Fuel Pump Reinstall Issue

**fiftford** · 04-05-2020

I have a 2000 Grand Prix GT. The gas gauge quit working so I pulled the pump and replaced the sending unit. Problem is, the fuel pump doesn't want to go back in place. It doesn't want to seat far enough to get the snap ring back in. I have the pump tab/indent lined up but it just doesn't want to go down far enough. Is there some trick that I'm missing? Don't want to break anything. Thanks.

**BrandonHall10** · 04-05-2020

Did you lube up the o-ring? It fits in there pretty tight. Takes a fair amount of force even when it's lubed. Going in dry is going to be nearly impossible.

**Scottydoggs** · 04-05-2020

if the o rings not lubed up it will pop out of place when the pump get pushed down into place, then it will have some side to side movement, letting you know the o ring is not there.

once lubed you feel it pop in good. pump wont move at all. put the locking ring or snap ring in while holding the pump down the whole time. its gonna want to push back up if you let it. this is where a second persons hand came come in handy.

**fiftford** · 04-05-2020

Thanks guys! I did lube it up but just a very light coating. Will hit it a little heavier and give it another shot. Thanks again!

**Scottydoggs** · 04-05-2020

dont be to shy with the lube. most use petroleum jelly, ive used grease. oil wont cut it.

**Scottydoggs** · 04-05-2020

you can also lube the metal ring in the tank where you can see the o ring sits in when installed.

**fiftford** · 04-05-2020

Good to know. I was using oil. The new sending unit came with a sleeve type gasket instead of an o-ring. It was pretty thick compared to the stock o-ring so that may be part of the problem. I ordered a new o-ring and snap ring. Picking them up this afternoon.

**Turbocharged400sbc** · 04-05-2020

the sleeve gasket is the seal for the screw down sending unit retainer. plastic tank ****.

you will have to swap the lid overto the new pump/bucket as the shape andlayout at the seal/retaining ring area isnt the same

you would be better to look the part number of the unit for the year prior to yours/later than yours....your at the steel to plastic rotomolded tank changeover and the higher end/sales models got the plastic tanks phased in first

the metal ring setup dates back a looooong way and the screw on was way easier for the assembly line/service

**fiftford** · 04-06-2020

Man, you guys weren't kidding about using a fair amount of force to keep it from popping back up. So, I ditched the sleeve gasket which I should've done in the first place. Got a new o-ring from O'Reilly's. Lubed everything up really well, fought it like hell and got the retaining ring in. Hooked it all up and running again. It seems like it shouldn't take that much force and I could've used that third hand Scottydogs... but it's all good

Thanks for all the reply's.