fuel pump problem?

I have been having problems with my 96 firebird (150K miles). The car will run ok but then some days it wont start after driving it for a half hour- it will act like it is turning over then immediately shut down after firing. I had it towed 2x and each time the car started after I got it towed and it had fuel pressure. The other day it wouldnt restart so i had my mechanic walk over (without towing) and check the fuel pressure- there wasnt any. My mechanic says I need a fuel pump and it will cost $800. He didnt think it was the relay. What do you guys think?

I would definately try and replace the relay yourself first. And if that doesn't solve the problem than do the fuel pump. But relays can definatly be an intermittant problem. A relay is a heck of a lot cheaper if you aren't positive and you can change it yourself.

What do I think? I think I'm in the WRONG business...I'll change that pump for you for just $500. Just did the one on my wife's Formula...took 4 hours total. So he is charging you $200/hr.

the pump itself runs around $400 from what I see around auto stores...so he's charging $400 to install. You can find them online like ebay motors for much less.
Don't get stiffed for that kind of money.
there's only a few bolts to get it off and on...more time than anything else.
job difficulty I'd rate at 2 out of 10.
save yourself some money also by ordering online and finding a mechanic to install for a fee...but not $400...that's too much.

Just my $0.02

the pump itself runs around $400 from what I see around auto stores...so he's charging $400 to install. You can find them online like ebay motors for much less.
Don't get stiffed for that kind of money.
there's only a few bolts to get it off and on...more time than anything else.
job difficulty I'd rate at 2 out of 10.
save yourself some money also by ordering online and finding a mechanic to install for a fee...but not $400...that's too much.

Just my $0.02

I agree with you. He is charging an outrageous amount for the labor!!! But most mechanics don't appreciate you bringing the part with you. That is how they make their money, it would be like bringing your own supplies to the dentist when they do work. I would definately get another opinion or just try and fix it yourself.

Pump for a 95 Camaro V8 $170 at Auto Zone. A "professional" mechanic would pay right around $100 with his discounts and such.

They are charging way to much for the pump!!!! But don't try and bring your own part into a mechanic and ask them to put it in. That is an insult. That is why I said get another opinion. Or do it yourself!!!!

They are charging way to much for the pump!!!! But don't try and bring your own part into a mechanic and ask them to put it in. That is an insult. That is why I said get another opinion. Or do it yourself!!!!

maybe to some mechanics it would be....to me it would not be.
still money for labor...and no need to go out and get the parts...run it up on that there lift boy.
i didn't say take the part in and ask them to put it in just like that.
there's a way about asking man.
you say that like mechanics wouldn't try to get a deal on anything they had to do besides automobile work.
like say he needed a new roof....and could save $300-$400 by buying the shingles himself and have a roofer install it....how many roofers would say no...I don't think too many sir.
I do roofing by the way.

Pump for a 95 Camaro V8 $170 at Auto Zone. A "professional" mechanic would pay right around $100 with his discounts and such.

sorry I had looked at the price for my '00 firebird...about a month ago or so.

look into a walbro high performance pump... Mine ran me around $100 and it pumps even better than stock. I have however heard of it costing that much to change a pump and I think it is kind of a premium charge. I did mine myself and I can tell you if I had a lift it would be no problem to do. If you figure the pump cost $150 from the mechanic and then labor would be $650... so that is over a days worth of labor and I know any good mechanic could have that done in a half of a day, no a problem.

My 97 Firebird is at the mechanics now with what I am sure is a fuel pump problem. He says $600 to replace pump. $250 labor $350 Delco Pump. HE says the only pump he will use is a Delco because it is so much labor involved in putting in and has had problems with other pumps going out in a short time. I have done this job once on another firebird and without a lift, it wasn't an easy job to me. Just my 2 cents worth. I think $500 would be more in range however I am willing to pay the $600 since I don't have a car lift.

Well found out it is not my fuel pump afterall. Or at least it is showing good pressure now. Car still won't run. I have started a new thread to get some ideas. Will let you know of any updates.

thanks