Hey guys. Had a fuel leak so I had to drop the tank on my 97 Expy. It has 96,000 miles. Just wondered if there was an average life expectancy on the fuel pumps in these. I had a Blazer that would need a pump about every 100,000. I would like to just put a new one in it while the tank is out but $ is tight- but if there's a good chance it will wear out soon I'll charge it . Thanks for the help.

 

On another note-the fuel tank vent pipe flange is broken and apparently it has been discontinued. I can't find one online. Local dealer can't find one. Does anybody know where I can get one short of having to go drop a fuel tank at a junkyard?

 

You can try to find it at: Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market which is an online site for 100s of junkyards.

As to the fuel pump I would say 10 years is a good average. Climate can affect it's longevity as well as if the fuel tank is mostly kept over or under 1/2 a tank. Over 1/2 a tank and cooler climates will make it last longer.

 

+1 on keeping the tank over half full. Fuel keeps pump cooler.

 

Thanks alloro. Yep I know to keep the fuel level up but I just bought the vehicle recently so have no idea how it was kept up with before. Seems to have been serviced pretty good. Well I've been searching for the part and keep coming up with nothing. Not sure what to do at this point. Local yard's won't sell the part- they want to sell me the whole tank. Think there is any way to repair this? It's the vent to the fuel fill tube. I'm not sure how it comes out either. Tried unscrewing it but it wouldn't budge. I don't want to destroy it- especially if I have to try and repair it somehow. Thanks for the help.

 

It's only a vent, however, dirt in the tank is not good.
I would buy a "roll"of proxy putty, which is a two part epoxy putty which could be applied on a clean surface and still get many years of service. Available at Home Depot, ace, etc.

 

Thanks that what I was thinking of doing. The original problem was that the gas tank was leaking when I filled it up or when driving down the road and turned/hit a bump, parked on a hill, etc. The only thing I wasn't sure about using an epoxy is if I would need to put something under it to make a base so it didn't fall down in the tank or clog up the vent- and I couldn't think of anything I could use that would be fuel resistant. There doesn't seem to be any traces of fuel leaking anywhere else but I might put a new o ring on the fuel pump just to be on the safe side. Appreciate the help. I need to get done with her- supposed to drive her on vacation next month and I've still got a lot to do!

 

Not sure how its mounted but looks like in a rubber base of sorts. You might take it out and match up to a plastic elbow at Home Depot or Lowes, etc. There are are many sizes available with plastic becoming so common in new housing plumbing.
Best to replace if possible.

 

It looks like if you first remove the fuel pump that you'll be able to reach in and around to squeeze the plastic tabs holding the fitting in place. Once out I would drill out the center and install a threaded 90 that will also fit the vent hose. What you have to be careful of is the fact that whatever you use, epoxy, or plastic, or metal, that it is suitable for contact with gasoline.

 

I ended up using some gas tank epoxy on it. Seems to be holding well. Put the tank back in yesterday and there is nothing even close to coming into contact with it. It will be a while before I can fill it up to make sure it holds so it'll have plenty of time to cure lol. If it doesn't it I'll let y'all know.