Fuel Pump?
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New User
Joined: Jul 2004
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Fuel Pump?
I haven't started my truck in months and I stored it with a low amount of fuel in it. So the other day I tried to start it and it didn't start. I noticed that fuel wasn't getting to the carb because I have a clear plastic fuel filter. It was completely dry. It was last leaking gas slightly from the carb when I stored it. Just small leak from the carb which required tightening some loose screws.
I have two tanks. The back is metal and the front is poly. Is it possible that some rust in the line is doing this?
Where do you think I should start to fix?
I was thinking it was the fuel pump but also thinking that its strange for it to completely not work all of a sudden.
Do I need to prime the manual fuel pump if the tank was empty?
Not sure where to start. I appreciate your expert advice.
Thanks!
I have two tanks. The back is metal and the front is poly. Is it possible that some rust in the line is doing this?
Where do you think I should start to fix?
I was thinking it was the fuel pump but also thinking that its strange for it to completely not work all of a sudden.
Do I need to prime the manual fuel pump if the tank was empty?
Not sure where to start. I appreciate your expert advice.
Thanks!
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,945
Likes: 13
No, you would have to take the line off and bend it and such to see a hole or crack.. the smallest one can wreak havoc. Ive never had to prime one but dump a gas can in and save a little for the carb. Fire it up and itll run for a few seconds, see if your filter gets fuel then. Also, make sure the gas didnt evaporate outta the tank while its been sitting, which is why i suggested more fuel.
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
Take the distributor cap off, and crank the engine. Watch the rotor and make sure it turns. If it turns, you know the camshaft is turning and the fuel pump arm should be moving. Then take the rubber input line off the pump - the one that comes from the metal tank line. Dump it to the ground to make sure it has siphon pressure. If it does, reinstall it. If both those checks turn out good, it's probably the fuel pump. It's always a good idea to change your oil after a fuel pump went bad. You may find the oil smells like gas.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 669
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From: Crestline, California
I don't think there is actually a way to prime the pump? It's mechanical. As noted, I too would recommend putting a little gas in the carb and firing it up before trying other things.
Also for future reference, it's never a good idea to store only "a small amount" of gas in the tank. Condensation can easily form and causes that really nasty word........ RUST! If you are going to store the truck fill up the tanks and add some "Sta Bil" to the fuel tanks.
Good luck!
Dak
Also for future reference, it's never a good idea to store only "a small amount" of gas in the tank. Condensation can easily form and causes that really nasty word........ RUST! If you are going to store the truck fill up the tanks and add some "Sta Bil" to the fuel tanks.
Good luck!
Dak
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New User
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I fixed the fuel issue the other day and got my truck running.
I took off the fuel line coming from the tanks and attached some spare line to the pump and put the other end in a gas can. The truck started right up, so I ruled out a fuel pump issue.
There was a six inch piece of rubber hose going from the pump to the metal fuel line. Not sure how far down the metal line ran. So I decided to take a small hand pump used to blow up rubber rafts and attach it to the metal line running to the tanks. I used the vacuum end of the pump to see if I could draw any gas.
It took a few pumps then the hand pump started to draw gas from the metal fuel line coming from the back tank.
I replaced the six inch piece of rubber coming from the tanks metal fuel line to the inlet of the fuel pump.
After that I tried to start the truck up and it worked. Ran great.
I'm not sure if this small rubber piece needed to be replaced or if drawing gas down the line made the difference. I did notice that the rubber hose on the inlet side of the fuel pump was slightly loose. Maybe the hose swelled.
Thanks for everyones help.
I took off the fuel line coming from the tanks and attached some spare line to the pump and put the other end in a gas can. The truck started right up, so I ruled out a fuel pump issue.
There was a six inch piece of rubber hose going from the pump to the metal fuel line. Not sure how far down the metal line ran. So I decided to take a small hand pump used to blow up rubber rafts and attach it to the metal line running to the tanks. I used the vacuum end of the pump to see if I could draw any gas.
It took a few pumps then the hand pump started to draw gas from the metal fuel line coming from the back tank.
I replaced the six inch piece of rubber coming from the tanks metal fuel line to the inlet of the fuel pump.
After that I tried to start the truck up and it worked. Ran great.
I'm not sure if this small rubber piece needed to be replaced or if drawing gas down the line made the difference. I did notice that the rubber hose on the inlet side of the fuel pump was slightly loose. Maybe the hose swelled.
Thanks for everyones help.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,398
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From: Hesperia, CA
Routine maintenance says you should change out you radiator and heater hoses every two years. I think it is over kill but they should be changed at least every five years. Nobody says a darn thing about the rubber hoses in the gas lines but they are just as important to change out on a regular maintenance schedule. Gas just tears the heck out of the insides of these lines and can cause all kinds of problems.
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More Turbo
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Make sure to monitor you oil level and what your oil smells like. If all of a sudden it jumps up from the previous day and has a strong gas smell, do not drive your truck! What's happening is the pump is bad and is dumping raw gas into your crankcase. Gas isn't a very good lubricant.