The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Fuel pumps failing

In the last 1000 miles I have gone thru 2 mechanical fuel pumps. I'm using the Airtex 4149. What seems to be happening is for some reason the pump arm that rides on the lobe seems to get stuck in and only returns out a fraction of the way. When the pumps were new the arm would fully extend allowing a full compression stroke and full return stroke to properly pump. If I let it sit for a while the arm seems to pop back out to its full outward position. even with all the lines disconnected and pumping it by hand it will still not fully return outward all the time.

Was I lucky enough to get 2 bad pumps?

I installed a fuel pump that I bought from Jim Carter about a year ago and have had no trouble with it. Here is a link--

http://www.oldchevytrucks.com/cart/product.asp?prodid=ME737&i=10318|||||

I think I would try a different brand. I'm not aware of anything in the engine itself that would cause that. A lot of these parts are made overseas these days so who know how good the quality control is.

Did your truck run before you changed the first fuel pump? If not you could have a bunch of rust / varnish coming thru and plugging the fuel pump maybe?

Back in the dark ages, Airtex rebuilt pumps were always considered to be a bottom of the heap choice- - - -cheap and unreliable. See if you can find a new, not rebuilt Carter pump and forget about any fuel supply problems for a long time. It might also be a good idea to add a second fuel filter on the supply side of the pump to trap any sediment before it can contaminate the one-way valves in the pump assembly.
Jerry

Truck was a ground up build with new parts. The tank is new and clean and all new lines were used. I already have a filter between the tank and pump. Both of the Airtex pumps worked fine for about 300 miles each then started this issue. I get fuel starve now if i drive a little aggressively or take a highway run and keep the rpm's up. for any length of time.

Summit Racing has NEW, not rebuilt Carter pumps for the 235 for $32.97 with free shipping. That should solve your problem. Search Ebay for "235 Chevy fuel pump" to find the Summit ad.
Jerry

buying airtex fuel pumps for an s10 resulted in problems - I find the brand questionable.

We put a freshly rebuilt dual pump on a friends 216 several
years ago from Rock Auto. Don't recall who the re-builder
was, but the truck had only been driven for a few miles when
it was parked and has been sitting in his garage for several
years. We went to start it recently and although the pump had
been performing just fine, now it wasn't putting out any pressure
at all.
We haven't pulled it off the engine because that engine is out
of the truck now, but I suspect it has something to do with
the alcohol and it's effect on the rubber diaphragm that was
used by the re-builder.
dg

Jerry,
Thanks for the tip for I will be working on a friend's 235 in a few days who needs a new fuel pump.


Here's a link to the Summit page for all.
216/235 fuel pump

The Summit one on Ebay is now the same price as the one Craig linked to plus shipping, with "free shipping". I checked NAPA online and they have it for $36. I called and ordered one. I went to pick it up this morning and was charged $40.89 plus tax. I was told to get the internet price I would need to order it online. I told them it sounds like a deceptive trade practice.

My napa's here in the Canada Edmonton areas cant get the carter ones. Phoned all around town and guys only carry Airtex. A local old chev truck place is the only one selling them for $60 odd each.

This is in a NAPA box marked with the Carter number, M2118.