I am on my third fuel pump in about 1 1/2 years. Changed the pump about a month ago after complete failure. Now it starts, pump noise pitch increases and stops, then starts again. The cycle repeats and the idle correspondingly rises and falls (the past ones have all been Napa, but I am planning to use the Walbro everyone recommends next time). Any ideas on what might be killing my pumps?

 

I bought an aftermarket HP pump from TPIS. I had to modify my sending unit to install it. It lasted a little over a year, and then died. I spent about 400 bucks replacing the sending unit, and pump. No problems since then. (factory GM parts.)

 

The two things that seem to kill fuel pumps quickly is 1) too high of fuel pressure and 2) continually running the tank with a low fuel level.

 

Thanks all, for the responses.

Maybe I will try Delco before the Walbro (car is stock 5.7, except for air foil & Flowmaster).

re: too high fuel pressure, I read in TPIS Insider Hints book they recommend 47 psi. At idle I have about 37-40 and it increases to 40-42 reving (no load). Does this sound right or is it too low? Also, guilty of the low fuel thing; does the pump run dry on turns or acceleration? I notice the gauge can fluctuate a lot in those conditions.....

Thanks again.

 

Fuel pressure numbers sound right on.

 

Sounds like you haven't measuered it with the vacuum line off. With the vacuum line on, low-load/high-vacuum registers significantly lower than with the vacuum line off (which simulates WOT).

 

Gotcha! I will try and test without vac line again to see what the readings are.

Regardless, I am also going to change pump once again to be sure. Coupla hours labor vs. another tow.... hmmm.

Thanks for all the advice.

 

Low fuel is the worst fuel pump mass murderer out there. And they are a biznitch and a half to change. After I put in my new fuel pump I never let my fuel get below half a tank. Besides I don't trust the gas gauge that much either. I highly recommend Holley's electric fuel pump. I can't remember the part number off hand, but it was a little electric high-performance pump, rated at 155L/hr I believe (or 255 or somthing, I can't remember for the life of me). Anyway, its given me nothing but excellent performance and it wasn't expensive either (got it from summit for under $90). Good luck with the problem either way, even if it isn't the pump itself.

 

If you want to stay with a Delco pump, the one I use I have yet to have had a problem with.... on the recommendation of a GREAT mech I had in Virginia, I had him put in a Syclone pump, the ones that GM used in the Syclone trucks. Excellent pump and I don't think I paid over $100 for it, (not including the install). But if I had to do it over again, I would have probably gone with the Walbro pump. Good luck.