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89 Suburban bad fuel flow :burb:

C

ChronicalCP

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I have a 89 Suburban I just picked up this weekend that had been sitting in some guys back yard for the last 3 years and it seems to have a tab bit of a fuel issue. If I fire up the key I can hear the pump powering on and running but will not turn over. Followed the fuel line to the in line filter and removed then tried to fire it over to see if I was getting flow but found pressure to be low and almost in short spurts. Checked to see if the in line filter was clogged but had good flow through it. Returned everything onto the truck and tried to start it up but fuel seems to not have enough pressure to reach the injectors removed the fuel inlet and found that it was just barely making it to the top of the line. Is it possible that the fuel pump has that cracked hose that everyone seems to get on here or does anyone else have any other suggestions for me to check? it does look like an interesting time trying to drop that tank. If it does come to that has anyone ever cut the rear floor in their burbs to make an access panel?
 
Could even be the in-tank fuel filter "sock" failing. Apparently that is common with ethanol as well.

People cut holes in the floor all the time. Personal choice. Me, I don't need extra places for rust to start. Dropping the tank isn't that complex, especially for a job that should need done once every 10-20 years. I just lube all the bolts/nuts with wheel bearing grease so that next time it's a lot easier.
 
dyeager535 said:
Could even be the in-tank fuel filter "sock" failing. Apparently that is common with ethanol as well.

People cut holes in the floor all the time. Personal choice. Me, I don't need extra places for rust to start. Dropping the tank isn't that complex, especially for a job that should need done once every 10-20 years. I just lube all the bolts/nuts with wheel bearing grease so that next time it's a lot easier.
Click to expand...

Yeah I was thinking about a possible issue with rust down the road with cutting the rear floor then re-sealing. Ive never thought about using wheeling bearing grease for all the bolts tho. I'll keep that in the back of my mind very good idea. It would make alot of sense that sock being all clogged up due to the truck sitting for the last 3 years I could only imagine how nasty it is inside that tank I'll take all this to the drawing board and go from there when I get home tonight thanks for the advice.
 
and for what it's worth, we just fired up a 1996 van that had been sitting for about 3 years. It had an O2 sensor code pop up when it started stumbling real bad and spit out of the intake a few times on me. I removed the fuel filter, checked the fuel pressure, registered at 13 and up around 20 or so when rev'd.

I reinstalled a new filter and it ran much better. This was still running on what fuel was still in the tank when it was parked. So I also added some fresh gas and some fuel system/injector cleaner to it.

It runs much better and has throttle response back, although there are still other issues I need to tend to.
 
Is there a certain reason why those hoses crack on the Fuel Pumps? Or is it just a poor set up to begin with? Came home today and hit all the bolts with WD40 to try and get them to loosen up a bit while sitting and soaking decided to take a look at the TBI due to the fact it was looking pretty sad under the hood removed from the truck and started to break it down to clean. Found that the Pressure reg spring was completely destroyed. I'm assuming this will need to be replaced. The injectors look pretty sad as well. Saw on youtube and way to test the injector with a 9V battery so I'm going to give that a test to insure they are good. Anyone have any advice on the fuel pressure regulator spring? Should I just go about buying something from "over the counter" or is there a better way to go about this?

Thanks Chris
 
Fuel quality, materials not designed to deal with ethanol fuels is my understanding.

That pump pictured I'm gonna guess was an old stock item or just a hose supplier that didn't bother to switch over supply to the right material.

Bought a new one, replaced it, truck even sat for about 2 years now before I talked my dad through on checking a few things and we got it running. The truck is in Indiana, I'm in Washington. Obviously it runs better with fresh fuel and after tinkering and keeping fresh fuel running through it for the past few weeks, he's now driving it around town on short trips to ensure the original problem is fixed.

It did start and run on the old fuel though, and so far no issues with the pump.
 
4xcrazy said:
Fuel quality, materials not designed to deal with ethanol fuels is my understanding.

That pump pictured I'm gonna guess was an old stock item or just a hose supplier that didn't bother to switch over supply to the right material.

Bought a new one, replaced it, truck even sat for about 2 years now before I talked my dad through on checking a few things and we got it running. The truck is in Indiana, I'm in Washington. Obviously it runs better with fresh fuel and after tinkering and keeping fresh fuel running through it for the past few weeks, he's now driving it around town on short trips to ensure the original problem is fixed.

It did start and run on the old fuel though, and so far no issues with the pump.
Click to expand...

Well finally got the tank out pulled the pump and found that hose to be completely rotted out. Replacing with new pump as well as strainer. Unfortunately the straps for the tank had seen better days and at this time going to replace these as well. Im guessing since i know the pump turns on and tries to push fuel I may keep this one as a backup cause you never know if I might need one or if I ever run into anyone on a trail and can help maybe some good karma will come around. Going to rebuild my TBI tonight so everything is ready once the tank returns to the truck. New injectors, Pressure regulator gaskets and hopefully once all returned the burb will run like a dream lol.

Thank you for everybody who helped and gave a direction to look at saved me alot of time will give an update once truck is running thanks again everyone :saweet:
 
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