Three SERIOUS Issues Found While Fixing the Fuel Pump on This Silverado 

I dont mind when the shop tells me what I actually need vs what they want to sell me. The problem is finding the shop that gives you the honest information and real strategy on how to tackle them.

In the middle of a 3500 mile road trip a few years back, and the pump in my 91 Scottsdale needed changing. Limited tools, in my parent's driveway, in a small Midwestern town. Local mechanic was two weeks out, and I had to be back to work in 5 days. I cut the hole. It was REALLY easy. I soaked an old sweatshirt in water and stuffed it up on top of the tank to protect from sparks and started the hack. Good measurements found online had me in there in minutes. Swapped the pump and sock, and was back together in short order. Made a few little tabs from sheet metal laying around and had that hole sealed up and taped off in no time. No regrets.

That is why I love living in Arizona, I have NEVER had to drop the tank, at the dealership and independants I have worked at we always pulled the bed, takes half the time and ni need to spill and fuel. Line it up properly on the lift and the come off with very little problems.

I may have missed it but, Congratulations on reaching One Million Subscribers!!

1989 Suburban cut a square in the bed, replaced fuel pump and put a hinge on metal door, hate dropping tank that is always full when pump goes bad. watched videos on where to cut and measured tank center worked out. Do cut shallow or boom.

Only done 10 of these silverado fuel pumps so far... never ever had any of em have the rusty bed hold down bolts 'spin' or not come out....I do the 'bed tilt' method. No taking tank out at all .. very fast method... safe and easy... no paint damage...no fuss, no muss !

Crazy D needs to give his truck a good crazy Detail! Besides the GMT400 I think these are the best looking of the recent GM trucks, definitely worth fixing all that you found wrong, which wasn't all that bad considering this truck is nearly 20 years old

I like how you’re paying forward what Tyler did for you, promoting your channel. Now wizard is doing the same with his people, really nice to see 👍🏼

I took the beds off of three GMT400s & done fuel pumps. Zero problems & way easier than dropping the tank. We don't have rust in Alabama.

Don't let your gas tank go completely empty; maybe when the gage is showing 1/4", refill.

I have cut a hole in a pickup bed to reach the fuel pump. I have cut holes in the firewall to replace core plugs. I wish manufacturers would put drain plugs in gas tanks, automatic transmission pans, engine blocks for coolant, and differentials. I was able to find aftermarket transmission pans for my 2006 Grand Marquis and 2003 V6 Mustang with drain plugs. I used to have a 1964 Fairlane with a gas tank drain plug, but it may have been done by a previous owner. Many differentials have a rear cover that can be removed after taking out a lot of bolts, and scraping off the old gasket, but on many you have to remove the pinion assembly. Many older cars had coolant drain plugs in the black, but most newer ones don't. And many manual transmissions don't have drain plugs. Car manufacturers almost never do anything to make cars easier to work on. In fact they seem to go out of their way to make them harder. A long time ago, I replaced the water pump in my sisters mid '80s Honda Accord. I had to cut a hole in the inner fender. The book said to remove the engine. I also had to cut a hole in the inner fender on my former '01 Chevy Malibu to replace the harmonic balancer. No offense, but that truck is one UGLY color. I've owned 23 cars/trucks, and they have all be light to medium colors. I just can't stand dark colored vehicles. I would never even consider buying any vehicle with any kind of cylinder deactivation system, or variable valve timing. My reason for replacing the pads before they completely wear out is to save the rotors. If you are going to replace them anyway, might as well let them completely wear out. A single rotor should last through several sets of pads. That leaf spring HAS to be replaced. That rusted out frame also has to be repaired. That is a body shop job. Maybe it's time to just give up on this one, and find a non rusted slightly older one with less miles, and no AFM

I use a manual pump to remove the gas before I drop the tank. When the pump goes out in my Surburban I will cut a access after I drop the tank. Same on my 94 Z28.

I say, 1/4 tank rule. No $2 gas stops. And stop when it clicks the first time.

Buy brakes online from the Rock. 1/2 price over retail counter. I swapped my fuel pump on a 2009 Silverado. Line rusted out on the sending unit. I did the bed tilt method to gain access instead of dropping the tank. I usually drop tanks, but tried the bed tilt that time. Prob just stick to dropping the tank now.

