Fuel Pump Replacement in 04 Vibe

[87iroc]

Did some searching around and think I've got a decent idea on the replacement of my wife's Vibe's Fuel pump.A couple parts procurment questions though.I'm looking at like Adv Auto and they have a fuel pump w/1 yr warranty for 130 or so dollars. I get on Rock Auto and I can get a AC Delco unit for 60 bucks. Why the difference?Also, I have replaced in tank pumps before and you always have to replace the 'screen'...but as the fuel filter is in the tank on this car, it would be dumb(at least IMHO) not to replace the filter while I'm in there. Is the filter and the pickup screen 2 different pices(it appears so from what I've seen0.So from Rock Auto, all 3 pieces(pickup screen, filter, and pump) can be had for about 135 bucks. Does this sound right? It almost sounds 'too good to be true'.Is there 2 different screens available for these cars? I've seen 2 listed on Rock Auto. Appear to be different shapes. One is like 10 bucks, the other is 30. AWD use a different tank maybe?Finally, reinstalling the cover in the passenger compartment. I see its just held on with caulk of some sort. DO you guys just silicone it back on?Oh, if it matters, wifes car has 150k miles on it, mostly interstate. Fuel pump is still good, but I got stuck on the interstate in my pickup with a bad fuel pump a month ago....so wanted to change the one in her car before we head on a 13 hr car trip this summer. Don't want to be halfway up a mountain in BFE somewhere and get stranded.Thanks,

[Sublimewind]

It's really hard to say what the difference in price between the 2 equate to... you know how mark-up works, they can do whatever they want basically.. lol... I would replace it all if I were going in.. why wouldn't you? don't do the job twice.. I don't know what the differences in the screens would be, but i'll look at my service manual.. Ok, just looked and there IS a difference in the filters between the AWD and FWD.. The FWD filter is L shaped and the AWD version is a tapered rectangle... They exit/enter the pump from completely opposite directions, too... from looking at the diagram.. I wouldn't use Silicone on the cover.. You can get a product called "strip caulk" at Home Depot.. it would be a better, less permanent choice

[87iroc]

OK. I'm going to order the 3 pieces up. I figured it only made sense to change it all. I was suprised when there was all this talk on here about never needing to change the fuel filter...but nothing about 'but when you do the pump, it only makes sense'...I hope the L shaped one is the cheaper one!!!Thanks!

[RIT]

You either have too much time on their hands, or too much money or both. I never heard of anyone replacing a fuel pump as preventative maintenance. I would tend to wait until it goes before replacing it. Just my opinion.

[ToolGuy]

Quote, originally posted by RIT »You either have too much time on their hands, or too much money or both. I never heard of anyone replacing a fuel pump as preventative maintenance. I would tend to wait until it goes before replacing it. Just my opinion.Hey now! He stated the current pump has 150,000 miles on it and they are going to take a long trip soon. Plus he got stuck once when a pump died on him. I can see his reasoning. If it died on the trip, add a tow bill and be at the mercy of a repair shop, $500 later, easily!

[JohnC]

87Iroc; how about taking a few pictures and keepin track of parts numbers. This would make a nice "How-To".BTW I have always used plumbers putty for leak proofing and re-opening of access panels like these.I have 140K on my 04 and have been wondering how the fuel pump is doing, I too have been left stranded by electric fuel pump failures and they both were about this mileage (niether one a Vibe).I have been told that by keeping at least a 1/4 tank of gas at all times it will make them last longer since they are cooled by the fuel.Good luck with this.

[87iroc]

Quote, originally posted by RIT »You either have too much time on their hands, or too much money or both. I never heard of anyone replacing a fuel pump as preventative maintenance. I would tend to wait until it goes before replacing it. Just my opinion.If it was a $350 pump like my truck, that required a bed lift off or a tank drop, I might wait. But as it 'appears' easy and should only cost about 130 bucks...I'm doing it as preventative maintenance.The car now has 160k on it. I don't drive it much, but the wife filled me on on the mileage this weekend. Unless someone says they've never seen a toyota pump go before 200k miles, I'm gonna swap it out.

[87iroc]

Quote, originally posted by JohnC »87Iroc; how about taking a few pictures and keepin track of parts numbers. This would make a nice "How-To".BTW I have always used plumbers putty for leak proofing and re-opening of access panels like these.I have 140K on my 04 and have been wondering how the fuel pump is doing, I too have been left stranded by electric fuel pump failures and they both were about this mileage (niether one a Vibe).I have been told that by keeping at least a 1/4 tank of gas at all times it will make them last longer since they are cooled by the fuel.Good luck with this.I'll work on that. It appears I just ordered the AWD strainer. The L shaped that is mentioned above is the expensive freakin' strainer. 30+bucks from Rockauto just for the strainer. That's a bit ridiculous!! I forgot to double check my order before pulling the trigger. I'll call them and see if they can swap out the order.Thanks for the tip on the plumbers putty. I'll make the call on what to use when I get there. I have all sorts of items around the house from car and house projects. Think I have some plumbers putty sitting there too.

[87iroc]

Interesting, just looked. The Advanced Auto stores only offer the rectangular one for Vibes, no L shaped one. Wonder if the rectangle will work for any of them. Edit: Same with Autozone. Hmmmmmm