I have a 1988 GTA (305), that I will not last long in traffice on a warm day. Can someone tell me what brand of fuel pump to purchase that will handle the obvious "heat" that builds up in these tanks? There has to be a fuel pump out there that works in these cars. Thanks in advance for your help?

Jeff Morgan

 

Why do you think it's the pump?

 

The pump will start whine once the fuel heats up in the tank, and the car will eventually quit running. It will only start up once the fuel is cool. I can't think of any other reason why the fuel pump whines other than the pump itself can't handle the heat level in the tank. Ideally fuel is supposed to be cold, but in these cars that's not the case.

Jeff

 

That could be a pump issue. Have you checked the pressure when it's having problems?

The pump heats up the fuel, not the other way around.

 

Apeiron,

Yes, I think it is a pump problem too. Any recomendations on a replacement pump anyone?


Jeff

 

I replaced mine about 5 years ago with a pump from Car Quest (back then at least they carried AC/Delco parts). And I've had no issues with it. But like I said, don't know if Car Quest still carries good brand stuff like they used to (this economy has made alot of things different).

But, given the hassle of dropping the tank, I wouldn't settle for an Advance/Autozone part. I mean, I use their parts all the time - but this is one place where paying extra for a better brand (even if it's not) gives me more peace of mind.

Has your pump ever been replaced? You say this like your fed up with replacing pumps. Maybe you have another issue causing the pumps to go bad, like a fuel pressure regulator issue, or a clogged return line, or something else. The fuel pressure regulator sends the excess fuel back through the return line - this returning fuel runs through the pump and keeps the pump cooler. So maybe there's another underlying issue ruining fuel pumps if you've been through more than one.

 

Camaronewbie,

Yes, I've been through a few, but the one that's in there now has lasted awhile, but if i get caught in travel on a warm day the pump will start to whine and eventually the car will quit. I've had the lines blown also. The guy that works on my car tells me that my line are usually warm. I'm not sure of what else I can do. I have the lines looked at again, but I leaning towards buying a new pump (ac delco) from carquest or napa

Jeff

 

You sure it's the fuel pump at fault, and not the problem where the ignition module in the dist dies from heat soak, only to recover once cooled? Maybe the pump whine is a side issue.

 

I had the same issues with my 88 TA the pump would get hot and shutdown soon as it cooled off it would start but would heat up alot sooner and shutdown again. I finally put a walbro pump in it and the problem hasn't happened again yet. I can't say that will cure your problem but it has mine so far.

 

I had the same problem. I wrapped the muffler, the exhaust near the tank, put heat reflecting liner on the gas tank heat shield, insulated the fuel lines anywhere near the exhaust, and set fuel pressure to 40 psi with a retune (if stock, you're already about there) and the problem hasn't happened since. I also am using the emmission cannister as a tank vent by removing the check valve and vacuum line and this has reduced pressure in the fuel tank. Pressure is heat and I think this has also helped. I use my car for track events and it can get over 110 degrees here so this is a real issue for me. I have the high flow Walbro pump and 380 hp at the wheels.

 

Thanks for your input RoscoT88 and Tslsa28. I'll try wrapping the heat shield and lines where I can. May chang the pump out as well... Thanks again for your input...

jeff

 

Tslsa28,

Where did you get the heat reflecting liner that you put on the "heat shield"?

Thanks,

Jeff