C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Fuel Pump

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Old Jul 28, 2015 | 08:04 AM
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So who makes the best, most reliable replacement fuel pumps for our cars?

I have had fuel pressure issues with my '92 LT1 almost the entire time I have had it. Right now, it will not maintain 40 PSI on the rail. Car is giving a module 4 code 55 trouble code (not enough fuel pressure under acceleration). Turn on ignition, pressure jumps to 40 PSI, but once the pump stops, immediately drops to around 32 PSI, and within 15 seconds, is down to 10 PSI. There are no external fuel leaks and the hose in the pump assembly is in brand new condition. So I'm thinking the pump is leaking fuel back into the tank (what else could it be?). I am tired of screwing around with cheap parts that don't last. So for you Vette owners that have had fuel pressure issues before and have fixed the problem, what pumps are you using?

BTW, I currently have an AirTex pump, which according to my mechanic friend is pure ****.
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Old Jul 28, 2015 | 08:40 AM
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is this the original pump ?
what condition is your regulator in ?
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Old Jul 28, 2015 | 09:01 AM
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I would check your pressure regulator first, if you haven't already. Most guys go with a Walbro and Racetronics has good pricing.
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Old Jul 28, 2015 | 09:15 AM
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Originally Posted by blackozvet
is this the original pump ?
what condition is your regulator in ?
pump has been replaced since I bought the car last Sept. Regulator was just replaced since these problems started. Fuel rail holds 40 psi when pump is running for prime.

Originally Posted by C4vettrn
I would check your pressure regulator first, if you haven't already. Most guys go with a Walbro and Racetronics has good pricing.
Pressure has been checked, from OP-

Turn on ignition, pressure jumps to 40 PSI, but once the pump stops, immediately drops to around 32 PSI, and within 15 seconds, is down to 10 PSI.
With engine running, 38 PSI on the rail at idle, pressure drops to around 32 PSI as RPMs increase

Last edited by 1stVetteFinally; Jul 28, 2015 at 09:19 AM.
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Old Jul 28, 2015 | 09:34 AM
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you can test the pressure to see if its going back to the tank by clamping off either the inlet or outlet rubber lines as they come out of the fuel tank, clamp them off just after 'key on -prime the pump'.
Best to get someone to help you do this so you can clamp off quickly before pressure is lost.
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Old Jul 28, 2015 | 09:41 AM
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Originally Posted by blackozvet
you can test the pressure to see if its going back to the tank by clamping off either the inlet or outlet rubber lines as they come out of the fuel tank, clamp them off just after 'key on -prime the pump'.
Best to get someone to help you do this so you can clamp off quickly before pressure is lost.
ok, so if I understand you correctly, disconnect the return line, turn on ignition (will gas come out the disconnected line?), plug line, watch pressure after pump shuts off. Right?
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Old Jul 28, 2015 | 09:49 AM
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Sounds like you got a bad fpr pull the vacumme line off it and smell for gas should be none
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Old Jul 28, 2015 | 09:51 AM
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Originally Posted by antfarmer2
Sounds like you got a bad fpr pull the vacumme line off it and smell for gas should be none
never smelled gas there before, but I'll go check just to be sure.


edit: just went and checked for gas smell from vacuum line to fpr, no gas smell

Last edited by 1stVetteFinally; Jul 28, 2015 at 09:56 AM.
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Old Jul 28, 2015 | 10:18 AM
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Originally Posted by 1stVetteFinally
never smelled gas there before, but I'll go check just to be sure.


edit: just went and checked for gas smell from vacuum line to fpr, no gas smell
Then pump it up and clamp off both sides of your fuel line gas is going somewhere. If it does not hold then bad injector of fpr. Did you use the proper hose from the fuel pump to the hard line in the tank? You would know it's about $30 a foot? The cheak valve on the pump may not be that good most are not but should still keep the pressure up while running maybe just a loose clamp on the rubber hose in the tank. Or the wrong hose.

