YACT: Chevy Blazer Won't Start After Changing Fuel Filter

[Insane Koolaid Man]

All right, while driving home from her office yesterday my mom's Blazer suddenly lost all acceleration. She managed to nurse it home, and I put it up on ramps to check the fuel filter on the suggestion of a mechanic friend. Well, it turns out this thing hadn't had it's fuel filter changed since it had left the factory... in 1995. Now, after changing the fuel filter, it won't start. It turns over, but it just won't start.

Car Specs: 96 Chevy Blazer, 4.3L Vortec V6, 171,000 miles.

 

[virtueixi]

What happens when you turn it over? Sounds etc.

 

[Insane Koolaid Man]

It basically sounds like it should, as in there's no strange noises or anything, but it just keeps cranking and cranking.

 

[virtueixi]

It looks like the engine isn't getting any fuel. Maybe check for leaks and such.

 

[Insane Koolaid Man]

I went and took another look under the car, and there doesn't appear to be fuel leaking out anywhere.

 

[ohtwell]

There is fuel in the car, right?


: ) Amanda

 

[Sluggo]

Maybe it was the fuel pump that went out instead of a clogged filter.

 

[Insane Koolaid Man]

Yes, there is fuel in the car.

And I was thinking about the fuel pump, but before I stopped working on it last night I had to turn the ignition on to roll the windows up, and fuel came shooting out of the open line, so I was hoping that it wasn't the fuel pump that went out.

 

[cmdrmoocow]

I did almost the *exact* same thing with my 97' caravan. It turned out to be the fuel pump that was the problem.

Edit: The filter was also bad.

 

[Insane Koolaid Man]

Well, it was the fuel pump. My uncle and myself dropped the gas tank and installed the new fuel pump tonight, and it started right up afterwards. I must say, that was one hell of a job, damn in-tank pumps suck.

 

[Rage187]

yep, my Cutlasses all had in tank pumps.

PITA

 

[jtusa]

Did you put the filter on the right way or backwards?

 

[Insane Koolaid Man]

The filter was on the right way, I made sure of that when i put it on. It's hard enough to get at it, I sure as hell didn't want to do it again.

 

[Beau]

Should have just run some warm soapy water through the fuel system to clean out the muck and gunk in the lines....

 

[StageLeft]

Filter may have been dirty, but I bet it was not the reason why the thing started limping home, and it's not the reason why it won't start now.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Insane Koolaid Man
Well, it was the fuel pump. My uncle and myself dropped the gas tank and installed the new fuel pump tonight, and it started right up afterwards. I must say, that was one hell of a job, damn in-tank pumps suck.

They aren't too bad with no gas in them.

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: Insane Koolaid Man
The filter was on the right way, I made sure of that when i put it on. It's hard enough to get at it, I sure as hell didn't want to do it again.

isn't it just on the driver's side frame rail? that's where it was on my s10..

 

[Vette73]

Well the 2 things that cause a fuel pump to wear out, beside age, is not replacing the fuel filter enough and letting the tank run less then 1/4. So keep up with the filter and try not to let the tank get less then 1/4 full.

 

[fredtam]

Originally posted by: Insane Koolaid Man
Well, it was the fuel pump. My uncle and myself dropped the gas tank and installed the new fuel pump tonight, and it started right up afterwards. I must say, that was one hell of a job, damn in-tank pumps suck.

I like my in tank pump. Open the hatchback.Fold back carpet. Remove screws and disconnect electrical and pull it out.

On my truck I removed the bed instead of dropping the tank.

 

[Insane Koolaid Man]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: Insane Koolaid Man
The filter was on the right way, I made sure of that when i put it on. It's hard enough to get at it, I sure as hell didn't want to do it again.

isn't it just on the driver's side frame rail? that's where it was on my s10..

Yeah, but there's a whole load of crap sitting in the way of it, including the nice skid plate I had to remove. It isn't too bad once you know how to move everything to get right at it.

 

[Ausm]

Originally posted by: jtusa4
Did you put the filter on the right way or backwards?

That's my guess also.


Ausm

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Insane Koolaid Man

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: Insane Koolaid Man
The filter was on the right way, I made sure of that when i put it on. It's hard enough to get at it, I sure as hell didn't want to do it again.

isn't it just on the driver's side frame rail? that's where it was on my s10..

Yeah, but there's a whole load of crap sitting in the way of it, including the nice skid plate I had to remove. It isn't too bad once you know how to move everything to get right at it.

And break half the bolts