing the box or do I have to drop the tank? It is a Extra cab truck. I've replaced pumps in an 87 chevy and one of them I dropped the tank and the other time I removed the box. I would have to say that removing the box was way easier! And yes, the tank is full. I just filled up 2 days ago.

Thanks for all the input!!!!

Everybody on this site has been such great help!!

[jwhjr]

You can get at it by lifting the box.

[gunmunky]

You can get at it by lifting the box.

That's what I was hoping to hear.

Thanks again!

[Jeremy airjer W]

A/c Delco or Delphi pump will treat you good with regular fuel filter maintenance as suggested. Go with the good stuff, the less expensive options are less than desireable and will likely fail in a short time.

Why do fuel pumps fail?

[Snowking]

take the box off. ive done two fuel pumps the first i dropped the tank. what a pain in the butt. the second one i took the box off alright i didnt take it off i just angled it with the help of the wife and kid. 8 bolts one harness start to finish was about an hour. i will never take the tank down again. chad

[gunmunky]

I'll take the advice of airjer and go with Delco or Delphi. Snowking is right on the mark with the box removal over dropping the tank. A new filter is will also go in at the same time.

Thanks again for all the great help!

[Big Buck Buster]

If you are going the lift the box option, leave the last two bolts in by the bumper. Just loosen them enough, and tilt the box upward.

[gunmunky]

If you are going the lift the box option, leave the last two bolts in by the bumper. Just loosen them enough, and tilt the box upward.

Thanks for the tip. I'm hoping to get this done next week in the driveway. Hope I don't regret doing it myself!

[Big Buck Buster]

You won't regret it. It really isn't hard to do. When you get all the bolts out of the box(except the last two), take the three screws out of the filler neck that attaches it to the box, watch out for a ground strap. You will have to remove the bolt attaching that to the box before you lift it. Then have one person on each side of the box towards the front lift it up high enough to get under, and place some large wood blocks under the box to keep it up. Replace the pump, the reverse procedure.

[Black_Bay]

Just make sure you have access to another vehicle if you run into issues or have to go on a parts run. Also as others have said get the Ac Delco replacement. A friend did a fuel pump on a Pontiac recently and had nothing but issues with the quality of the aftermarket pump.

[gunmunky]

I will have the wife's car available. I'm just have to get my VIN number so I can make sure and order the right pump. It sounds like there may be a few different models for my year of truck? I found a Delphi for $200 shipped to my door, less than half the price the dealer wants.

[TruthWalleyes]

Like the man said chevys gobble up fuel pumps...I dont know if this will help but try to keep your gas gauge over half a tank when theres less fuel its harder on the pump.

Pumps wear more when the tank is less than 1/4 full. Fuel is the only lubricant the pumps use. When running under 1/4 tank, your running w/o any lube. You will probably end up replacing it, but keep your next pump good by keeping at minimum 1/4 tank.