Gotta love living in the rust belt!

J Hamilton · Oct 24, 2023

Coming back from a tractor show this weekend, I started smelling a strong odor of gas coming from my truck. Thought it might be a fuel line. everything was dry, but still a strong odor. Finally got a light and mirror to look around the fuel pump, and it's rusted bad and wet with fuel. Lifted the bed off tonight to get to it. Gonna be fun to get the lock ring loose! Truck is an 04 Silverado 2500HD

Steve Metcalfe · Oct 24, 2023

Ive dealt with those rusty things many times. Plenty of penetrating lube and a chisel between the pump and retaining ring until ring is broke free then start rotating the ring. Will need new ring along with pump.

rusty6 · Oct 24, 2023

I had a hole rusted right through the side of the gas tank on my 97 Blazer a few years back. Theres space between the tank and frame that just can't be reached with a pressure washer and mud just sits there and holds moisture. Also rusted through the rear brake line and I was driving on two wheel brakes for a while before we figured out the problem.

Duner Wi · Oct 24, 2023

Looked at Toyota Tundra today, this is frame on drivers side, about where cab and box meet. Be gentle with the fuel lines, they seem to get a little crispy with age.

2x4 · Oct 24, 2023

My 2001 Chevy tool body bed is welded on.I cut a hole in the bed. Made an easy job of it.

JMOR · Oct 24, 2023

(quoted from post at 20:40:13 10/24/23) Coming back from a tractor show this weekend, I started smelling a strong odor of gas coming from my truck. Thought it might be a fuel line. everything was dry, but still a strong odor. Finally got a light and mirror to look around the fuel pump, and it's rusted bad and wet with fuel. Lifted the bed off tonight to get to it. Gonna be fun to get the lock ring loose! Truck is an 04 Silverado 2500HD
<img src=https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto165188.jpg>

guess you love it or else you wouldn't stay there!

Tgrasher · Oct 24, 2023

While your in thete, check your tank straps, brake lines, gas line, and frame. I had rust troubles with all those areas when my old truck was about that age. Having to drive your truck to work after the state boys lay a white coating of salt or brine on the road every other day in winter plays heck with the under side.

Jeff NWOH · Oct 25, 2023

Get yourself a lock ring tool. I've used mine several times and it works pretty well. A little rattling on the ring with an air hammer will help loosen it up. Then put the tool on and put some tension on it and give it a few whacks with a hammer on the uprights.

I'm not sur why GM couldn't spend a few bucks and make that whole deal out of stainless. I had the exact same problem on my 08 a couple years back.
Try this

Mike(NEOhio) · Oct 25, 2023

My old 99 F250, the filler neck rusted out. Check that too. I got a replacement from, no joke, fillernecks.com. It fit perfectly.

BarnyardEngineering · Oct 25, 2023

I had the same problem last year, but my truck is a 2015! Fuel pump totally rusted out on top. Rear fenders are rusted through too, and the rocker panels are not far behind.

My previous 2003 was JUST starting to show rust at 12 years when I got rid of it.

Texasmark · Oct 25, 2023

I used a 4 grinder with the thin disc....whatever you call that, to cut the ring through in one spot on a rusted tractor fuel gauge ring. Once I got it pretty much cut through I took a chisel and hammer with a good dose of penetrating oil and it came right out. Sanded the interface and lubed the new ring which went right in.

Loosehandle · Oct 25, 2023

I chopped a hole in bed and drilled locking ring into a couple of pieces, 07 Colorado. Put bedliner back in. Those little fuel line clips are a pain also.

d13series1 · Oct 25, 2023

2017 truck with 34000 miles getting all new brakes due to 'lot rot', dirt road, and winter salt. All 4 rotors and pads toasted.

caterpillar guy · Oct 25, 2023

By the looks of the tank at the pump with the rust around the neck and lock ring I would guess the tank is not far behind . I would just dump it all out and put a new tank and pump in will be less problems in the end. We have some of the same problems here in MI too. As for moving I could not put up with all the things that go bump in the night down south. Snakes, gators and such. I'll take the snow and salt.

J Hamilton · Oct 25, 2023

Tank is plastic, that is just rust stain around the top. Finally got it apart tonight. New pump and lock ring will be here tomorrow

J Hamilton · Oct 25, 2023

I've had the brake lines rust and break too, not a good feeling when the pedal goes to the floor and you don't slow down! Luckily, I was a couple miles from home with an empty trailer, so I just wemt slow on back roads and used the trailer brakes. I replaced the brake lines with stainless

J Hamilton · Oct 25, 2023

I've lived in 3 adjoining counties here, so I guess I do. I'll probably never leave this area, it's home to me. Lol

DoubleO7 · Oct 25, 2023

Just before you raise the tank into place, liberally spray the steel parts of the new pump with motorcycle chain spray lube/oil.
Or similar sticky oil/grease.

Texasmark · Feb 11, 2024

Steve Metcalfe said:
Ive dealt with those rusty things many times. Plenty of penetrating lube and a chisel between the pump and retaining ring until ring is broke free then start rotating the ring. Will need new ring along with pump.

comment posted below

Texasmark · Feb 11, 2024

Duner Wi said:
Looked at Toyota Tundra today, this is frame on drivers side, about where cab and box meet. Be gentle with the fuel lines, they seem to get a little crispy with age.

Didn't Toyota have to replace a bunch of truck frames that rusted badly because they didn't paint them prior to assembly? I vaguely recall a news clip on the subject, don't remember the exact details other than the replacement requirement.

Gotta love living in the rust belt!

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