So this past weekend, I was pulling some bush stumps out of the ground at my mom's, and after several brief start then shutdown cycles, the fuel pump stopped working when I went to start it again. After a few days, someone suggested I take a rubber mallet and tap on the bottom of the tank where the pump is located, and she started to pump. Drove it home, aprox 10 miles, and everything was fine. Turned it off when I was in my driveway, and it was able to start again.
So then I let it sit overnight, and it is still turning.
I have a 98 Blazer LT 4x4 with the 4.3l, and it has about 180k miles on it.
Would you think the pump is on its last legs, and you wouldn't take the risk of driving it anywhere, or do you guys think the pump will continue to work for a while? any thoughts?
Thanks guys.

 

Yea sounds like the pump is on it's way out. I would replace it before you get stuck far enough that you need to tow it home.

 

Ok. one more question then.. over the weekend, my dad and I tried to drop the tank. We were unable to get the siphon line into the tank, and its full of fuel, so we thought we would drop the tank 2 inches to get the hoses disconnected, and then siphon out the fuel. In the process of removing the bolt for the rear strap, I think I may have broke loose the nut that is inside the crossmember. Is that how it is constructed, with a nut tack welded to the inside of the crossmember? If it is, and I broke it loose, does anyone have any suggestions?

 

If the pump is working, use the pump to pull the fuel out of the tank. But I agree with NJ, the pump is on its last legs.

 

It's a Clip nut on the frame. You should be able to get one at the dealer or a quality hardware store. Obviously, you need it to keep the tank up

 

Thanks for your help everyone! I'm glad to know its a clip nut. That would explain why it broke loose.. the bottom part of the clip nut was nothing more than a washer.