Hi All,
I found a Delphi pump locally and snapped it up. Installed it last night (much cussing and scraped fingers), but got it in, along with a new fuel filter. Fuel pressure jumped right up to a little over 65psi on key-on, then settled in right around 60 while running. I think it runs better now...guessing my fuel pressure has been suffering a little lately, so engine efficiency may not have been where it should be.
BUT! (there's always a 'but') Of course, as some wrenching jobs go, I have a new problem. I have a fairly obvious gas smell in the driver's side rear wheel well. Naturally, I suspected a line that wasn't quite engaged, so I grabbed a flashlight and started crawling around under the Tahoe.
Tank is dry all the way around. No evidence of leaks anywhere.
Not satisfied, I grabbed a telescoping mirror and situated it so I could see the top of the tank from below. Tricky, but possible. Did this from both sides of the tank. I could see pressure sensor hookups and the top of the pump/sender assembly. All the lines were connected and dry...no signs of leakage. I made sure the high-pressure lines were fully engaged, which they are. No fuel drips or sprays on the tank, the lines, the wires, or the floor pan above the tank. All dry. I hit the key a few times to charge the pressure, and still did not find anything. I even started the truck and let it run for a few minutes while I crawled around. No sprays or drips. Hmmmm...
Oddly, I really didn't smell gas around the tank nearly as much as in the wheel well. I investigated all the fuel lines from the tank to the frame rail all the way to the newly-installed Delco fuel filter. All dry. No signs of drips or dampness.
When I had the tank out, I peeked inside. Nice and clean. No signs of anything but a little surface rust on the outside. This truck has spent nearly it's entire life in a garage in either Texas or Colorado...not any rust to speak of anywhere on the vehicle. When the new pump went in, the rubber O-ring was properly positioned and nice and tight.
Popped the hood...fuel lines and engine completely dry. No signs of leakage or smell of gas. Passenger-side rear wheel well doesn't smell like gas. It smells like...uh...tire.
The truck didn't ever smell like gas before I did this job, so it's gotta be related somehow, but hell if I can figure out where the leak is.
I did fill it up this morning, but that has never produced a gas smell before yesterday.
Is it possible that my new-found fuel pressure from the new pump has found a weak link somewhere, and is forcing vapors rather than liquid fuel out someplace? Worn out lines someplace? Ideas?
Thanks, folks!