I agree, a few years ago my Chevy 4x4 after filling the Tank--truck would not start, tried beating on tank but did not help--New Fuel Pump fixed the problem. A good mechanic told me to never let your fuel get below 1/4 as fuel keeps pump cool and keeps it from banging around inside tank...

It isn’t only cars that have their fuel pumps fail with the tank full. Years ago, I was a crew chief in the AF on C-130s. Our auxiliary tank was the only tank with one pump, and could hold up to 5800 pounds of fuel (6.5 pounds per gallon). I had the pump fail with 5000 pounds in the tank. It took 2 1/2 days to drain the tank to lower the access panel to change the pump.

Hello from Wisconsin! Wish everyone a Great Day! I bought a C4 in Ohio and it went out in Gary, Autozone had a pump and I installed it in the Parking lot while my son was very patient. It took about 40 min and 40$ haha

Gr8 video. Advice which I received from a mechanic: avoid driving with less than a quarter tank of fuel. Muck which can lurk in the very bottom of a fuel tank can kill the fuel pump.

I religiously keep my Chevys above half tank to keep those pump submerged

Congratulations on reaching 1 Million subscribers Wizard!!! 🥂

I remember my dads 1990, 1996 and 2002 Silverado all needed fuel pumps between 140,000-160,000 miles. I had a 2004 GMC Envoy that needed one at 145,000.

As always, great video, Car Wizard. Living in the Midwest, I’ve noticed this generation of Silverado is prone to premature rusting, especially around the rear fenders. You’ll notice a lot of owners have installed aftermarket plastic fender flares designed to cover this rust. The rust through on the frame underneath is very dangerous and should be addressed. I was considering buying a used Silverado in this year range but decided against it due to these issues.

I changed out the Denso fuel pump for 80 dollars in my Toyota Matrix in less than 1 hr since it has an access panel under the rear seat. Thinking about doing it to my 04 Tahoe, but parts are expensive (over 200 dollars from Rockauto) and need to drop the tank. 😮 The late 90's to mid 2000's Toyota is where it's at, honestly. Wasn't a believer, but you have own one, drive one, wrench on one, to believe the quality and engineering. The GMT800 is amazing too, but something is always a little broken, a little leaky on it, or a little noisy. Even GM geniuine/ACDelco parts (now made 20 years later) have caused me grief and grey hair.

Agree: you never know what you will find. My 1998 Frontier, a decade ago: one day alternator wasn't charging, picked up new alternator. While I was out, water pump started leaking with no tension from the belt. Bought new water pump, got back to truck, found fan clutch was bad. So three trips to parts store, getting cleaned up then back into working clothes each time. I asked my mechanic friend and he said such situations are tough to explain, especially to new customers, who think such situation might be a rip-off attempt.

Heads up! Central Calif Mom and Pop parts store here. We buy from several warehouses based in lower Calif who have satellite warehouses in Fresno ( for daily delivery). Recently, I am noticing really diminished inventory and zero for items that should be common as dirt. Recent was a slant 6 chrysler water pump, AW7100 Airtex...zero stock in 3 warehouses. We're having many new defects (chyna) and a bit of wrong part in the wrong box issues...even having one pad different in a set of brake pads. Things are falling apart!

About 15 years ago I seem to remember a lot of these pumps going at around 100k miles. Every tech I ever talked to said they only used GM replacements. Aftermarket pumps were failing fast on them. Maybe things are better now.

Got to do the fuel pump in my 2007 GMC Sierra 1500 several years ago, not because the pump died, but because the fittings on the top of the module had rotted away. I live in the Northeast, so between the winter salt and the fact that the pump module sits in a shallow “bowl” on the top of the tank (and therefore traps dirt and moisture), those fittings had no chance to survive. Not the most fun job in the world, but dropping the tank just isn’t THAT bad if you have a good floor jack. Since the pump still worked, I was able to supply power to the pump and use it to (mostly) drain the tank.

I loved this video and I'm sure that Crazy D won't hesitate to get those issues taken care of with that nice truck. Everyone, drive safe and watch out for "no muffler Newton "

I greatly appreciate this channel and Car Wizard's integrity in doing the customer right. Thanks for the great presentation!

