Fuel pump problem on 2000 Savannah van

I did a search before posting this and am not coming up with exact duplicate of my problem. This van was surging, much like it was running out of gas before being parked several months ago. This week I decided to try and get it running. I hit the starter and it just spun over free, like it was almost trying to catch, but wouldn't. I shot some ether in the air inlet without removing the lid and it fired right up and sat there and idled until it reached operating temperature. It idled fine for probably about 10 minutes actually. When I just touched the gas it cut off and would not restart. I didn't shoot the ether again because I didn't see the point. Incidentally, I put a fuel filter on it before trying to crank it because I suspected it to be the root of the problem based on a similar experience with my '67 Shelby Mustang. I realize the Shelby is carb'd where this one is injected, but was hoping for a similar simple solution. I don't want to throw a fuel pump in it to the tune of several hun if there's another possibility, but kinda getting the drift that it's the most likely and don't have a clue how to test fuel pressure on it, and based on the last time I removed the doghouse would probably rather drop the tank. The thing that puzzle me most is the fact that it idles fine when cranked with the ether.

Check your fuel pressure, look for 60 psi minimum. Why would you just replace it without confirming it is bad?

Why would you just replace it without confirming it is bad?

Because: A. I don't have a pressure guage. B. I don't have a clue where to access the port for it if I did. C. Getting the doghouse off the inside of a custom van is a ROYAL PIA, and D. These shysters around here want to charge $300 to $400 bucks labor for something that can easily be done in less than an hour, and I can throw parts at it cheaper based on reasonable assumptions but with risks of mis diagnosis.:wink: I made the mistake of sending one of the Astro Vans in my company fleet that wouldn't run to a shop without getting an estimate first, being suspicious it was a fuel pump. It was and the bill was over $600. I called the local Delco distributor and the one for that particular van would have cost me less that $200. Presumably a professional shop could have bought it for less. I've just had enough of getting rheemed by the flat rate manual.

Usually, if it won't start, but starts with a shot of carb cleaner, and then runs ok after that, it's usually boarderline fuel pressure, and needs a pump....

However, fuel pressure should be checked first.....

Also, with boarderline pressure, first thing you should do is replace the fuel filter first....which you did....

Should also check voltage to pump.....could be a bad relay(contacts), or could be a bad chassis ground circuit, causing a voltage drop to the pump....

Don't go cheap on the pump, you will pay later.....

Dropping fuel tanks and replacing pumps, will take longer than an hour, especially if everything is rusted under there.....

Because: A. I don't have a pressure guage. B. I don't have a clue where to access the port for it if I did. C. Getting the doghouse off the inside of a custom van is a ROYAL PIA, and D. These shysters around here want to charge $300 to $400 bucks labor for something that can easily be done in less than an hour, and I can throw parts at it cheaper based on reasonable assumptions but with risks of mis diagnosis.:wink: I made the mistake of sending one of the Astro Vans in my company fleet that wouldn't run to a shop without getting an estimate first, being suspicious it was a fuel pump. It was and the bill was over $600. I called the local Delco distributor and the one for that particular van would have cost me less that $200. Presumably a professional shop could have bought it for less. I've just had enough of getting rheemed by the flat rate manual.

Hmm, 40.00 investment for a gage that lasts forever, cuts down diagnostic labor and pinpoints the problem, I guess changing parts till it's fixed is a better idea.

Because: A. I don't have a pressure guage. B. I don't have a clue where to access the port for it if I did. C. Getting the doghouse off the inside of a custom van is a ROYAL PIA, and D. These shysters around here want to charge $300 to $400 bucks labor for something that can easily be done in less than an hour, and I can throw parts at it cheaper based on reasonable assumptions but with risks of mis diagnosis.:wink: I made the mistake of sending one of the Astro Vans in my company fleet that wouldn't run to a shop without getting an estimate first, being suspicious it was a fuel pump. It was and the bill was over $600. I called the local Delco distributor and the one for that particular van would have cost me less that $200. Presumably a professional shop could have bought it for less. I've just had enough of getting rheemed by the flat rate manual.

I remember when fuel injection in early 80's came out.
The repair places and DIY's that did not have the stuff to test them out said.
If you like playing the loto just start throwing parts at it.
Just start replacing parts.
A good luckie ticket could fix it with 100-200$
But a bad role of the dice would run over 1000-2000$

It just depends if you want to proper test it for 50-100$ or
Throw the dice and speed big bucks.:sarcasmsign: