Did I kill my fuel pump?
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 415
Likes: 1
From: british columbia
Its a big ugly job, definitely one I would leave to a shop, I like to tinker but essentially dismantling the entire rear half of the car to get the tanks out wouldn't be on my fun list!
Makes one wonder why they didn't have access doors through the floor to do this, like they do on older sports cars, but guess build cost is a factor.
Makes one wonder why they didn't have access doors through the floor to do this, like they do on older sports cars, but guess build cost is a factor.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 738
Likes: 0
From: Tuscaloosa AL
I feel your pain man. My fuel pump also went bad on my 2004 vette. 1600.00 later it runs like a champ again. I'm not sure why there isn't a easy access opening in the trunk area to get to the pump. I have heard of some people making one but I'm sure it's a serious tough job as well.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 688
Likes: 1
From: Wappinger Falls NY
Best of luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,979
Likes: 31
From: Wichita KS
I guess I have gotten lucky, 74k miles and I have ran my vette COMPLETLY out of gas 4 times, yes 4 times, 3 of those times I coasted into a gas station like nothing happend (issue has been fixed now), pump still runs like a champ. Also I normally do not have over 1/2 tank in my vette and fill up once its at/in the red zone.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
ONLY for the late '03s and all '04s. 
All other year model C5s, '97 - E'03s, are really pretty easy to get to. NO tank droppage required.
All other year model C5s, '97 - E'03s, are really pretty easy to get to. NO tank droppage required.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 955
Likes: 4
From: Union City, CA
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,107
Likes: 26
From: 4th on the list of top 100 in USA Ga.
The only way to know is to connect a mechanical fuel pressure gauge to see if there sufficient fuel pressure. If not, I would think your fuel pump is toast.
Modern vehicles with the fuel pumps in the tank rely on fuel in the tank to keep the pump cool. When you run the fuel level down real low, the pump can overheat.....factor in summer time ambient temps, plus high pavement temps reflecting up towards the bottom of the car, it is certainly conceivable that you roasted the pump.
Another possibility is that you sucked contaminants off the bottom of the tank and plugged up the fuel filter - when was that last changed?
Modern vehicles with the fuel pumps in the tank rely on fuel in the tank to keep the pump cool. When you run the fuel level down real low, the pump can overheat.....factor in summer time ambient temps, plus high pavement temps reflecting up towards the bottom of the car, it is certainly conceivable that you roasted the pump.
Another possibility is that you sucked contaminants off the bottom of the tank and plugged up the fuel filter - when was that last changed?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
One good parts site is GMpartseastdotcom. Just plug in your YM&M, etc and follow the drop down boxes for some good exploded views of the parts used throughout your car. If you plug in any of the earlier C5s, ('97, '98, '99, '00, etc) you'll see firsthand how the fuel pump/sending unit access hole is at the bottom rear of each fuel tank and beginning Oct/Nov '02 (the beginning of the '03 production run) through all of '04, the then new "FFS" fuel system was introduced and the access is at the top of each tank.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 955
Likes: 4
From: Union City, CA
One good parts site is GMpartseastdotcom. Just plug in your YM&M, etc and follow the drop down boxes for some good exploded views of the parts used throughout your car. If you plug in any of the earlier C5s, ('97, '98, '99, '00, etc) you'll see firsthand how the fuel pump/sending unit access hole is at the bottom rear of each fuel tank and beginning Oct/Nov '02 (the beginning of the '03 production run) through all of '04, the then new "FFS" fuel system was introduced and the access is at the top of each tank.
I'll try it out now.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 955
Likes: 4
From: Union City, CA
$1,535.50 later, the Z06 has roared back to life. They kindly topped off my gas tank and switched the DIC to the setting that displays how much mileage I have left and also switched my HUD setting temperature to the gas indicator.
LOL.... Luckily, I am a good sport.
LOL.... Luckily, I am a good sport.