97 Chev Blazer 4X4 4.3 litre V6

When it don't go!

How many times has this happened?  You turn the key and it either it does nothing or just cranks over until the battery finally poops out.  This is a case I get to see on a regular basis and the last few days have been no exception.  This beauty above is a 97 Chevy Blazer.  There are a million of these things still on the road and just about the same number of problems can happen to these things which result in a no-go :(  

Turns out, the fuel pump had failed, resulting in the engine not starting.  So no big, just replace the pump and all is good... easy, right?

One can always tell when a car has never spent any time in the salt belt.

Wrong.  99% of every vehicle on the road has the fuel pump assembly mounted inside the fuel tank.  This was done for several engineering reasons I'm not going to get into.  So, time to break out the WD-40, spray down those rusty threads, and get busy!  Notice the tank is made of metal!  This is becoming rare as most tanks are now made from poly.

So I gotta make some room to get the tank out.  Disconnecting and removing the driveshaft is needed.  By the way, see the rust inside on the universal joint?  That's bad.  Were gonna have to take care of this too to prevent a break-down.  Time to call the customer and get the OK.

This thing was heavy!!

Ok, so it's out and there is the top of the old fuel pump unit.  Spent lots of time cleaning the dirt off as to not let it fall into the tank when I take it out..

Here's the old dead one

Here's the new happy one.  This one also has an updated electrical connector in favor of the old style which was a big problem with GM for years.  We gave this guy the option to use this pump versus a cheaper one... wise choice Grasshopper!

Anyway, from start to finish, 3.5 hours including driveline repair and a new fuel filter.  The Blazer runs remarkably well despite having 199,990 miles on the odometer.  I have done so many of these, I lost count years ago.  Not only do the pumps die, but the little sensor that tells your gas gauge what to read give up a lot too.  I would bet if you have not experienced a gas gauge problem in a GM vehicle, you have at least one friend who has.

Thanks for reading up.  Let me know if there is any specific content or topics which should be covered or changes to the blog itself.  Chris.