Hard start/fuel pressure

[nightmarechevy]

My wife informed me yesterday that her battery was going bad because her car has been hard to start lately. I replaced the battery less than a year back so I had her start the car to see what was going on. The car cranked just fine but cranked for a while before starting. I had noticed a very strong gas smell in the garage lately but have 4 dirtbikes and a pressure washer living next to the Camaro so I had just figured it was one of those or the full gas can on the dirtbike trailer. I checked voltage this morning after sitting all night and had no issues there. Primed the fuel pump around 4 times with the key and it fired right up, no hesitation. I let it run for a few minutes and shut it off and checked all injectors, connections, hoses, and evap solenoid under the hood and saw no visible leaks and no puddles/drips under the car. No pending or stored codes aside from a P0330 knock sensor code. Car is a mostly stock 10 SS LS3 with around 26k miles, wife's daily driver to work and around town. We bought the car with 3k miles in Feb of 2011 but it had signs that the previous owner had an FI setup so it is possible the pump has been changed out or BAP installed at some point. Usually I would think fuel pump or regulator but since this is a returnless system that pretty much narrows it down to the pump. The fuel smell has me wondering if it might be vent related or a leak I'm not seeing. Anyone have any info or ideas that I might be overlooking?

[nightmarechevy]

UPDATE. Guess I got a little ahead of myself. Decided I would go pull the seat bottom and pull the wire grommet to see if I could spot a leak. Sure enough it was pretty soaked with fuel. I decided to cut the access panel to see what was going on (used snips rather than cutoff tool to keep from blowing myself to the moon). Quite a bit of fuel puddled up. I kicked the key on and there is a good stream spraying from the connection at the fuel pump. Guess whoever ziptied the harness connector on also connected the fuel line. Soaked up as much fuel as I could and doors, windows, and sunroof open and ceiling fan on full blast in the garage. As soon as I come down from this gasoline high and regain my bearings I'll go see why the connection failed and try to get it sealed back up.

[WoodBoss]

How did your repair go and where is it leaking?

[nightmarechevy]

The plastic fitting on the pump had cracked halfway through and was spraying fuel. Scary thought, my wife's daily driver. I ordered a ZL1 pump but it wont be in until Friday. The seal in the quick connect fitting on the fuel line looks like it may have been torn from the crack as well. Looking to see if I can replace just the fitting itself but if not I will probably buy the $95 line to make sure it doesn't leak later on.

[WoodBoss]

Did you get the Fuel Pump Control Module so an SS ECM can control the ZL1 fuel pump properly? I'm doing an upgrade to a ZL1 fuel pump in the next couple days and swapping out the stock FPCM with an ADM FPCM and adjusting the tune as well. I just borrowed the tool to remove the fuel pump as well, you may want to get one to make the job easier if you don't already have one.

[eLeSthree]

Originally Posted by WoodBoss

Did you get the Fuel Pump Control Module so an SS ECM can control the ZL1 fuel pump properly? I'm doing an upgrade to a ZL1 fuel pump in the next couple days and swapping out the stock FPCM with an ADM FPCM and adjusting the tune as well. I just borrowed the tool to remove the fuel pump as well, you may want to get one to make the job easier if you don't already have one.

A big flat head and hammer works fine.

And he doesnt need a modified fpcm to just run the ZL1 pump. If it were my wifes daily driver, and I HAD to replace the fuel pump, I'd probably just get the zl1 also, instead of a stock replacement.

That way, when its paid off, and he decides its now his drag car, he doesnt have to do that job again

[eLeSthree]

THEN you can modify the FPCM to get the Fuel Pressure that you need.

[eLeSthree]

I have a stock SS fuel pump if anyone wants it. Free, just PM for pickup details. no shipping.

[nightmarechevy]

Stock fpcm for now. The car is paid off and already has 2" primary LTs, catless extensions, Street Slayer dual carbon clutch, PTB, catback. I figured since I was replacing it anyway I would drop in a ZL1 pump and not have to buy an upgraded pump later on. The plan was always to supercharge it but I have held off since it is her daily. She is wanting a Jeep so if that happens I will probably get a supercharger for the SS and upgrade the fpcm at that point.

[nightmarechevy]

Also, using the punch and hammer technique. I actually pulled it a few days ago to check it out and see if I will need anything else and reinstalled it so the ring is already about halfway off.

[eLeSthree]

Try to get the fuel level low. Sucks when even half full.

[nightmarechevy]

Yeah, figured that out the hard way. I was around 1/4 tank and thought it would be good. Still made a mess.

[nightmarechevy]

Fuel pump arrived today. Unboxed and the hose nipple at the base of the pump was broken off. Packaging was perfect but it looks like the expanding foam used by AC Delco put it in a bind and caused it to snap off. Thanks AC Delco, now I have to find transportation for another week or so while waiting for a replacement.