'89 Fuel Pump ?

[tharrison57]

First, a BIG THANK YOU to all of you that have helped keep my '89 on "life support" ! 199,157 and still, oops .... WAS, ticking away !

In the last 60 days, it has thrown a fit about starting. Nothing regular, just 3 separate occasions. Now I pick up a "miss", first at highway speeds, now around town. Idles fine, runs fine when you stomp it, but just doesn't cruise well.

In the last 18 months it has gotten : fuel filter, plugs, wires, crank sensor, coils, and the little doofer under them.

Last week I hooked up a fuel pressure guage. 40 psi with the turn of the key, not holding any pressure when the key goes off. 35 psi at startup & idle.

Today, 20 psi with the key on (didn't hear it prime, either), holding pressure with key off. Tried to pinch off the return line, 37 psi. Once again, 35 at start up & idle.

If it is the pump, is removing the tank the only way ? Urban legend has it that an air chisel & the back seat out, you can create your own "Inspection Plate/Access Panel".

As always, any help is GREATLY appreciated ! Thanks ........ T

[Hapynzap]

I've had to drop a tank a couple of times. You can do it!

[maxwedge]

Originally Posted by tharrison57

First, a BIG THANK YOU to all of you that have helped keep my '89 on "life support" ! 199,157 and still, oops .... WAS, ticking away !

In the last 60 days, it has thrown a fit about starting. Nothing regular, just 3 separate occasions. Now I pick up a "miss", first at highway speeds, now around town. Idles fine, runs fine when you stomp it, but just doesn't cruise well.

In the last 18 months it has gotten : fuel filter, plugs, wires, crank sensor, coils, and the little doofer under them.

Last week I hooked up a fuel pressure guage. 40 psi with the turn of the key, not holding any pressure when the key goes off. 35 psi at startup & idle.

Today, 20 psi with the key on (didn't hear it prime, either), holding pressure with key off. Tried to pinch off the return line, 37 psi. Once again, 35 at start up & idle.

If it is the pump, is removing the tank the only way ? Urban legend has it that an air chisel & the back seat out, you can create your own "Inspection Plate/Access Panel".

As always, any help is GREATLY appreciated ! Thanks ........ T

Exact procedure is at autozone.com/repairinfo.