Replacing A Fuel Pump

[JimBeam]

OK so I had to have my truck towed and then looked at because as I was driving it it began to sputter.

It was fine while idling but whenever I gave it gas it started to die.

So the mechanic looks at it and says that the fuel pump needs to be replaced ( putting out only 20 pounds of pressure when it should be at 80 or something like that ).

It's a 2000 Checy Tahoe w/ 150K miles.

The cost for everything is gonna be $1200.

Does that sound right to anybody ?

I've thankfully only had to deal w/ mechanics every few years but I always get the feeling they are pulling a scam.

This guys done the last few things for me so I'd like to think he wouldn't wanna gouge me but just curious.

[mendyweiss]

Fuel pump should be 150-200 dollars
Labor- 100/hr maybe 2-3 hour
total should be no more than 600 dollars !,but Jughead would know for sure

[JimBeam]

I have been told by others that the fuel pump on Chevy trucks, or at least the Tahoes, are in the fuel tanks so it adds a degree of difficulty.

But I don't see that being an additional $600 if your calculations are in the ballpark.

[mendyweiss]

Tahoes and Suburbans have a nasty history with fuel pumps. I had a 2002 Tahoe, but no problem with fuel pump. I just looked up for the hell of it, A new replacement in tank pump can be pruchassed for around 100 bucks. I can't imagine they would charge over a thousand dollars just for the labor!

[boosterp]

Fuel pump should be 150-200 dollars
Labor- 100/hr maybe 2-3 hour
total should be no more than 600 dollars !,but Jughead would know for sure

That's about right. Some mechanics though like to pump out the gas before dropping the tank which adds 2 hrs to the bill.

I have been told by others that the fuel pump on Chevy trucks, or at least the Tahoes, are in the fuel tanks so it adds a degree of difficulty.

But I don't see that being an additional $600 if your calculations are in the ballpark.

They are in tank, like a lot of modern vehicles. So they pressure tested it which is a big start. Dropping the tank is the only difficult portion of the process, other than that it is a piece of cake for anyone with a little tech know how.

Tahoes and Suburbans have a nasty history with fuel pumps. I had a 2002 Tahoe, but no problem with fuel pump. I just looked up for the hell of it, A new replacement in tank pump can be pruchassed for around 100 bucks. I can't imagine they would charge over a thousand dollars just for the labor!

Very true, replaced 2 of them for friends this past year.

[JimBeam]

I've gotta see what this itemized bill looks like.

I'll paste it here so you can let me know what's a BS charge.

This is why I hate dealing w/ mechanics.

It's just always so shadey and I dread getting the call fom them w/ the estimate.

Thanks for everybody's input.

[boosterp]

I've gotta see what this itemized bill looks like.

I'll paste it here so you can let me know what's a BS charge.

This is why I hate dealing w/ mechanics.

It's just always so shadey and I dread getting the call fom them w/ the estimate.

Thanks for everybody's input.

It's not always a BS charge nor are they always shady. It can be several factors, go to Autozone.com for example and look up the price of a new fuel pump, this will give you an idea to compare it to their estimate. Their cost for a fuel pump should be similar or lower. Labor costs, and pumping out the tank then refilling it takes time because most use slow inefficient pumps, not like a gas pump when you go for a fill up. The will use the excuse that they worry about sparks and this is why they do it, bullshit. As long as the tank is vented you can do a lot of things to it with out a fire risk.

[biggestmexi]

They are in tank, like a lot of modern vehicles. So they pressure tested it which is a big start. Dropping the tank is the only difficult portion of the process, other than that it is a piece of cake for anyone with a little tech know how.


they also do a volume test.

Just jack it up and take a look at how hard it is.
You might have to move the exhaust and various other things.
Sometimes you need a lot of stuff to drop a tank.
Jack stand to keep the vehicle up, and a jack and block to lower the tank if you go that route.

MOstly all common tools though as well. Its easier to do with a low tank

Some vehicles, SOME, have access through the top.

My 94 GMC jimmy has everything in the tank and i replaced it myself for under 100 dollars.

[JimBeam]

I know it's not always BS and they aren't always shady but I just get that pit in my stomach when having to deal w/ them because it seems so strange.

Like I said I've been going to this guy for a while and I hope he wouldn't try and load up on me like I was a guy that's only coming to him once.

