Fuel pump replacement for a 98 Chevy Astro

[mormit]

Anyone ever changeout a fuel pump on a Chevy Astro?

I'm helping my brother-in-law with his Astro (1998 4.3V6 with about 162K) which is not starting. Troubleshooting points to the fuel pump. The pump cannot be heard running when cranking and the relay is definely working.

Looking for a replacement pump for this vehicle does not look promising. It is an in-tank pump and is sold only as a fuel sender assembly. Autozone wants $305 and the dealer wants $597 plus tax.

What I did find so far was a pump only for the 98 Astro LS for $96 from thepartsbin. That's more like it for a fuel pump. Both the Astro and LS version have the 4.3 V6 and the same fuel system. Anyone know if this pump will match-up with the Astro sending unit?

 

[NYEngineer]

Do you have any buddies with an auto repair business that could possibly get you a discount at the dealer? I had to swap the pump in my Yukon. The list price was crazy, but I wound up getting the dealer pump for 223 bucks with a shop discount and no tax.

 

[mormit]

A neighbor of mine might be able to get shop pricing on the whole unit.

I would still rather get just the pump. Seems wastefull to put that much money in a van that may only see a couple more years.

 

[Donald]

Before you swap the pump you need to be positive that there is no pressure from the fuel pump. So attach a pressure gauge or (slightly unsafe) unscrew the fuel supply hose and have someone crank the engine and look for gas to come out.

As for the pump vs assembly, replacing the pump is much cheaper, but in many cases the gas lines coming out of the tank are rusty and their fittings are rusted on, and when you try and unscrew the fitting, you just twist and then snap the gas line. So be prepared to replace the assembly. A local mechanic says he always plans on replacing the assembly and then sometimes gets lucky. When I did a fuel pump on 1993 Suburban I had to replace the assembly, then when the pump went again a year latter, I just did the pump.

 

[NYEngineer]

On a 98, it probably has plastic nipples with those click on hoses. You'll need the special release tools to get them off and you'll probably break one. Just get the assembly.