I had an issue today where my car seemed to be wanting to die, and once I finally stopped it at the Post Office, it wouldn't restart for over an hour. It cranked fine, and even tried to start up a few times but it wasn't getting enough fuel. There was a little pressure when we pressed the Schrader valve. Really more than I'd expect, but didn't have a tool to measure. After messing with the relays (twice, actually, but maybe I didn't pull them all the way out the first time) and letting it sit, unplugging then plugging in the fuel pump (pump wasn't making its startup noise), it started. But I've noticed my fuel pump is running VERY noisy. It sounds more like a bad bearing kind of noise. Loud, rolling, with lots of vibration. I could hear it whenever I stop, and feel it when I put my hand on the back seat. Is this my pump going out?
If I check the pressure at the valve, will it be a good indicator? Or can that even be done?
I know, I'll replace with a Walbro 255 if it's the pump. But I'd like to be sure.

Oh yeah, I smell gas a lot when driving this car. It's been MUCH worse today.

Sure sounds to me like the pump is dying. Usually, stock pumps are very quiet.

Thanks, man. Might as well Walbro it. Any suggestions on cheapest place to buy I saw that some place has one with the full install stuff for like $95, but I don't remember where. Thanks again.

Originally posted by N4cer
Thanks, man. Might as well Walbro it. Any suggestions on cheapest place to buy I saw that some place has one with the full install stuff for like $95, but I don't remember where. Thanks again.

That's right around the cheapest you're gonna find it.
If you decide you want a stock one, I've got two spares laying around, all I ask is you make a donation to the site instead of giving me money for it

I know that if you are trying to pump fuel when you dont have any it can damage the pump, when I was running around with no back seat I could hear mine..

I got my Walbro from Extremepsi.com for right around 100 shipped. It's noticibly louder than stock, but I like it as I can tell it's running. I would go with that so you will be ready should you ever decide to turbo or talk to cs82685 about getting a stock one for next to nothing.

Originally posted by cs82685

Originally posted by N4cer Thanks, man. Might as well Walbro it. Any suggestions on cheapest place to buy I saw that some place has one with the full install stuff for like $95, but I don't remember where. Thanks again.

That's right around the cheapest you're gonna find it. If you decide you want a stock one, I've got two spares laying around, all I ask is you make a donation to the site instead of giving me money for it

that's an excellent way for everyone to benefit. i'll be able to cheaply make sure that's really the problem. i'll contact you and admin about it today. or you can pm me. busy at clinicals.

Well, I got home today and the wife had ordered the Walbro for me as an early birthday gift. Sorry guys. But I'll update the thread as I go.

Does it make sense that the car was running okay when I stopped (held idle fine, held speed fine) and then wouldn't start after 2min in the post office? Could the pump overheat and kick the relay? I'll replace the relay too, just to be safe.

Also, out of curiousity, could I have just hotwired the pump from the battery to get home if I had to?

Oh I forgot to mention, the dying and funny running went like this:
I started it, and pulled across the road to the garage and as soon as I let off the gas after flooring it across the road, it died. Restarted then drove down the street and it wanted to die as I pulled into the gas station. Just for a second. I hit the gas again and it was fine, like it only dipped one time and scared me. Then it did fine for a full 30min drive of mixed city/highway driving. I stopped at the post office with all running well. Hopped out, mailed a pack, got back in and it cranked but no spark. After I'd let it sit a couple of minutes it would try to start just not have enough fuel to get there. My buddy thinks it was the fuel in the fuel rail heating up and letting off the pressure making it almost start for that 2 hits. Does this sound right for a fuel pump? And just in case, I'm going to keep wire in my car to bypass the fuel pump relay.

(Yes, the wife ordered the pump anyway, but I'd like to be driving the car now instead of my SS, since gas is so high and the SS takes premium only.)

I got frisky and drove the car again today. I knew it would mess up when I turned it off, but I forgot and turned it off. It wouldn't restart. Hopped out, unplugged fuel pump relay then plugged it back in, and it started right up. Relay going bad?
Also, could the fuel pump be the cause of this? Like getting too hot and messing up the relay?

Oh crap! One other thing I forgot: she ordered the high pressure version of the 255. Is that okay? I have no mods whatsoever. Help me with this before I install it.

I've been running the 255 on the stock fuel setup for about 2 years now. Install it as a drop in replacement. You may have to use the very end of the stock bracket as the walbro is longer. (I am assuming you got a walbro.)

The high pressure model fuel pump should work just fine with a stock fuel system. It will add no benefit compared to stock except the fact that you leave room for upgrade down the road.

Sweet. That was the hope. Thanks.

Car did the run fine then no start on restart later again today. I unplugged and plugged in the fuel pump relay. No help. ASD relay. No help. Grounded the white/red wire on fuel pump relay. Relay clicked, but car didn't start. Not the relay. I noticed no fuel pump noise still, so I unplugged then plugged in the fuel pump, and it started back up. Odd. Would these issues be caused by the fuel pump? Help me guys. I'm lost on this. The only thing I'm having in common with any 2 times now is that it's no fuel pump sound, then I unplugged and plugged back in something that supplies power to the fuel pump. But the first time (last week) we did the fuel pump plug as well as the relay, so that could've been it too. Could there be some way the fuel pump is switching off and needs power pulled from it somehow? But that wouldn't make sense since I pulled the fuel pump relay. That would pull power from it also.

Is the connection on the fuel pump harness clean or is it maybe dirty from dirt or something? Maybe not giving it a good connection?

I heard once that with the stock return line system (only some models) with an upgraded fuel pump the return line can't flow enough and can cause a rich condition. I have no idea what the flow capability of the "non-return line" models are. anyone have anything to add to this...?

Originally posted by ner947
I heard once that with the stock return line system (only some models) with an upgraded fuel pump the return line can't flow enough and can cause a rich condition. I have no idea what the flow capability of the "non-return line" models are. anyone have anything to add to this...?

my experience is on my 98 so I cant speak to that.

Originally posted by ner947
I heard once that with the stock return line system (only some models) with an upgraded fuel pump the return line can't flow enough and can cause a rich condition. I have no idea what the flow capability of the "non-return line" models are. anyone have anything to add to this...?

I don't think he has installed the new fuel pump yet so don't know if that can be the cause. Maybe he did, but I don't remember reading it :shrug

yup. still on the stocker. just seeing if these problems are related to the loud pump.

Guys, after letting the car sit for 22 hours after driving it home and it restarting fine, I went outside today. Same thing. Crank no start. Messed with relay, crank no start. Unplugged fuel pump then plugged back in - started right up. Any idea what could do this?

I'm trying now to get the old pump out to put in my old LS1 pump until the Walbro gets here, but the fuel line wants to twist instead of free spinning when I turn the nut on the end of it. Any help with that too?

Help QUICK please?!?! I'm beggin' for your expertise.

the 95 pump hanger will not pivot on the pipe. The rubberline is what twists.

LOL sorry I meant to clear it up. I unhooked it at the bottom end of the rubber line, under the car. Made it super-simple.

if you can find someone parting out a car with a 96+ hanger then go for it. Its easier to work with.