fuel pump brand opinion

[sherman69]

Hi,
On a 97 GMC K1500:
My 2 year old fuel pump just died. No whirring noise at all.
Therer is a small spark when I hook up the 12 volt wire to the test jumper which shows it is a complete circuit, but the pump fails to run and no pressure.

First,
There are several brands and a lot several opinions,
What brand do you guys reccommend? I'd really love it if it runs a lot longer than this one did. This was from NAPA and I believe it would be Carter.
I've seen AC Delco,Airtex (which the tow truck driver likes), Bosch (Autozone) and now Delphi which I lean toward because I believe they have replace Delco as factory parts, and maybe have some reliability.

Second.
I think I'm going to lift the bed rather than drop the 3/4 full tank.
So there are 4-6 bolts and wire to the lights/trailer plugs, I also have a fifth wheel hitch so there are another 4-8 bolts. Am I missing anything?

Thanks for any thoughts,
Bob B

[joey71]

Originally Posted by sherman69

Hi,
On a 97 GMC K1500:
My 2 year old fuel pump just died. No whirring noise at all.
Therer is a small spark when I hook up the 12 volt wire to the test jumper which shows it is a complete circuit, but the pump fails to run and no pressure.

First,
There are several brands and a lot several opinions,
What brand do you guys reccommend? I'd really love it if it runs a lot longer than this one did. This was from NAPA and I believe it would be Carter.
I've seen AC Delco,Airtex (which the tow truck driver likes), Bosch (Autozone) and now Delphi which I lean toward because I believe they have replace Delco as factory parts, and maybe have some reliability.

Second.
I think I'm going to lift the bed rather than drop the 3/4 full tank.
So there are 4-6 bolts and wire to the lights/trailer plugs, I also have a fifth wheel hitch so there are another 4-8 bolts. Am I missing anything?

Thanks for any thoughts,
Bob B

Tranny jack to take down the tank?? Then you only have the bolts that hold the 2 straps on. I dropped the tank at about 1/4 full without a jack-- I just look at them nasty rusted bolts and do not want any bloody
knuckles.
I just replaced mine w/ac delco--it was like 16.00 more but worth not getting back under there in another 2 years. although it is louder than the factory installed pump.
just my 2 cents

[1thunder]

i'm a firm believer in original equipment pumps i have changed many many pumps and the dealer pumps are the best money can buy and i dont think i would remove the box to replace the pump though once you remove the filler tube hose it's easy to syphon the fuel out and much lighter to lift the tank than the box {just my 2 cents}i guess you do what ever you feel most comfortable doing

[sherman69]

OK,
Obviously dropping the tank would be a lot less unscrewing bolts. But it's long and 3/4 full. I'd hate to have it slip off the floor jack.
I've got the 8 bed bolts out along with 4 of the 8 that hold the fifth wheel hitch on.
I'm in California so NO rust. The bolts needed a breaker bar first, then the ratchet did it fine.
I think I'll add antiseize when reassembling so it comes off even easier next time.

Waiting for a friend to help lift the tub today.

BTW, I'm still torn between what brand pump to buy.
I wonder if the california gas is causing some of the pump failures. I recall some problems with plastic in fuel systems failing. AND, My pressure guage release button swelled and bound up last year so I replaced it.
I see Delphi as a factory part now and wonder if a newer approach will be longer lasting?
Otherwise it will be Delco.

Bob B

[sherman69]

Thanks for the help guys.
Ok so I replaced the fuel pump with a Delphi. The new factory supplier.
Cost 88.00. My local NAPA was able to order it through a new catalog.
I wouldn't use Carter again as the old one was 1 1/2 years old.
I cut the old one apart and found it was frozen so it looks like it got too hot. Even some melted plastic.That's a real thrill knowing it is inside the fuel tank. The carter was from NAPA not local though. And had a one year guarantee, but I can't find the receipt. plus it is nw 1 1/2 yrs.
This thing started to act up before it was a year old. I even started carrrying the pressure gauge with me to try to catch the reason for hard starting. It always started to work by the time my brain told me to hook up the gauge. Finally failed totally on the road 120 miles from home.
BTW, I did lift the bed, but next time I will buy a syphon and rent or buy a tranny jack.
My truck has a fifth wheel hitch so that added 8 bolts on the hitch to frame I needed to remove ( no real problem thought because I live in No rust California.
But the wiring for the hitch doesnt have a plug and was not quite long enough to really pull the bed and I didn't feel like cutting the wires.

Bob B

[twomorestrokes]

I'm usually a firm believer in original equipment replacement parts, except when it comes to fuel pumps and hub/ bearing assemblies...GM must get them cheap, because they are the crappiest around.