Fuel pump replacement in Chevy Astro

When replacing the fuel pump in a 1998 AWD Chevy Astro van, is it better to buy the fuel pump from the dealer or will other brands perform just as well? If other brands perform as well, which brand to you recommend? The dealer wants $665 for a fuel pump. Thanks!
Sheri

Adopt3 although the price might seem high at the moment, think about warranty on parts. If you buy another brand you will probably not get any warranty on it from your chevy dealer?

Hey adopt3.

I had a similar problem with my 94 safari. I replaced the fuel pump with one from autozone only to have it not work. returned it and got another that didn't work as well. Apparently in there book they did not specify engines with full hat injection (vortec) or throttle body fuel injection. Ended up having to buy a pump at about 3 times the price to get the right fuel pressure. Also seeing that you have to pull the tank to get to the pump, go with the gold first. I am the last one to hit the dealer but in this case I had too.

my question is what is happening that makes you beleive that the fuel pump is bad.i have had several times where ignition module was intermittant function that controls fuel pump relay to cancel fuel pump to keep from fuel build up in the intake manifold.between 1986 and 2007 30 million fuel pumps were replaced to later to find out the ignition module was intermittant.i have driven several chevy vans over the years with over 100,000 mile with out fuel pump failure.what about filter or a leak or fuel regulator problem or bad relay or ignition module or a leaking injector ??? i would check every thing before i pay that price for a pump.turn on key were dash indicators ar on, do not start engine listen for fuel pump an then a click of a relay then wait seen how long in stays pump up if it runs cont to pump does not stop you have a leak some were on fuel rail or fuel line or system or even a bad pump relay.theirs so many unanswer un knowns that i wander.

Post edited by: hobbist, at: 2008/04/28 21:31

that is a great point hobbist. I checked mine by jumping a 12 volt lead directly to the lead going to the tank and it still wouldn't energize. Even went to the trouble of grounding the other side as I wasn't sure if the ground was switching.


My fuel pump wound up being ok. The short wiring harness that went from the top of the tank to the pump itself had shorted. pretty scary. an electrical short INSIDE the gas tank......I went ahead and replaced the pump just because I was there and it is a PAIN to get to.

i am glade you found the problem whats scary is a quater of tank gas or less fumes top part of tank and having you family and small children in cars seats you know what i mean.its just frighten.anyhow its over costly but safe know.

I got mine from oreilly auto parts online for my 98 buick for about a hundred dollars less than the dealer wanted. and it gave a 3psi boost in fuel pressure so my Regal is a little quicker than before. It was slightly larger than the factory pump but a little vaseline on the o ring made it slip right in. I tested the fuel pressure after the repair and was pleasantly suprised to find the 3 psi boost. I am back to the original 28 mpg it got when it was new 10 years ago and the new pump came with a one year warranty.

how could i find out if it is my igintion module? i have a simuler problem with my 2000 astro van . it would not start and could not hear the pump running and had it towed and a few days later i turn the key and heard the pump run and it started . but every time its damp or rains it misses out ? could this be mass flow meter? i have k&n air fiter also. my fuel pump is very loud.

Sounds like you need a cap and rotor.Easy fix. Mine missed all the time in the rain.I now change it once a year,so I don't get stranded