Buddy of mine has a 02 S-10 with the V6 (4.3 I think). Called me the other day and said that it had been getting harder and harder to start, now won't start at all. Said it was throwing codes, but he hadn't had it checked out. He suspects that it is the fuel pump.

I went over and took a look. Has P0171 and P0174 codes (lean condition bank 1 and 2 according to my code reader). Was getting about 45 psi on my pressure gauge, but it was leaking so not overly confident in that reading.

New fuel pump is about $300, so want to check out the easy things first. Truck has about 85,000 miles on it. Any suggestions of where to start?

Going to go home and see if I can get my guage to stop leaking first so I can get a good reading on that, but past that I see everything from O2 sensors to MAF, to IAC to fuel pump. . .

Thanks in advance.

 

My son has a 01 Toyota that was throwing same code. I got on Toy site and they recommended that I take the mass airflow sensor out, get some throttle body cleaner and spray the living poop out of it. I did, plus gingerly q-tip cleaned the sensor, put it back together, cleared the code by unhooking battery for 2 minutes and re-connecting.

Code went away, truck INSTANTLY rran better and his fuel mileage increased from 15 to 19 MPG. Amazing what a little crud on a sensor can cause. Another thing to look at, if cleaning doesn't fix it is check the catalytic converter. If it is stopped up, it may be adding to the problem. I had a cat clog up on an old Chebby, and it would not allow me to get over 40 mph with my right foot on the floor.

Good luck!!

Gary

 

Thanks I think I'll need it. Think we'll try to clean the sensor and replace the fuel filter and see where we're at. Got my gauge to hold better tonight so I'll run over and see what kind of reading he's getting on pressure.

I read that they have to have 55psi before the injectors will fire. Hopefully I was just leaking off a lot of pressure. I was seeing about 45 on my gauge the other day. Be miles ahead if we can just get it started again.

 

Those fuel pumps are notorious for premature failure on the Vortec equipped trucks. They run at a very high pressure and as the manual says, if they get just a little weak, the pressure drops just below 55 PSI and you get a no-start. If you can confirm your pressure reading, I would condemn the fuel pump. If I had one of those, I would change the fuel filter as often as possible to reduce strain on the pump.

 

That's the other thing that I've seen on them. Asked him when the last time was he put a filter on it. . .he said, "I didn't think it had a filter on it."

I'm thinking lifting the bed on it would be way easier than dropping the tank to replace the pump if needed. Anyone done that on an S10? I think just 4 bolts to the bed?

 

My vote on the fuel pump too. It's still making pressure, but not enugh to open the enjectors. Notorious problem. I know some with blazers have made access panels in the rear bed, because it's so common.