Fuel pump replacement cost

...gave me a spread of $500 to $700, parts and labor.

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Based on my lifetime of experience with mechanics' "estimates" I predict your final cost will be............$733.18 ;)

Seriously, though, I hope you wind up closer to $500, especially if the truck is in good shape with little to no rust / crust to deal with.

I've used this guy before for other things. He absolutely seems legit. Small shop, and he stays extremely busy.

Those are usually the mechanics that you're lucky to find! (y)
 
$1K isn't horrible, I can remember when the fuel module for the late `90s-`00 GM Express/Savana vans were almost $1000... JUST FOR THE PART! Thank God the aftermarket started making them.
 
1.4 hours sounds like a standard fuel pump replacement on a vehicle with an access panel, for a tank drop I'd expect it to be somewhere in the 3-5 hour range.
Just going by my copy of Mitchells saying 1.4 hours to replace pump. R&R fuel tank included. The tank is only held in by two straps along with a few hose and wire connections. Shouldn't take more than 20 minutes to drop when on a lift.

estimate.webp
 
On my 97 Z28, when it was with the State Police, they cut a hole in the trunk area to replace the pump. They actually did a really good job welding it back up. The carpet covered it anyway.
Wow, they welded the patch panel back on? That's a lot better than the guys who just use duct tape or sticky foam. I've seen a few real hack jobs (not in person, just in pictures or on video).

One issue with cutting your own access panel is that if the fuel lines weren't designed to be disconnected there on top, you'll have to cut them too and re-connect them with appropriate fittings and clamps. It really swings the advantages away from making the access hole.

Over on the 3rd Gen Camaro forum, there was a guy who had a mint-condition, low-miles '92 Z-28. Might've even been a convertible. Anyway, when he needed a new fuel pump, he took it to a highly-regarded local shop. So the next day, he decided to swing by on his lunch break to check on progress. Lo and behold he found the mechanic in the rear hatch area with his cutoff wheel, just about to start cutting a hole. Not what he wanted and certainly not what the estimate was for!
 
sure it's the pump?

Not sure when GM started using a Fuel Pump Control Module for these...



Not sure, just going by his comments. His reasoning made sense to me. Said he has seen this in other Chevy trucks of my generation.

Hard starting first thing in the morning, followed by very rough idle, then smoothing out and running normal for the rest of the day.

Said there was a check valve in the pump that keeps the gas line from bleeding back into the tank when parked for a while - like overnight. Valve begins to stick, gas siphons back to the tank during the night. Start up in the morning, no gas in the lines / injectors. Pump gradually primes everything, making for hard starting, rough idle until pressure is normal again.

He said if that is what is happening, it will only continue until the pump fails completely. He also said that if the line pressure first thing in the morning is good, then he will look for other issues, perhaps like what you mentioned above.

Time will tell about his diagnosis, price estimate.
 
If this design is like most cars that run the fuel pump for a few seconds when the key is turned on without cranking, turn the key on to prime then back off 4 or 5 times to prime the line, then crank. If it is fuel drain-back, starting should be much improved.
 
Wow, they welded the patch panel back on? That's a lot better than the guys who just use duct tape or sticky foam. I've seen a few real hack jobs (not in person, just in pictures or on video).

One issue with cutting your own access panel is that if the fuel lines weren't designed to be disconnected there on top, you'll have to cut them too and re-connect them with appropriate fittings and clamps. It really swings the advantages away from making the access hole.

Over on the 3rd Gen Camaro forum, there was a guy who had a mint-condition, low-miles '92 Z-28. Might've even been a convertible. Anyway, when he needed a new fuel pump, he took it to a highly-regarded local shop. So the next day, he decided to swing by on his lunch break to check on progress. Lo and behold he found the mechanic in the rear hatch area with his cutoff wheel, just about to start cutting a hole. Not what he wanted and certainly not what the estimate was for

Wow, they welded the patch panel back on? That's a lot better than the guys who just use duct tape or sticky foam. I've seen a few real hack jobs (not in person, just in pictures or on video).

One issue with cutting your own access panel is that if the fuel lines weren't designed to be disconnected there on top, you'll have to cut them too and re-connect them with appropriate fittings and clamps. It really swings the advantages away from making the access hole.

Over on the 3rd Gen Camaro forum, there was a guy who had a mint-condition, low-miles '92 Z-28. Might've even been a convertible. Anyway, when he needed a new fuel pump, he took it to a highly-regarded local shop. So the next day, he decided to swing by on his lunch break to check on progress. Lo and behold he found the mechanic in the rear hatch area with his cutoff wheel, just about to start cutting a hole. Not what he wanted and certainly not what the estimate was for!
I think they welded it shut because it was a State Police vehicle. Probably didn't want to mess around with the repair. Pretty high profile contract they had for the fleet.
 
Flat rate assumes new vehicle, no rust and all appropriate SST's and no prior repairs.

It is common practice for flat-rate times to be increased by a factor on older vehicles.

Also, parts margins are often 50% or higher.
 
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Just going by my copy of Mitchells saying 1.4 hours to replace pump. R&R fuel tank included. The tank is only held in by two straps along with a few hose and wire connections. Shouldn't take more than 20 minutes to drop when on a lift.
Probably could do a couple LOFs too while the car with the bad fuel pump is going up and down on the lift.
 
Why would a new vehicle need a fuel pump? And if it did, warranty would cover it at now cost to the owner. I don't see any additions for older vehicles, and if there was, it would be built into the rate.
Warranty times are discounted from the customer pay time. There are many reasons why new vehicles could require non-warrantable repairs: salvage title, collision, etc.

The labor times are a suggestion and shops are not obligated to follow them where the times are unrealistic for the situation.
 
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