Yep I've had to repair many of those frame cross member "tubes" also. Because of the open ends on them they get filled with wet/moist dirt and rust right out. The shock absorbers mount to them also.

I used to make fuel sending units for Ford. The pump gets pretty hot if you’re letting the tank get below about a quarter tank…. Then when you put fresh cold gasoline on top of the hot fuel pump and it finishes off the pump. So as usual, your theory totally checks out.👍🏻

I always just use an engine hoist with 4 straps and pull the bed up and change the fuel pumps so I don't have to drop the tank. yes I have had the problem of the bolts not coming loose but that's only happened to me a few times.

Had to replace mine in my 11 Silverado, which is the same one as this at 241k miles today. My reason was because it rotted out and was leaking fuel while running. Its a returnless system so one line leaving the pump. Thats the only problem ive had everything else is just maintenance wheel bearings etc

Congrats to both of you on the big one mill. I think I have been here the entire time. I have enjoyed it and keep up the great work.

I had a 2011 1500 z71 Lt ext cab and I miss that thing. Same exact color as that one. Since I live in New York my transmission lines and much more rusted out to the point I had to get rid of the truck. Worked well for me until the trans went and now I have the same trim but a 2020. I honestly rather have my 2011 again.

Good thing the tank is out. You can't get the leaf spring bolt out with it in. Why they didn't flip them the other way is a mystery but I install them in the other way to avoid having to drop the tank in case the spring breaks again.

1995 Tahoe fuel pump. 3/4 full. Dropped the tank using a homemade cradle and floor jack. Went very well except I didn't realize the ground wire broke when I took it down. Fixed that and it ran great.

1m subs, well deserved! Brilliant channel, so much more confident in front of camera now. Not lost the realism through, great to see a normal hard working guy become a star….

When you see the prices of a new truck plus they are poorly designed and made to fail , it's much cheaper to fix your old truck. New trucks have horrible reliability.

Hey Wizard, is this the truck Hoovie gave him? Crazy Ds channel is an absolute blast, love it. Watching him and the Doc working on ancient equipment, great stuff to watch.

Good video and appropriate ad for me. My Nissan Frontier has 96000 miles on the original brakes. Time for new ones and this is planned. However, this is much better than the Ford Ranger I used to own. I was still working then and driving it in stop and go traffic. Front brakes needed changing every 36000 miles. Also, boy how time has changed. It was much easier to change the old mechanical fuel pumps.

One odd statistic-- one car mechanic on RU-vid was showing his 183'd Chevy fuel pump replacement. Just in passing he mentioned that he'd never replaced a fuel pump on a Honda. Makes you think.

I have used a cheap transmision scissor jack for gas tanks as well as a lawntactor/atv front lift that I bought for $10 on auction. It gives a wider support but both are good if you are working in your driveway. or shop without a lift.

I had a 2009 I bought with 20k miles. Only used it 1k - 2k per year. Always garaged and it was a complete rust bucket. I was absolutely shocked how bad the frame and under bed rusted. Pretty reliable otherwise but it rusted so bad its the only reason I got rid of it.

I bought a 2011 grand Cherokee v8 last year (my car got written off when someone hit me, didn’t want car payments with covid pricing) and the stealership I bought it from did the pads, but not the rotors, front would warp when they got warm, finally did my fronts, things dealerships do to “make a car safe for sale”

Here as a same business out of Nebraska we run into same old same old also.. we as dealership buy also from witchita and topeka.. we like those auctions, they have been running junk through the past few years

I hope the customer know to keep at least 1/4 tank at all times. My 97, daily drove it for 6 years before finding the cracked leaf spring underneath the u-bolt area besides the faulty suspension was finally pulled out as I needed to start towing.

My 07 has 229338 miles on it cant even feel it running. Still has original spark plugs. Love it. Wouldn't sell for anything

I'm thankful for having a 4 post hoist in my back yard work/shop area, and, in conjunction with my trans jack, I can get the fuel pump/sender assembly out of either of my '94 Chevy Suburbans in about 45 minutes(have a K2500 w/454CI & a K1500 w/350CI. Just drain gas out into 5 gln. cans before dropping the 40 gln. tank, easy to do and makes the job much easier, had to change the fuel pump in the K1500 because the fuel strainer imploded and clogged the pump pickup. Great video, Wizard!

