The fuel pump is bad on my car(over 100,000 miles on the original pump)From what I read and hear this is a bear of a job to replace.I've heard you can actually cut a hole from above the tank over where the fuel pump is and be able to remove it that way.Anyone have any input about this I'm all for an easier way provided I don't create more problems than their worth,but if I have to do it the hard way so be it.I just don't have access to lift and I'm sure this is no fun on jack stands any advice would be appreciated. oh it's an 89 IROC,5.7 fuel injected.

Ken

 

This topic involves religion and politics - in other words, you're not going to get an unbiased answer to this.

My opinion:

Do it right. Drop the tank. Cutting a hole involves real-time and future dangers that, again in my opinion, outweigh any benefits or time savings (most reports I've heard indicate cutting the hole didn't actually save any time at all over doing it the right way).

There. That's Opinion #1. Please stand by and you'll get 2nds to Opinion #1, and eventually (if this thread is allowed to stay open), #2.

 

ARE YOU SURE ITS YOUR PUMP? DID YOU CHECK THE RELAY? WHAT ABOUT THE IN-LINE FUSE ON THE RIGHT SIDE FENDER-WALL?AS FAR AS THE PUMP REPLACEMENT, I HAVE DONE IT BOTH WAYS. FIRST I DROPPED THE EXHAUST AND TANK THE RIGHT WAY, THEN A WEAK LATER IT WENT OUT AGAIN. I THEN JUST CUT OUT AN ACCESS PANEL. I WOULD SAY TO GO STRAIGHT TO CUTTING. THE RIGHT WAY TOOK ABOUT 7 HOURS AND THE ACCESS PANEL TOOK ABOUT 45MIN AND I DID'NT NEED TO USE A LIFT AGAIN. IF YOU WANT TO SEE WHERE TO CUT OUT THE ACCESS PANEL, JUST E-MAIL ME AT schofer@gmail.com, AND ILL PULL UP MY CARPET AND TAKE PICS FOR YOU. ITS ALL UP TO YOU THOUGH, I HAVENT HAD ANY PROBLEMS.

 

i changed my fuel pump by dropping the tank.

 

Yeah I'm sure it's the pump,unfortunately.GM dealership says 4.5 hrs labor and they have all the tools and lift!I was quoted by the dealership $948.00 for the fuel pump and labor

 

There are no special tools involved. Floor jack, jack stands, hard flat surface, hand tools.

 

I vote for doing it correctly,dropping exhaust,etc. and dropping the tank.If you choose to hack it,you should at least weld the piece back in to maintain structural integrity(what little these cars have,anyways).
PS:it's a REAL good idea to give a little airing time before welding.Raw fuel,vapors,can anyone say KABOOM!

 

Do a search for the thread "Fuel pump acces done..pics" by 91GTAbird. Lots of info if you want to cut a panel (if you can get past all of the arguments)

 

I appreciate all the opinions I have not ruled out doing it the "correct way"I have all the tools at my disposal and jackstands,but it did take my breath away at the amount of labor time that GM alots to do this and this tells me just how difficult this will be for my first time on this particular part,I have a Haynes manual but I have learned these manuals aren't always forth coming in finer details.There better manuals around I'm sure,I may try and lay hands a GM manual.

 

That was done on my 91 by a mechanic that did'nt tell me he was going to do that " to cut the top panel " ............ I was so pissed " to me that looks 1/2 #$$. When I had that same problem on my convertible ... I did it the correct way ... took awhile and was frustrating and cursing the whole time but was able to do it.... To me putting the neck of the tank back in the whole was harder than the whole job.

Rob.

 

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Ok I see the light and I'm going to drop the tank,but of course the tank was full of fuel when it died(bad taste!)Any recommended fuel pumps to put in place,the motor is about 400 Hp.I'm not really going to push the motor any further.

Ken

 

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Walbro 255.

 

By the By where is this fuse that was mentioned in the right inner fender well,I can make the relay activate just fine but I'm not sure about this fuse,I don't see a fuse,is it a regular fuse or a fusible link?

Ken

 

There is no fuse in any fenderwell, at least on my car. The pump wires run on the inside of the car, so I don't know what he's talking about.

 

I sure couldn't it the only fuseI know about is in the fuse block.

 

That's correct.

 

I was really hoping to siphon the gas from the tank but so far I cannot get a small hose into the tank far enough to get to the fuel is there a screen in the way?I suppose I can remove the fuel line and drain it that way,I was really hoping to just siphon it to my work truck.I can see this is setting the tone for this project!Any suggestions,the tank is full.


Ken

 

There shouldn't be anything in the way. Just keep trying, and try to make sure your hose doesn't loop in the tank, otherwise you might be sucking air.

 

got it!

 

900 +$ ? for a stock pump? and labor? He's ripping you off for about 300 bucks where I'm from. I guess that's the price of business in the small town of Mt. Orab.

 

This price is from a GM dealership in the Cincinnati area,they sell the it as the whole unit not just the pump.


Ken

 

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