He did tell me that he had to do some wirig which gauged the temperature of the tank or something and prevented it from overheating.

That was on $30 though.

He told me he wanted to use the GM fuel pumps because the generic ones he's used in the past had to be replaced after a few years.

I asked him what the difference was there because I didn't know if I'd get more than 1 1/2 more years out of this one.

It supposedly was only a $100 difference.

Is there insurance that you can get on a car w/ regards to service ?

I mean if I look at the fact that I haven't had any major work done in over a year now paying $1200 is only like paying $100 a month.

Anybody aware of anything like that ?

[biggestmexi]

Is there insurance that you can get on a car w/ regards to service ?

I mean if I look at the fact that I haven't had any major work done in over a year now paying $1200 is only like paying $100 a month.

Anybody aware of anything like that ?

Never heard

[biggestmexi]

It's a 2000 Checy Tahoe w/ 150K miles.



what engine?

[biggestmexi]

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php?carcode=1361562&parttype=6256

guessing they use delphi as OEM

[boosterp]

they also do a volume test.

Just jack it up and take a look at how hard it is.
You might have to move the exhaust and various other things.
Sometimes you need a lot of stuff to drop a tank.
Jack stand to keep the vehicle up, and a jack and block to lower the tank if you go that route.

MOstly all common tools though as well. Its easier to do with a low tank

Some vehicles, SOME, have access through the top.

My 94 GMC jimmy has everything in the tank and i replaced it myself for under 100 dollars.

On both that I did I used a transmission jack to lower the tank. Chevy (SUVs and trucks) like Fords the exhaust is not under the tank nor it's lip making it easy to lower. The only trick is moving the jack toward the front of the vehicle while lowering it so you do not stretch the lines or wire harness. Also half way down you have room to disconnect everything which helps. Jack it high enough that you can sit under the vehicle and there is a lot less strain.

[boosterp]

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php?carcode=1361562&parttype=6256

guessing they use delphi as OEM

They do, but for Chevy Napa has a great alternative that has a 3 year warranty.

[biggestmexi]

On both that I did I used a transmission jack to lower the tank. Chevy (SUVs and trucks) like Fords the exhaust is not under the tank nor it's lip making it easy to lower. The only trick is moving the jack toward the front of the vehicle while lowering it so you do not stretch the lines or wire harness. Also half way down you have room to disconnect everything which helps. Jack it high enough that you can sit under the vehicle and there is a lot less strain.

on my jimmy i just cut the pipe under the 2nd row :innocent:

[boosterp]

on my jimmy i just cut the pipe under the 2nd row :innocent:

Wow, so how did you pass inspection? And always be careful with the flexible fuel line, on any vehicle past 85 that shit is very fucking expensive to replace.

[biggestmexi]

Wow, so how did you pass inspection? And always be careful with the flexible fuel line, on any vehicle past 85 that shit is very fucking expensive to replace.

LOL, i live in central IL. I have a cat on only one of my cars.

NO INSPECTIONS RULE!!!!

[Chigworthy]

I had a 99 Silverado with a bum fuel pump a while back, cost me 1200. It's not like the old days. Like others have said, the pump is inside the tank, and it's not just the pump, it's the sending unit (communicates the fuel level to your gauges) combined with the pump. I believe it's called a fuel pump module. So you have to replace the whole thing. Part cost alone was 800-900 bucks. And they have to drop the tank to do it. You're a victim of the modern age.

[boosterp]

LOL, i live in central IL. I have a cat on only one of my cars.

NO INSPECTIONS RULE!!!!

Damn! Here they check the under carriage and under the hood of your vehicle before even beginning the diagnostics.

I had a 99 Silverado with a bum fuel pump a while back, cost me 1200. It's not like the old days. Like others have said, the pump is inside the tank, and it's not just the pump, it's the sending unit (communicates the fuel level to your gauges) combined with the pump. I believe it's called a fuel pump module. So you have to replace the whole thing. Part cost alone was 800-900 bucks. And they have to drop the tank to do it. You're a victim of the modern age.

You are right. You have the neck which extends to the outside of the tank, the pump, a strainer, a sending unit, and a float. It is now a complex piece of shit.

[JimBeam]

what engine?

Not sure. It is a V8 though.

I'm getting it back this evening so like I said I'll post the line by line charges and you guy can give me your opinions if you think it looks reasonable.

Not like I'd have any recourse at that time.