Is it possible to repair the fuel pump in my 98 gmc van?

[rollinhome]

Some of you may remember that i was experiencing 52lbs of pump pressure and the common thought was to replace it when it is under 56lbs. as i began hunting the source of a new pump it was clear that an upgrade has been made to the wire harness of OEM replacement pumps.
While reviewing the operation ( in my head) of the truck i have always thought that the problem was electrical because, when the van develops a bog or loss of power, if i turn it off for 5-10 seconds, it will run ok for another 5 minutes.
so i am wondering two things
1 is it worth repairing the pump wire harness and reinstalling same, if it appears that the harness was at fault.

2 is there a way to run the motor with the tank not completely installed in order to check fuel pressure to determine if
the wire harness repair was successful

and lastly, I confirmed the part number with gmoemparts.com, i believe that is correct, where are people getting any replacement tank straps or possibly other items that will also need replacement.

[a2l1]

To answer some of your questions you have to add a little more information. Mostly are you concerned about everything being original and factory replacement. Example, you can actually make tank mount straps on your own. you can run a non factory fuel pump. There are many of them out there and they in turn have varied and different current demands so your wiring may suffice as it sets or requirements can be for a lower gauge of replacement wire. To check the stuff out after you do decide on what you are going to use/install the tank can be setting on the ground as long as the fuel line and the wires are long enough.
I guess what it boils down to is to decide what parts you are going to use then test the specifics for those parts.

If there is a current problem with the factory setup and you are going to replace with all factory parts then start with checking the harness from the tank back and be sure it is at spec. Be sure that if you made repairs or alterations that the connections were all properly done and there is not a drop across the connectors.

Kind of that way through the whole process.

I know not much help. Sorry thats the best I can offer. Good luck


A J

[RECox286]

Would you rather be driving your truck, or getting more dirt and rust in your eyes ???

Bob

[rollinhome]

certainly i would rather drive my truck with two cup holders. I want to avoid installing a new pump when it is the wiring harness that is bad. i have seen pumps with a melted connection and wonder if mine has this condition also and will find out soon.

I want it to be of original design though might consider an in line pump to achieve the correct pressure.

I will get the tank out and see what i am up against.

[a2l1]

That is the best starting point. Before you plan anything look it over then decide what/where and how. Always easier and cheaper that way

[Gary]

I think your begging the question.Replace the pump with Delco only.Accept the problem and fix it.Also,replace the fuel filter at the same time.In line pumps some might have the pressure,but lack the needed volume.It doesn't stop there.It is not recommended you try to draw threw a dead pump in the tank.More often than not you end up screwing around trying to build a custom fuel system and never getting what you would with the Delco.Why Delco??.They last the longest.In the earlier yrs the internal wire harness fails and it is recommend that you replace that while replacing the fuel pump.If the later models have one replace it.I'll call out a brand name Airco.I laid on my back in a rain storm in my driveway last summer putting in one of the Airco's.I can't wait until this summer to take out that pc of crap.Delco-Delco only.Bottom line.When you really need the van to run and it doesn't or it breakdowns cost you more money than god to tow it,you think of the suggestions above and wonder why. Oh yeah,I'll be here with the light on waiting to say"I told you so".

[RECox286]

It's OK Gary, you can settle down now, please take your meds, and think nice thoughts... We all know that just like the rest of us, you are only trying to give good, sound advise.

Bob

[RECox286]

To be quite honest, not knowing how many miles are on the truck, being a 98, I would not hesitate to just replace the FP as a matter of course whether it is acting up or not. They just do not seem to be reliable after
going around 150k mi. Simple observation of the weak links in the chain. Sorta like changing idler arms because they only last about 100k mi. Facts you can't change...

Bob

[Matrixx]

Hi rollinhome

When was the fuel filter replaced last?

As Gary stated, don't mess with it, your going to open yourself up to a whole new world of pain if you do, replace the whole unit (complete) if it needs to be done.




Quote>>It's OK Gary, you can settle down now, please take your meds, and think nice thoughts... We all know that just like the rest of us, you are only trying to give good, sound advise.<<Quote

RECox286: That was completely uncalled for.

[Phantom]

Rockauto.com is a good place to get parts ,

If you see an obvious problem with a wire being melted , fixing that may help out , but as asked before , how old is your pump ? what fuel pressure do you have while driving in various rpm ranges ? if it is not up where it should be then you may save yourself some time and future problems by replacing the pump ,
Ac Delco is preferred , Delphi is also a GM oem product , either will be fine , it does seem that they last longer than other brands and the older ones can be price at about 80 bucks , the expensive ones are the new type that you have to get the whole setup with sending unit ,
You can cut a square hole in the floor above the fuel tank and replace pump without having to remove the tank.

[Zebediah III]

The 3 C's: Complaint, cause and correction.
Why re-engineer something that you don't even have apart yet?
Take it apart, inspect the wiring, hose, strainer then determine what you
need to replace or repair. I doubt if you need to re-engineer the van, just
put in a few good parts and drive it.

[Matrixx]

The 1998 model year is a 1- piece unit, so I would recommend replacing the complete unit as a whole if it needs to be done.

Check you fuel filter first though (or replace it) because it will need to be replaced with the fuel pump swap anyways. Never put a new pump in with an old fuel filter, never.

Hope this helps.

[maximus7001]

I did one of those $35 online rebuild kits for a 97, failed after about 2 weeks. Played the cheap brand game once, 13 months. Also put in a used one once, lasted 6 months. Do not do any of these things! Delco new is the only way.

[ihatemybike]

You will see in my signature that Grumpy has one of those cheap ebay rebuild kits. I installed it as an experiment and because a replacement pump costs more than what I paid for the van. It's taken Grumpy on two major trips Chicago/New York/New Orleans/Chicago and Chicago/Moab/Santa Monica/Route 66/Chicago. I'd guess I have about 30k miles on it now, but I was carrying a spare rebuild kit with.

Take note that Grumpy is my toy, if your van is needed in regular service I wound NOT use anything other than the ACDelco/Delphi units that we constantly preach using.

Also of note Airtex is the reason that I was able to buy Grumpy so cheap. A weak Airtex pump caused the van to only start with starter fluid 5 months after it had been installed.

https://sites.google.com/site/astrosafa ... umps-tanks