Last edited by antfarmer2; Jul 28, 2015 at 10:23 AM.
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Old Jul 28, 2015 | 10:26 AM
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Originally Posted by antfarmer2
Then pump it up and clamp off both sides of your fuel line gas is going somewhere. If it does not hold then bad injector of fpr.
Clamp it off? How? Only way I can think off would involve locking a pair of vise grips down on the soft hose close to where they connect to the hardlines going into the tank. But would that damage the lines?

Originally Posted by antfarmer2
Did you use the proper hose from the fuel pump to the hard line in the tank? You would know it's about $30 a foot?
I used the hose that came with the last pump I bought. Clamps are tight on the hose in the tank

BTW, I appreciate the help

Last edited by 1stVetteFinally; Jul 28, 2015 at 10:31 AM.
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Old Jul 28, 2015 | 10:32 AM
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Originally Posted by 1stVetteFinally
Clamp it off? How? Only way I can think off would involve locking a pair of vise grips down on the soft hose close to where they connect to the hardlines going into the tank. But would that damage the lines?



I used the hose that came with the last pump I bought.
It could if they are hard and brittle you could pull and plug the return line I believe they are harder to get to then pump it up than use a smooth clamp on the inline to hold it. Or make up a hose with a shut off for the test.
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Old Jul 28, 2015 | 10:36 AM
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They are soft and bendable. They don't "look" very old tbh. I guess I could use a cloth between the visegrips and hose to make sure they don't get the beginning of a cut

Last edited by 1stVetteFinally; Jul 28, 2015 at 10:38 AM.
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Old Jul 28, 2015 | 10:40 AM
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Originally Posted by 1stVetteFinally
They are soft and bendable. They don't "look" very old tbh. I guess I could use a cloth between the visegrips and hose to make sure they don't get the beginning of a cut
Ok go get on it and let us know.
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Old Jul 28, 2015 | 10:44 AM
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Your "mechanic friend" that was so quick to point out the pump you have as being a piece of **** should understand everything that needs to be done to check for fuel "leak down". If he doesn't well so much maybe for his condemnation of the pump you chose and maybe the "mechanic" tag you hung on him.
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Old Jul 28, 2015 | 10:53 AM
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Originally Posted by antfarmer2
Ok go get on it and let us know.
will do

Originally Posted by WVZR-1
Your "mechanic friend" that was so quick to point out the pump you have as being a piece of **** should understand everything that needs to be done to check for fuel "leak down". If he doesn't well so much maybe for his condemnation of the pump you chose and maybe the "mechanic" tag you hung on him.
He was referring to AirTex fuel pumps in general. From what I have read from customer reviews of AirTex pumps, they aren't the best when it comes to reliability.

Cheap part= you get what you pay for
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Old Jul 28, 2015 | 11:12 AM
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Well you've not mentioned the fuel filter condition or the strainer in the tank. Fuel filter can certainly allow full pressure at start up and could certainly diminish at run like you mention, Is the filter mounted maybe backwards? The sock in the tank?

A check valve failure in the pump is certainly a maybe BUT if you purchased local it should be a simple matter of claiming failure. Purchased elsewhere it could be maybe more difficult.

If purchased local what other branding does the store offer? What do they recommend instead of your choice?
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Old Jul 28, 2015 | 11:29 AM
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Originally Posted by WVZR-1
Well you've not mentioned the fuel filter condition or the strainer in the tank. Fuel filter can certainly allow full pressure at start up and could certainly diminish at run like you mention, Is the filter mounted maybe backwards? The sock in the tank?

A check valve failure in the pump is certainly a maybe BUT if you purchased local it should be a simple matter of claiming failure. Purchased elsewhere it could be maybe more difficult.

If purchased local what other branding does the store offer? What do they recommend instead of your choice?
I just took that for granted that filters were done.
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Old Jul 28, 2015 | 11:52 AM
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Filter has been replaced in the last 6 months. Strainer was new with my current pump.
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Old Jul 28, 2015 | 12:07 PM
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Originally Posted by 1stVetteFinally
Filter has been replaced in the last 6 months. Strainer was new with my current pump.
Great I thought you were working on the car not getting it done playing on the puter.
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Old Jul 28, 2015 | 12:08 PM
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Originally Posted by antfarmer2
Ok go get on it and let us know.
Holding 44 psi
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