Fuel Pump Warning
Senior Member
Joined: 11-15-2008
Posts: 1,599
From: Newburgh, NY
Member
Joined: 10-07-2009
Posts: 79
From: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
The fuel pump on our HHRs is in the fuel tank and so is the fuel filter.
So what?
I just found out the hard way that you should not drive often with less than 1/4 of a tank of gas;
During the normal?! operation of the pump, its submerged in the fuel and this keeps it cool.
If you drive much with less than a 1/4 of a tank, part of the pump is not submerged in fuel anymore and it OVERHEATS.
An overheated pump fails eventually.
Mine went out at 54,000 miles, and yes I used to drive until the Low Fuel warning came on.
The pump cost $380.00, 2hours shop labor, and a tow truck came t $660.00
with tax, the only repair I've ever needed on my 2006 2.2 LS.
So what?
I just found out the hard way that you should not drive often with less than 1/4 of a tank of gas;
During the normal?! operation of the pump, its submerged in the fuel and this keeps it cool.
If you drive much with less than a 1/4 of a tank, part of the pump is not submerged in fuel anymore and it OVERHEATS.
An overheated pump fails eventually.
Mine went out at 54,000 miles, and yes I used to drive until the Low Fuel warning came on.
The pump cost $380.00, 2hours shop labor, and a tow truck came t $660.00
with tax, the only repair I've ever needed on my 2006 2.2 LS.
Member
Joined: 10-07-2009
Posts: 79
From: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Has anybody ever taken the time to look for an access panel for the fuel pump in the HHR? Practically every other vehicle that I've checked that has an in-tank pump has had an access panel under the back seat. Granted we may have some extra plastic to remove given all of the little hidey-holes that GM put into these cars, but I would still want to think that there is an easier way than dropping the fuel tank.
Member
Joined: 07-26-2009
Posts: 31
From: Texas
[QUOTE=RaineMan;417717]Another thing I guess they don't teach drivers anymore... along with checking your fluids and air pressure levels regularly don't constantly ride around at 1/4 tank or less. It will burn your pump up.
Typically it isn't an issue for folks... as most normal people fill up when they get to 1/4 or so. However, the higher gas prices climb the more people try to "Just put $5 or $10 in." and make it by. This issue was actually first noticed during the OPEC Embargo back in the late 1970's, when people were limited to 5 or 10 gallons at a time.
Amazing... just think if "Drivers Ed" actually taught you important things about vehicles instead of how to stop for a school bus.[/QUOTE
Then it would be called "auto mechanics" instead of "drivers ed". Stopping for school busses is actually kind of important if you happen to have kids or grandkids.
Typically it isn't an issue for folks... as most normal people fill up when they get to 1/4 or so. However, the higher gas prices climb the more people try to "Just put $5 or $10 in." and make it by. This issue was actually first noticed during the OPEC Embargo back in the late 1970's, when people were limited to 5 or 10 gallons at a time.
Amazing... just think if "Drivers Ed" actually taught you important things about vehicles instead of how to stop for a school bus.[/QUOTE
Then it would be called "auto mechanics" instead of "drivers ed". Stopping for school busses is actually kind of important if you happen to have kids or grandkids.
Senior Member
Joined: 04-22-2009
Posts: 763
From: Southern California
Driving off the 'top half' is a habit I developed years ago,when I lived in cold climates. Helps keep the condensation down in cold weather, as well as now helping to cool the fuel pump in newer cars.
Senior Member
Joined: 09-11-2007
Posts: 1,379
From: Palm Bay, Florida
I usually fill up around 1/2 tank level except when I'm on a road trip. I have only had the low fuel light come on once after driving from Opal Va to Manning SC, stopping in Holly Springs NC. One the road I can drive ~450 miles or more on a tank full.
The fuel pump in the tank is a screwy idea IMHO.
The fuel pump in the tank is a screwy idea IMHO.
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