Cleanworks
Moderator
Using my little Astro van cds today. Ran for 4 hours straight, no problem. Just finished my last job and the van died before I could wrap up. Sounds like the fuel pump. Good thing I have a back up unit or two.
Waiting for the tow truck
- Thread starter Cleanworks
- Start date
Steve Lawrence
Member
Yeah, I've been towed a lot over the years. Not the Butler issues, of course, but GM, of course. One thing I always remember to do is dump the fresh tank (over 900 lbs). Then they can use a normal tow truck.
Cleanworks
Moderator
I seem to have my share of fuel pump issues. I can't hear the fuel pump when I engage the ignition. Only have about 20 gallons at most in the waste tank. That's the nice about the astro van, anything can tow it.
Cleanworks
Moderator
Thanks Jimmy you would probably be faster than these guys. Still waiting. Of course it's rush hour. At least I finished the job before it died.
Jim Williams
Member
I feel for you. I've been battling Chevy computer/sensor issues for 6 weeks. It finally broke down completely yesterday so my stepbrother who is a mechanic came and towed it and hopefully got it fixed. I worked my tail off all weekend getting my backup van on the road. Replaced the alternator, had it inspected and got a plate, then went to do a store last night and discovered the water pump on the old truckmount had cracked and the blower had almost no suction. Spent 5 hours hacking it out with a porty. Time to send my backup machine to the graveyard. The backup van runs good though. And the old Ninja porty cleaned just fine and the old van still looks good enough for a Christmas parade.
hogjowl
Idiot™
I can still remember the days when I could buy a new Chevy van and drive it for 10 years with no breakdowns
Not anymore
Not anymore
Cleanworks
Moderator
I'm hoping it's not the computer. I just went through that with my dodge. That's a nice looking van, you want to put it back to working shape and use it once in a while.
Lee Stockwell
FOJL
When I can, I put a covered hole in the van floor to access the fuel pump. Makes it a MUCH easier job.
Cleanworks
Moderator
Especially when you have a full tank of gas. Last time I had a fuel pump done was on a ford e150. I had just filled up and the truck wouldn't start. Sure enough when I got the truck back, it was empty. I asked them what happened to all that has and they said, with a straight face, "we had to dispose of it".
Steve Lawrence
Member
"dispose" as in transferred to a working vehicle you do not own. (cheaper than actually getting rid of it.)
Cleanworks
Moderator
I'm sure some employees benefitted.
Bob Savage
Member
Chevy is bad for fuel pumps failing so I use Ford vans, except for my Astro, which did have a fuel pump failure to the tune of $600.
Cleanworks
Moderator
Probably be $900 here. I liked my ford but the fuel pump went on that at the gas station. I drove in, filled up and the fuel pump went, just like that. The ford was my nicest driving vehicle.
Steve Lawrence
Member
My 2010 GMC van is on its 6th fuel pump. GM has picked up the bill each time including tows even after the warranty. Fuel pump was dying every 18 months. I think they've finally got a better fuel pump for us cuz it has been a few years since this issue first appeared. Now we are dealing with the computer. Such fun.
Cleanworks
Moderator
Wow, that's crazy. All of my vehicles are older. I don't seem to have as many problems as the new ones. It's a pain when it happens but cross my fingers, I've been pretty lucky so far.
Jim Williams
Member
Anybody know how the reliability of the Nissan vans is compared to Ford and Chevy? I have also considered just putting my machine in a trailer and buying a Tundra to pull it with.
Steve Lawrence
Member
Yeah, my 96 GMC has been in the shop way way less than my 2010. Plus gas cost 1/3 again as much to run a new van over an old one. I thought stuff was supposed to get better!
I never considered that....darn it..
Dolly Llama
Number 5
Lee Stockwell
FOJL
Hole doesn't have to be that big,locating is the hard part.
Jim Williams
Member
I wonder who the idiot was in the automotive world that thought it was a good idea to start putting the fuel pump there? WTH was wrong with putting it under the hood like Henry Ford intended?
Lee Stockwell
FOJL
Henry was against many good ideas too.
