'01 Silverado fuel pump

Hi All:

This seems like a great forum to learn more about my truck. I just had the dealer diagnose a hard starting problem on my '01 Silverado as a bad fuel pump. They want about $900 dollars to fix so I'm doing a bit of research on how hard it would be to replace it myself. Can anyone offer me some insight on replacing a fuel pump? Is it in the gas tank? What's the basic procedure?

Thanks,

Eric

well, you got two choices for a DYI on your fuel pump; it is in the gas tank: 1)Drop your gas tank, or 2)take the bed off the truck. Personally, I'd take it to a good, ASE certified mechanic, and not the dealer. Someone else here said the were getting theirs done by a mechanic for $500.

what kind of engine do you have and how many miles are on the truck? i have an 01 siverado 2500 with the 6.0 and when the motors cold it takes me two turns to start it. i might have the same problem.

They want about $900 dollars to fix so I'm doing a bit of research on how hard it would be to replace it myself.Eric

Ouch! If you can pull the tank yourself or lift the box off the truck, then you've got it licked. The rest is downhill.

However, if you decide to pay someone, I'd definitely take it somewhere else than the place that gave you that quote.

I replaceed my fuel pump myself in about 2.5 to 3 hours, without anyones help. If you have the mechanical ability and access to an engine hoist, I'd remove the bed and do it yourself. The bed is attached with 6 or 8 bolts, unplug the wireing harnes in the back and disconnect your fuel filler neck, your in there.

Anyway if you want more info just search the forum, this is where I got all my info how to do it. Oh and the fuel pump is only abuot $275. So $900 at the dealer is robbery.

what kind of engine do you have and how many miles are on the truck? i have an 01 siverado 2500 with the 6.0 and when the motors cold it takes me two turns to start it. i might have the same problem.


I have a 1500 w/ 4.8L. It has about 77000 miles on it. It's hard to start just about all the time now, hot or cold. It always does start but I'm starting to wonder how long that will last. I tried changing the fuel filter as a quick and cheap fix attempt but that didn't do anything.

Eric

Don't forget to run the truck to fumes, makes that large tank lighter. I had the fire department visit me late one night after my FULL tank lost a bit in the curb....

Anyone have an idea on how much the short bed weighs?
THX,
Eric

Poundage, no. But two adults can pick it up. It's still a bit awkward but it can be done. If you have more than one buddy that would be best.

How about one more question... I see there are two types of fuel pumps, one with Evaporative emmissions and one without. Any way to tell whcih one I may have?
Thanks again,
Eric

I replaceed my fuel pump myself in about 2.5 to 3 hours, without anyones help. If you have the mechanical ability and access to an engine hoist, I'd remove the bed and do it yourself. The bed is attached with 6 or 8 bolts, unplug the wireing harnes in the back and disconnect your fuel filler neck, your in there.

Anyway if you want more info just search the forum, this is where I got all my info how to do it. Oh and the fuel pump is only abuot $275. So $900 at the dealer is robbery.

Jeep, how did you rig up an engine hoist to lift the bed off?

took two ratchet straps (or rope or whatever) from corner to corner in an 'X' (driver front to passenger rear / pass front to driver rear). I used the tiedown loops in the bottom corners of the bed. Then extended my engine hoist out as far as it would go and hooked it to where the two straps crossed. I think I had to take off my tailgate also. If you go slow, you can do it by yourself but someone to help stabilize/guide the bed would be nice.

It can be done by yourself though.

How about one more question... I see there are two types of fuel pumps, one with Evaporative emmissions and one without. Any way to tell whcih one I may have?
Thanks again,
Eric

There is a sticker with a code on top of the fuel pump that the autoparts store will be able to tell which one you need.

took two ratchet straps (or rope or whatever) from corner to corner in an 'X' (driver front to passenger rear / pass front to driver rear). I used the tiedown loops in the bottom corners of the bed. Then extended my engine hoist out as far as it would go and hooked it to where the two straps crossed. I think I had to take off my tailgate also. If you go slow, you can do it by yourself but someone to help stabilize/guide the bed would be nice.

It can be done by yourself though.

Nice, I figured it was something like that, but I wanted to check since you actually did it. Good old American ingenuity :biggrin:

I got a question is it more easy to replace if you remove the bed or just drop the tank?????

There is a sticker with a code on top of the fuel pump that the autoparts store will be able to tell which one you need.
yea I figured that's where the stcker is but I'd like to order the part before I remove the bed and then do the whole job in one day.

THX,
Eric

There is a sticker with a code on top of the fuel pump that the autoparts store will be able to tell which one you need.


I was afraid of that..... I wanted to get the pump before taking the bed off so I could get it all done in one day in case the pump is special order. Maybe the dealer can tell by the VIN number.... I'll give them a call.

THX,
Eric

I was afraid of that..... I wanted to get the pump before taking the bed off so I could get it all done in one day in case the pump is special order. Maybe the dealer can tell by the VIN number.... I'll give them a call.

THX,
Eric

Dealer should be able to tell from the VIN.

I think it's easier to remove the bed. Removing the tank, you need to be able to support it while trying to unhook everything, get it up and down without droping it (dont forget that any gas remaining in it will be sloshing back and forth making it hard to balance, and your working on your back upside-down.
Once you get the 8 bolts that hold the bed on removed, unplug the wiring harness at the back for the lights and take 4-5 screws out for your gas filler neck; just pick it up and set it on the bumper and top of the tire (or take it off and set it in the yard). That will give your plenty of room to get to the lines and pump while standing up and nothing has the possibility to fall or spill on you.

Removing the bed, you can do by yourself in about 3 hours or less (with the right equipment). Droping the tank I definetly recommend having a buddy or three to help.

Just my thoughts but I havent droped the tank....so... Maybe someone needs to do it and compare.

ive done it in my 91 caprice it was hard but not to the point where I needed help the tank was less then 1/4 full( I belive 5gallons) I guess that helped

I've done it with my jeep also but that tank is half the size of the one in the truck. It was as close to empty as I could siphon out and still heavy as He11 and awkward.

i have done it both ways.......PULL THE BED, it is so much easier than dropping the tank, and you have access to your frame, if it is like mine was, then you can clean it all real easy, or go as far as i did and sand it down and paint it over.....my 2 cents

quick question, if my hard starting is due to the fuel pump am i also losing performance

you could just depends on if the fuel pump is just having a hard time pressurizing or if it cant keep up with the motor

quick question, if my hard starting is due to the fuel pump am i also losing performance

Not necessarilly. If the check valve is bad, it will allow the system to lose pressure when shut off, causing hard start/ long cranking time while it fills the lines back up. The pump pressure output may be normal once it's running.