Jim Grant's Tech Tips
GM fuel pump eater
Q:
Not a question, but
input. I had a GM van that ate fuel pumps right and left. The problem
was that an anti splash baffle in the tank had come loose. It wouldn't
show physical damage to the pump but would cause failure. I replaced the
tank and pump and drove 60 thousand miles plus without failure again.
- Sal
A:
Sal is responding to
a recent readers problem with their GM van eating up fuel pumps. In the
tank of most fuel injected vehicles there is a baffle. The job of this
baffle is to retain fuel around the fuel pump. Why is this? During acceleration
and deceleration fuel moves to the rear or front of the fuel tank. If
the tank is low in fuel this can cause the fuel pump to starve for fuel
resulting in stalling and premature fuel pump failure. Gasoline is what
cools and lubricates the fuel pump. Whenever fuel pumps are replaced inspection
of the baffle should be performed. Thanks for the heads-up Sal.
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