I always take the fuel out the tank to lighten it then clean it ! Also replace the fuel filter guaranteed its clogged with fuel pump debri ! never neglect the filter it can cause the pump to overheat ! Using a fuel treatment like MMO also helps keep the pump and fuel system lubricated and clean ! Just 4 ozs per 10 gals of fuel !

@10:40 had me dying "it's still leaking!"

Congrats on 1,000,000 subscribers!

Yep, both of my trucks’ fuel pumps failed with full tanks as well, I lifted the boxes off to access, doing it again to one now to replace the brakeline

Love the channel! I’m a Maine State Trooper and just wanted to suggest you blur license plates in videos. You can get a ton of personal information about someone with a plate. Just a suggestion. Stay safe.

2009 Silverado 1/2 Crew. I eventually went with AC/Delco Police Certified rotors as Powerstop warped. The police rotors are great.

The variety of vehicles in the shop is incredible.

Interesting fact, if you combine Chevy and GMC pickup trucks (which are really just trim differences), more are purchased than Ford pickups.

Thank you for your channel I've learned so much about cars by watching your channel thank you again

I usually also clean up the tank. It took time, a bit of a hassle, but a lot of time when the pump dies, the tank also at least a bit grimy. Thanks to gas stations in my country that many of them are maintained poorly.

I believe pump failure after fill is due to rapid temperature change on a worn motor.

One million, congratulations Wizard

Hey Wizard: why not use a jiggler pump to empty the full gas tank into a 55 gal drum, drop the empty tank, fix it and re-install, then pump the gas back into the installed tank?

Sunex 7706. Its a fuel tank adapter for a transmission jack, just lift off the transmission plate and drop the sunex adapter on. Works amazing for droppinf tanks.

My 2001 camaro died at a stop sign about 1 mile away from home. Cost over 1k to replace fuel pump because GM didn't put a fuel pump access cover on that car and the whole rear end has to be dropped down 😢

I have removed my fuel tank from my previous 1995 Silverado K1500. The rubber tube on the pump disintegrated. I removed it from the bottom of the truck. It was difficult without a lift.

Congrats on the 1M subs Wizard!

Nice Truck. If I were him I’d definitely keep it. He really took care of it and if he does decide to sell it, the new owner is getting a great truck well maintained. 😊

Absolutely true ! Had a Ford Taurus fuel pump fail on the gas island.

I know exactly what you mean when it comes to telling customers "there's more, much more!". I'm an HVAC tech and I see these situations all the time. Sometimes, I find so much that I don't even wanna tell the customer, due to the fact they may not believe me (because it's so much!). I hate it, but its part of the job.

I recall finding that a previous owner had cut an access hatch for the fuel pump under the seat of a ‘99 Tahoe I owned. Very nice surprise, but I wouldn’t have risked it myself.

Thanks Wizard. The leaf spring stings, but the cross member kilt me.

I've seen chevy fuel pumps crap out when someone fuels up while the service station is receiving a fuel order. The fuel coming into the tank stirs up sediment in the storage tanks and gets sucked into the customer's tank. The crud fouls the fuel pump. I've seen it when fuel is pumped from a portable saddle tank as well.

When the fuel pump connector melted on my '96 tahoe., I had to drop the tank to repair it but i was contemplating doing it the hack way and cutting an access panel but glad I didn't. Its still the original pump with 288k km.

I had to part ways with my Duramax Silverado due to numerous rust issues. Granted, rust affects all vehicles, and trucks are more likely to be driving out in the snow(salt) covered roads, but what is the issue with Chevy trucks and rust? EVERYTHING on my truck was negatively affected by rust, other than the interior (which I loved). ABS sending units, brake lines, fuel lines, rust IN the tank, ABS module, tailgate hinges (replaced with an upgraded design), bottom of door, bottom of rear cab, even one horn stopped working due to rust!

That cracked leaf spring is a really common issue on those trucks

Start filling up while you still have a quarter tank and it will be less likely to happen that way.

