WTH...Smelling gas/Fuel pump went out

[BUNNY15]

Just curious if this is a common problem out there? I searched this forum, but didn't run across anything too quickly. Saturday night (raining), I'm headed to get the dog from the groomer. I pull into the parking lot to park and the 2 just cut off. All electronics were still working but it wouldn't run. It would crank but wouldn't fire off. God Bless, I just happened to be in a parking lot next to a Firestone. I've never used them, but I sure was glad to see them that night. If you've never had to push a 2, let me tell you, that thing is a BEAST!! I ran over (still raining) to see if they were still open and they were. I had a fifteen minute window to work with. Pretty friendly guys, one of the mechanics ran out (in the rain) to the 2 with a fuel pressure gauge and NOTHING!!! Banged on the tank, NOTHING!!! There was also a strong odor of gas, but that had been the case for a few weeks. I had someone look at it before, and they thought it might be a bad gas cap, or even the fuel pump gasket not being seated correctly. That was two weeks ago....Not sure exactly if either of those were correct, but the pump sure did fail Saturday night! First quote was for $985 installed. That just wasn't going to work...$715 later, new pump installed and ready by Sunday at noon. All I can say is "thanks Firestone, way to step up to the plate.

[iwillnc]

Dang.. sucks, GM has had issues with fuel pumps for a LONG time so not suprising really, though if mine went bad I'd do everything possible to take it back to my house to change I mean all your doing is dropping the skid plate, then get a jack or two under it, maybe some support straps.

Anyway, did your fuel smell go away?

[BUNNY15]

Fuel smell still apparent toward the front...I smell it when I lean down inside the front wheel wells on both sides....Any ideas? I wonder if they didn't button something back up after checking the fuel pressure? Definitely gonna call them and take it back up there.

[BUNNY15]

If anyone was wondering the fuel smell is coming from a leak at this location where the rubber meets the hard line, 3rd line from the top. I am not sure if this is the feed line or not? The fuel line which is located just above what appears to me to be the transfer case skid plate. The mechanic is unsure if I need to replace the entire line which is a discontinued GM part #15181574.

[BUNNY15]

Last thread update....

The mechanic located and repaired the leak. It was actually coming from a hole rubbed into the hard fuel line that is routed above the transmission, and was just dripping down the line, appearing to originate from somewhere else. Mechanic charged me $10 for supplies. Apparently for him it was an easy fix. No more leak or gas smell.

[jsbihn]

Hi Bunny,
I was scanning through the forums and found your post as of Feb of this year, and it sounds like a problem I am coming up with.

I wanted to look at the two pictures you posted on the 22 of Feb but it appears there is a issue with them and wondering if you could repost them, or send them to me.

Thanks

[BUNNY15]

Hi Bunny,
I was scanning through the forums and found your post as of Feb of this year, and it sounds like a problem I am coming up with.

I wanted to look at the two pictures you posted on the 22 of Feb but it appears there is a issue with them and wondering if you could repost them, or send them to me.

Thanks

Unfortunately I have already deleted them from my phone, but I can tell you exactly where to look. If you can trace the hard fuel line from the rear of your vehicle where the fuel filter is, (should look like 3 lines kind of stacked on top of each other if I remember correctly near the frame rail. At some point the lines run upward and on top of the tranny. Just above the tranny, my hard line somehow rubbed against something, I assume the tranny and caused a small hole. Pay attention to the odor though because initially I didn't think it was that big of a deal. Thought the seal on the fuel pump wasn't seated correctly and fumes were escaping a little. Of course the day I decide to take it in, it starts dripping fuel like no body's business. Enough to make me too paranoid to drive the damn thing anymore without getting it fixed first. I smelled fuel for months before I noticed any leaks.

[jsbihn]

Thanks Tiffany,
I have had a gradually worsening smell of fuel for a while now, just no signs of a leak.... so of course I am where you are.... think it is the fuel pump seal that has somehow come unseated.

I just figure if I am under there I might as well look around and such.

I assume with the looks and setup of your rig that you trail or off road alot?

