Wednesday, March 24, 2010

I fixed my car...and by 'I fixed my car', I mean, the shop fixed my car

So, this week, both of our cars decided that they have had it with this world. My Truck wouldn't start--it needed a new fuel pump. Oh, a fuel pump should be cheap, shouldn't it? Nope it is not. I then decided to investigate how to replace a fuel pump on my own. This is what I pulled up:
  1. Determine the fuel pump that your Chevy Silverado will require. This depends on the make and model and engine size of your vehicle. Models are equipped with a Vortec 4.3 L, 4.8 L, 5.3 L or 6.0 L engine depending on the exact model.

  2. Step2

    Disconnect the negative battery cable with a socket wrench. Relieve the fuel system pressure, drain and remove the fuel tank. Remove the retaining ring for the fuel sender assembly with a fuel tank sending unit wrench.

  3. Step3

    Note the position of the fuel strainer before pulling it off and discarding it. Unplug the electrical connection for the fuel pump and the fuel level sensor under the cover of the fuel sender.

  4. Step4

    Remove the retaining clip for the fuel level sensor and remove the fuel level sensor by squeezing the locking tangs. You may now remove the fuelpressure sensor.

  5. Step5

    Install the new fuel pump using the items included in the kit, especially the fuel strainer. Tighten the mounting bolts for the fuel tank straps 30 ft. lbs with a torque wrench.

  6. Step6

    Complete the installation by reversing the removal procedure.


    Are you frakkin' kidding me? You really think that I would be able to follow those directions? Let me put it this way--I decided to take it into a shop. I know my ways around a computer and a woman (totally kidding!), but my car experience is rough to say the least. Got the car back, and it wasn't cheap...but if I had tried to have done it, my car would have probably exploded.

5 comments:

Brodi Ashton said...

You totally know your way around a woman. But now "fuel pump" sounds a little dirty...

Amy said...

One down one to go!!!! By the way Hank barked the ENTIRE time the tow truck was at your house. For a solid 20 minutes I yelled shut the H*** up you stupid dog. Then I was angry for the rest of the day. Well maybe not the rest of the day......maybe a good ten more minutes.

Sam said...

Bro--Thank you!! And, you are right about 'fuel pump.'

Amy--We love Hank except when he takes care of his business on our lawn. Actually, we still love him even when he does that.

Clint Moore said...

That's right. If you're not sure with the DIY stuff, you can always go to the nearest repair shop to get your car fixed. That way, you'll be a lot more certain that your car will be fixed.

Michelina Douglass said...

I totally agree with what you did. Just because you’re not as literate with cars as other people, it doesn’t mean you care any less about it. You did the right thing by bringing it into an auto repair shop instead of trying to do the job yourself. Hopefully, your car hasn’t given you trouble since then.