I always pull the bed. Wirh the exception of Ford super duty trucks. Those require cutting the heads of the bolts off. 100's of pumps in the PA rust belt.

Sometimes When the pump motor com bars start to go bad, they make a poor connection. Usually when you fill up with gas you turn off and the startup again and it can be a bad spot it stops on. In those cases, on the 3-5 second key on prime you can kick the tank to limp it home (done it for a few people). Mine had a bearing making a high pitch whining for a year of a bad bearing. Tin snips and cut access hole in the bed and it was an easy swap. In nearly 500k, fuel pump was the only time my GM truck left me stranded. Original engine.

Great job!!!

Congratulations on one million subs and the gold play button!!

ONE MILLION Subscribers - How cool is that.

My 96 Cherokee experienced this. It was during a storm, truck ran like crap randomly especially when near a quarter. I tried every additive known to man. Didn't work. Broke down and removed the tank, full of sediment. Mind you it wasn't even a year since a replaced the original fuel pump. That truck wasn't quite the same again. I was told to beware filling up when you see a tanker truck. When fresh gas is pumped underground sediment is stired up hence pump into the car. Doesn't happen often but enough, always keep your receipt after a fill up.

I have done many fuel pumps on the Dodge Rams and always tilted the bed up to access the pump with no problem.Yes I am in the rust belt.

I had a fuel pump fail on a 1988 Suburban, but not after a fill-up but at an Interstate rest stop some miles further on. Towed to the nearest garage in Des Moines (New Mexico), where I spent a night and was able to leave the next day once the replacement had been received and installed. Prompt failure after refueling would have been more convenient.

Just replaced one on 99 express. A shop was cutting inside van ans set fire to harness and fuel lines. They were going to use a off brand China one. I said use a factory pump. As a older tech I learned never let another touch your vehicle. Unless of course it's the Wizard...😂.

Honda used to give you access to the fuel pump via the trunk through a round cover you could remove. Donno if they still do that.

I bought autozone brakes many times and from my experience the rotors warp before the pads go bad if you’re hard on the brskes

I'll remember those common issues on my 09

Interesting!I have the exact same truck and same color only my ‘08 is an extended cab and I have had a lot of useful mileage out of my truck!

My fuel pump went out on Ford Excursion. I jumped online and was about to buy a cheapie. Got to reading that cheap fuel pumps last about a year and voltage can swing on the unit. I upgraded to the best. Thought I was doing myself favors. Looked at the fuel sender unit, to replace that hard part now is $550. It was working good. But a year after the fuel pump, and now I need to drop a 44 gallon fuel tank with plate steel attacked to the tank, so even empty, the tank weighs a lot. But that said, a good jack to lower the tank, and a few hours and some work, it can be done. Ironically I learned that Ford put a cage to keep siphoning from happening, so you have to put the transfer line to get the gas out, just above the lower neck of the filler. Not sure why people were putting locking caps on the tank?

I’m curious if Crazy D still has that old Lincoln Navigator at all

I've done them under a taho on jack stands we dropped it to the ground and replaced it under the suv. A royal pain in the ass but the new sending unit was less than 50 on ebay. It outlasted the suv. The frame rusted out about 5 years later.

I live here in Albuquerque in a shop I worked at we sometimes took the beds off to do fuel pumps sometimes it was easier than using the tranny Jack especially when there's a full tank

My leaf spring has been broken the same way for like 5 years in my winter beater, 1990 Silverado . Figured it’s fine as long as I don’t jack it up from the frame. Also i did try taking the bed off about 10 years ago to get the pump out not a single bed bolt would come loose. At the time I didn’t want to cut a hole in the bed. If it goes out again now that is very rusty ill cut the bed

You forgot to tell him his headlights need restoration

I always fill up my truck before we get to half empty. Could that help avoid the pump going bad?

1 million subs congratulations.

7:18 my 02 escalade has a nice little square flap cut in the floor board, directly over the fuel pump lol. was like that when I bought it

I just did two oil leaks like that on Chevy Avalanche and both of them I had to go in and change the oil pan gasket on both of them but usually it is just that gasket on that little cap or oil cooler

I am Team Lift the Bed. Good opportunity to wash and paint the frame anyways.