[BUNNY15]

Thanks Tiffany,
I have had a gradually worsening smell of fuel for a while now, just no signs of a leak.... so of course I am where you are.... think it is the fuel pump seal that has somehow come unseated.

I just figure if I am under there I might as well look around and such.

I assume with the looks and setup of your rig that you trail or off road alot?

Actually I just did the lift in May, and due to several family and business trips since, and the month long shop visit in August,

http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44523

I have not truly had a real opportunity to test my big boy out properly. During the interim, I needed something to feed my soul which is why I,

http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44496

:excited: Happy camper now

[jsbihn]

Tiffany,
Do you happen to have the info on the repair (part numbers, labor, etc....) for your gas leak?
Turns out it looks like I might have the exact same leak as you did a few months ago

Thanks

[BUNNY15]

Tiffany,
Do you happen to have the info on the repair (part numbers, labor, etc....) for your gas leak?
Turns out it looks like I might have the exact same leak as you did a few months ago

Thanks

Well the fuel line that I thought was going to have to be replaced was discontinued, but the good thing was I didn't need the whole line to begin with. For a $10 fix, my mechanic I believe just cut out a small portion before and after the hole where the leak was, and replaced it with aftermarket fuel line that I think had couplers on either end to connect it to the factory line. I can try looking underneath it when I get home to see if I can spot the repair and take a pic.

I will also send you a PM with the shops contact info so can verify what they actually used.

[jsbihn]

Tiffany,
If you could shoot me a picture that would be great. This way I can tell what I could do, since I currently have 2 options in my head and a third would be great.

Thanks

[BUNNY15]

Tiffany,
If you could shoot me a picture that would be great. This way I can tell what I could do, since I currently have 2 options in my head and a third would be great.

Thanks

OK I'll see what I can do...in the meantime post #4 on this thread is where I listed the part # for the hard fuel line. GM part #15181574. I was told by several different dealers that it had been discontinued. Maybe you can search for it and get lucky. Somebody's bound to have one sitting on a shelf unused.

[jsbihn]

Awesome Tiff!!
Yours is a 03 also right?

[Easy Ed]

Entered the part number in a Google search and came up with this http://autoplicity.com/compareproducts.aspx

It may not be in stock :-(

[BUNNY15]

Entered the part number in a Google search and came up with this http://autoplicity.com/compareproducts.aspx

It may not be in stock :-(

Yes I actually ordered it from them, but a day later received an email saying sorry, but the item you ordered is not available and issued me a refund.

[BUNNY15]

Awesome Tiff!!
Yours is a 03 also right?

Yes 03...couldn't get the pic yet. We've had some bad weather. Will try again tomorrow.

[Easy Ed]

I kinda figured that :-( Funny a person can still find OEM brake lines for a 1995-1999 Dodge Neon but we are out of luck on a lot of parts for our trucks :mad:

Yes I actually ordered it from them, but a day later received an email saying sorry, but the item you ordered is not available and issued me a refund.

[jsbihn]

Yep. And this is what scares me.

But then again a little ingenuity and a usually a far few less dollars and it is possible to fix most things and do it just as good or better (ie. when I permanently repaired my trans shifter for 8 dollars versus 125 bux)

[BUNNY15]

Tiffany,
If you could shoot me a picture that would be great. This way I can tell what I could do, since I currently have 2 options in my head and a third would be great.

Thanks

Just sent u a PM

[Bro]

I just had to replace my fuel pump because of this issue. The pump didn't fail but the lock ring holding the pump in place rusted out completely. It was so bad that on a full tank gas would spew out the top of the gas tank. Had rust and all types of other sediments in the tank. I had to drain all fuel, wipe the tank clean and refill once the new pump was in place. It was nasty!

[BUNNY15]

I wonder why so much rust? Winter road salt maybe?

[Bro]

It's the way the tank is designed... It's inevitable that debris, salt, dirt etc. will get on top of the tank and be trapped there. It leads to tons of corrosion around the pump which is a metal top.

When you replace the pump go with the Delphi model as it has a hard plastic topping to the fuel pump. I had an evap leak P0455 code for about a year until I took the tank down and discovered a leak around the seal.

[BUNNY15]

Gotcha!