I've seen so many stories about the hassle it is to change out fuel pumps along with stories, like this recent one https://blazerforum.com/forum/2nd-ge...l-pumps-97674/, in which new replacement pumps keep failing.

So I've been wondering, what can a girl do to treat her fuel pump well and take care of it so as to get as much life out of it as possible in the hopes of not having to replace any time soon?

Here's what I normally do:

• I always fill up the tank completely (not overflowing though) when I get gas.
• I do my best to fill it up when it is no lower than "Empty" or better yet at 1/4 a tank. (My understanding that at "E", there are still a few gallons of fuel in the tank to cool the pump.)
• I avoid "cut-rate" gas stations.
• I regularly replace the fuel filter ever 2 years/30k miles. (BTW, I consider this to be one of the most annoying filter replacement jobs I know!)

Any other suggestions or comments?

P.S. My Blazer currently has about 137k miles.

 

You seem to be on the right path. I would stress not to let the gauge get below 1/4 tank. Also, run a bottle of Chevron Techron Plus fuel system cleaner through the tank every 3-5K miles.

 

 

George,

What is the issue with filling up when the tanker is at the pumps delivering its load? Does it stir up junk in the holding tanks?

Christine

 

Thats the theory. If the station has substandard filtration then you might get some bonus material. I adopted that rule so many decades ago that I don't know if its still a realistic risk today.

George

 

Looking for an on-board centrifugal purifier for my Blazer

Thing is the filter is after the pump, so any extra material caught into the filter's mesh goes through the pump first. A good thing is it's separated and does not get back via return line back to the tank and over again through the pump...

I don't actually remember where, but I've read, that some older generation had a pump that could be damaged due to overheating, while the next generation uses the returning fuel for cooling the pump. But neither I can remember where it was, nor been taking out the fuel pump to confirm,

I would say that diesel engines are more prone to a fuel contamination than a gasoline ones.

I wouldn't worry much. I got my driving license in '95 and since that time I've had been driving 6 or 7 cars. For all this time only one fuel pump has failed. You just have to be unlucky...

 

Maybe I'm just lucky, but by following my own advice I have had exactly 1 in-tank, electric fuel pump go out in 40 years and none of the external type prior to that.. I will keep my own counsel.