Fuel pumps--preventive Maintenance?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Fuel pumps--preventive Maintenance?
I have the original fuel pump in my 92 and I was wondering how long these things last? When they fail, is it a all of a sudden your dead failure or is it a slow death? My Vette is almost 14 years old, is it a good idea to just replace it before it fails? Or is the ole "if it ain't broke don't fix it" rule in effect? 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Originally Posted by Strick
I have the original fuel pump in my 92 and I was wondering how long these things last? When they fail, is it a all of a sudden your dead failure or is it a slow death? My Vette is almost 14 years old, is it a good idea to just replace it before it fails? Or is the ole "if it ain't broke don't fix it" rule in effect?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Originally Posted by elefkow
I think your final comment is correct. I've got 97000 miles on my 1996 and it runs fine. Leave the fuel pump alone. If you feel the urge, replace the fuel filter.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,032
Likes: 4
I was always told that keeping the gas tank close to full will extend a fuel pump's life (it's supposed to stay cooler when submerged).
That said, this isn't a difficult project on a C4, if you would have to do it.
That said, this isn't a difficult project on a C4, if you would have to do it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 980
Likes: 2
From: Chandler AZ
There is one more thing...
There is one more thing you could do. There is a strainer at the input end of the fuel pump. It could be replaced to help prevent pump failure. I have never done it, but, it makes sense to me.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by Strick
Fuel pumps--preventive Maintenance?
Neither of those items will instantly kill a pump. Mine lasted years, not months, with constantly running the tank dry, but both, separately or together, take their toll.
RACE ON!!!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 0
From: GA
Originally Posted by Strick
Thanks guys, but has anyone had one fail? What was the symtoms, just quit? No warning?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by Strick
Thanks guys, but has anyone had one fail? What was the symtoms, just quit? No warning?
No to be a smart guy, I've had them fail both ways: with and without warning. Probably more, without.
RACE ON!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,151
Likes: 294
From: Opelousas, Lousiana
CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
Originally Posted by Strick
Thanks guys, but has anyone had one fail? What was the symtoms, just quit? No warning?
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 284
Likes: 2
From: Burton Texas
Originally Posted by Hot Rod 90
great points. as for the gas tank, i would add that it should be kept at least 1/4 full.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 12
From: OBAMA IS HITLER
Originally Posted by l1sikes
I consistantly ran my '91 down to the "no bars lit" on the fuel gauge. The original pump was still installed when I sold that car at 205,742 miles.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 325
From: San Antonio Tx
If you crank up the fuel pressure above stock it will shorten the life of the pump. When my pump was going out, the car wouldn's start when cold. I would have to reach under the tank and hit it a few times. Then it would start and run OK.. But that only worked for a few weeks, then it was dead. I've seen several other cars do the same thing. And I'v seen cars run 300k miles with the original pump.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 325
From: San Antonio Tx
If you crank up the fuel pressure above stock it will shorten the life of the pump. When my pump was going out, the car wouldn's start sometimes. I would have to reach under the tank and hit it a few times. Then it would start and run OK.. But that only worked for a few weeks, then it was dead. I've seen several other cars do the same thing. And I've seen cars run 300k miles with the original pump.
Moderator Emeritus
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 46,133
Likes: 111
From: Maryville Tn
CI 5 thru 12 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '23
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I replaced mine on my '85 not too long after I bought it. I figured the car was over 17 years old and I didn't want to take any chances. 
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Mine quit abruptly 96 LT4 at 54K miles
The fuel pump quit after I shut it off one morning on the way to work. No warning. It was easy to replace except for the the rubber orings on the mounting flange screws. The strainer on the pump had deteriorated and easliy broke off. I got a Delco at Auto Zone to replace it. I kept the tank more than 1/2 full. The gauge was off. I also adjusted the float to fix the gauge.