Fuel pump (UGH)

[1998_K1500_Sub]

Next time just tip the bed and install the pump from the top. It is a lot less hassle to do compared to dropping the tank.

I can’t imagine doing it any other way…

unless the bed is loaded with “stuff” that complicates removal, like big fuel tanks, sprayer equipment, salt/fertilizer spreader, etc.

There’s a ground wire from the taillights to the frame that may need to be removed. It’s easy to forget.

On my 1995 SCLB S10 it was a breeze.

On my Suburban though… I assume a tank drop would be easier.

 

[Caman96]

Once it’s unbolted, it really is easy enough to lift bed off, at least the first time, to clean up underside.

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

I can’t imagine doing it any other way…

unless the bed is loaded with “stuff” that complicates removal, like big fuel tanks, sprayer equipment, salt/fertilizer spreader, etc.

There’s a ground wire from the taillights to the frame that may need to be removed. It’s easy to forget.

On my 1995 SCLB S10 it was a breeze.

On my Suburban though… I assume a tank drop would be easier.

Yup on a Burb you gotta drop it.....
I didn't get any pictures when we did ours, but the neighbor who helped me had done the job recently on a family member's Burb so he knew what was needed. We jacked up the back of the Burb, high enough to get jack stands on concrete blocks under the axle. Looks like a lot of room...but I'm here to tell ya we needed every bit of it.
Having a transmission jack would be a great help, unfortunately neither of us had one. So we had to balance the tank (with ~15 gallons of gas still in it cause we ran out of buckets to put gas in and pumps always die on a full tank!) on two floor jacks and our arms to keep it from tilting. Was a huge job, but we persevered and got it done. Having the Burb start right up, without me giving it some gas, was well worth it!

 

[movietvet]

You can and I have, rented transmission jacks and fuel transfer pumps.

 

[Caman96]

You can and I have, rented transmission jacks and fuel transfer pumps.

Another reason I lifted bed off was I had just filled my 34 gallon tank.

 

[1998_K1500_Sub]

pumps always die on a full tank!

I had just filled my 34 gallon tank.

Yup... "failed" on a full tank, pretty common. But why? I heard a reason once and it made sense, but I've forgotten.

IIRC it's got something to do with the static pressure from the extra depth of the fuel in the full tank.

 

[Caman96]

Yup... "failed" on a full tank, pretty common. But why? I heard a reason once and it made sense, but I've forgotten.

IIRC it's got something to do with the static pressure from the extra depth of the fuel in the full tank.

So a pump can fail because of extra depth? Are 34’s any deeper or just longer?

 

[movietvet]

I think it's just the "car god's way" of letting you know who is really in charge.

 

[Rock Hard Concrete]

I read once that a weak, but not dead, fuel pump will work better with a full tank since more weight of fuel is above the pump inlet. My old 1990 350 seemed to be a little peppier with a full tank.

 

[Schurkey]

5LBS with key on and running, kind of... ...Why couldn't the GM engineers have made that pump and sending unit go in from the side or end of tank?

They don't want the gasket to be below the fuel level with a full tank.

With the pump on top, the gasket might see some fuel slosh, and fuel vapor, but no constant exposure to liquid fuel under gravity pressure.


I've pulled the bed, and I've dropped the tank. The jobs are roughly comparable at least the first time--it sucks. With everything reassembled using anti-seize and fresh hardware where needed, either one could be the easy route the second time...but I lean towards pulling/lifting the box, especially if that doesn't include taking the box completely off.

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