Vhyle
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- Clarksville, TN
So if you've been following my posts in the "What have you done to your CUCV" thread, you probably remember my fuel pump issues I've been having.
To recap: I installed a new fuel pump because the old one was leaking. The replacement pump is a Precision brand pump. During the install, I made sure the pushrod was recessed completely in the block, so I can install the pump properly. I used grease on the rod so it would stay in place.
I also had to replace the fuel injector drainback tube, because it broke from rust and corrosion.
Got everything back installed and ready to go, and I went to turn it over to start bleeding the system. It just wouldn't bleed. It wouldn't even think about starting. I was getting nothing through the fuel filter.
(this is all over a span of a couple of weeks, mind you, because of super-late work days and abysmal weather that I just didn't want to deal with)
So the other day, I decided to remove the rubber hose (which was also replaced during the pump install) from the line coming from the tank, and tried to funnel some fuel into the pump, in hopes of priming it somehow. I filled up the funnel tube, and then tried to turn it over again. It turned over and over, but the pump didn't suck in one bit of the fuel. So then I determined the pump itself isn't working. Next step, of course, is to remove the pump and see what's going on. Maybe the pump is crap, or maybe the install went wrong somehow.
So tonight, since the weather was decent, I pulled the pump back off.
The pushrod broke clean in half! Perfect break, almost dead center. Two clean pieces. Once I removed the pump mounting plate, the bottom half fell out. The top half was actually still in the journal, being held there by the grease I used during the install. I used a magnet to retrieve it, and it slid right out. I think this is kinda odd. There's no damage to the block (as far as I can tell). Just a perfectly snapped pushrod.
Now, a few observations I had during all this: the new fuel pump is EXTREMELY stiff. Like, I couldn't actuate it by hand unless I was immortal. The old one pumps with ease. Of course, it's old and has some wear and tear. So I figured it was normal for new pumps to be so stiff. Plus on top of that, the pushrod is 27 years old and has been exposed to many many many cycles and lots of heat, and perhaps developed a weak spot in the center. The new pump just finished it off.
Maybe the install went wrong? Maybe I put pressure on the pushrod during the reinstall without realizing it, and broke it after it was all back together?
Manufacturer defect? I doubt it though, because I've never heard or read anyone else with a 6.2 that experienced this.
Maybe I just have dumb luck?
Anyways, check out the pics. My plan is to get a different pump; probably AC Delco brand. As far as the pushrod, I'll simply make a new one! I make my living in a machine shop. Making a new one of these would be cakewalk.
To recap: I installed a new fuel pump because the old one was leaking. The replacement pump is a Precision brand pump. During the install, I made sure the pushrod was recessed completely in the block, so I can install the pump properly. I used grease on the rod so it would stay in place.
I also had to replace the fuel injector drainback tube, because it broke from rust and corrosion.
Got everything back installed and ready to go, and I went to turn it over to start bleeding the system. It just wouldn't bleed. It wouldn't even think about starting. I was getting nothing through the fuel filter.
(this is all over a span of a couple of weeks, mind you, because of super-late work days and abysmal weather that I just didn't want to deal with)
So the other day, I decided to remove the rubber hose (which was also replaced during the pump install) from the line coming from the tank, and tried to funnel some fuel into the pump, in hopes of priming it somehow. I filled up the funnel tube, and then tried to turn it over again. It turned over and over, but the pump didn't suck in one bit of the fuel. So then I determined the pump itself isn't working. Next step, of course, is to remove the pump and see what's going on. Maybe the pump is crap, or maybe the install went wrong somehow.
So tonight, since the weather was decent, I pulled the pump back off.
The pushrod broke clean in half! Perfect break, almost dead center. Two clean pieces. Once I removed the pump mounting plate, the bottom half fell out. The top half was actually still in the journal, being held there by the grease I used during the install. I used a magnet to retrieve it, and it slid right out. I think this is kinda odd. There's no damage to the block (as far as I can tell). Just a perfectly snapped pushrod.
Now, a few observations I had during all this: the new fuel pump is EXTREMELY stiff. Like, I couldn't actuate it by hand unless I was immortal. The old one pumps with ease. Of course, it's old and has some wear and tear. So I figured it was normal for new pumps to be so stiff. Plus on top of that, the pushrod is 27 years old and has been exposed to many many many cycles and lots of heat, and perhaps developed a weak spot in the center. The new pump just finished it off.
Maybe the install went wrong? Maybe I put pressure on the pushrod during the reinstall without realizing it, and broke it after it was all back together?
Manufacturer defect? I doubt it though, because I've never heard or read anyone else with a 6.2 that experienced this.
Maybe I just have dumb luck?
Anyways, check out the pics. My plan is to get a different pump; probably AC Delco brand. As far as the pushrod, I'll simply make a new one! I make my living in a machine shop. Making a new one of these would be cakewalk.
