'85 fuel pump life

[boblx2a]

I would like someone's advise or "guesstimates" as to the approximate life of my '85 fuel pump. I bought the '85 with 32K on the clock and it now has 72K on it and I wonder if I should start worrying about the life of the fuel pump. I never let it get below 1/4 tank of gas.

The reason for my question is because my '86 pump failed at about 115,000 miles and it did not appear to have been the original pump. I have to park underneath a building at work and had to have the '86 towed because of the fuel pump failure. Since a Vette needs a flat bed to be towed (actually hauled) it was messy getting it out from underneath the building to get it on the truck for the 40 mile trip home.
Not wishing to repeat that messy situation I would prefer to replace the pump under a "preventative maintenance" situation rather then an emergency situation.

Anyones's advice or guess on this subject will be appreciated.

Thanks...............

[JonM]

Link...thanks Ken

This might help you

[NT Vettman]

I just replaced the fuel pump in my 90. I bought it last may with 83K on it. I had no problems but after 15 years and 87k it is cheep insurance. The pump and strainer is about $80 at NAPA. Take out 5 bolts pull the assembly out replace and the pump. 45 minutes to hr and piece of mind. To show you how things go I replace the fuel pump 300 miles later my transmission went south, no warning. So ya never know!

[scorp508]

GM fuel pumps (or should I say AC Delco) love to go out ~70k miles so figure anything over that is a bonus. You can pick up a new one for about $75 (coincidence?) at Autozone and they are cheap insurance.

[boblx2a]

Ok lets try again. (first one diappeared into the Mickysoft)
Thanks for all of the replies. I don't want to try getting another Vette hauled out from under this building so I guess replacement is the best option since it is not too expnsive and I go right by an Autozone on my way home.

I did not have a gauge for failure (I guess no one does) but I was beginning to get concerned about it. My '86 had lots of miles on it and I was not sure if the clock was accurate but I know the one on my '85 is because I knew the previous owner and had a carfax on it.

I bought the replacement for my '86 at a parts store and had it fail on me in the middle of a freeway 15 minutes after I installed it so was not going to trust anything but a dealer part this time. Since I have a vote for Autozone and Napa I guess I may try one of those.

Thanks again for the action on this...................

[tntcorvette]

My fuel pump went dead just at 70K.

Go ahead and replace it before it leavs you stranded. Luckily mine went out in my garage.

[jiangtao]

I have put 3 pumps on my car after owning it for 2 years!! I have an '86 with 92k. It just loves to eat them!! I have racked my brains trying to figure out why. I do have an issue with my fuel pump relay harness. I can wiggle the yellow wire and the pump will come one without the keys in! Also, when this happens the junction box beside the battery will make a clicking noise. The wires on the relay have shrunk so I am considering having the relay re wired. Any other ideas?

[G Winter]

I own an 89 Riv with 218k on it .. as far as I know, never had the feul pump replaced . I have notice the last couple yrs that it starts much better if I wait about 5 seconds after turning the key on to start it. Otherwise it runs good. I think a feul pump is like anything electrical , unpredictable. Even the new pumps fail .

[WhalePirot]

Originally Posted by boblx2a

Since I have a vote for Autozone and Napa I guess I may try one of those.

Did you check pricing at www.gmpartsdirect.com?

[boblx2a]

Originally Posted by WhalePirot

Did you check pricing at www.gmpartsdirect.com?

Thanks, I have bookmarked this URL for future referemce but I already have one from Autozone that is supposed to be an "original" part. It cost much less but it does appear to be the same as the one I remembered from my '86. This is a cool site though and their prices are pretty good.

If any of you were around last fall you may remember my bash with the distributor in this same '85, I am really good at getting into trouble. This job sounds like it will be hard to muff.

I'll give it a try this weekend..................