LUVTruck.com

I recently bought an '82 LUV that was sitting for a couple of years. I've changed the sparkplugs and checked the fluid. Put a couple of gallons of gas in the tank and tried to turn the engine over. It will run for a second or two with starter fluid, but won't keep running. Without starter fluid it turns over but never catches.
I got the Haynes manual and tried to trace the fuel route. That's when I discovered that the fuel pump and filter are at the tank. I assumed the pump was at the engine and was going to drop a line directly from the pump to a gas can. I had loosened a couple lines to check them and there was always old gas (not the stuff I had just put in) in the lines. So, I think my fuel pump is out.
I've never dealt with a fuel pump before. Is there some way to check that it's the pump? How difficult is the pump to change? Do I need to prime the pump in some way before it'll start pumping?
Any help would be gratefully appreciated. I'm pretty handy, but fuel systems (esp. this complex) just baffle me. Thanks!

I thought '82 had a mechanical pump?

If it's an electric in line, make sure it is getting power first. Have some one turn the key while you check the power line with a tester. If not, then the wiree or relay could be bad. If it has power, then probably the pump.

I'd get yourself an actual dealer service manual off ebay to start.

have you changed the fuel filter since it has been sitting around? It could be clogged, espically after what you said about old gas. Old gas is nasty with clogging fuel lines.

I had a van that sat and had old gas in the lines. I'm not sure if this is the "right" way to do it, but I hooked up a blower to my air compressor, sprayed carb cleaner in my lines, then blew them out with 120psi.

I suggest first trying to unclog all your lines, changing the fuel filter, then trying it again. If still nothing, try applying power directly to the fuel pump and see if it makes a humming sound (if you have a spare 12v battery or DC power supply). If thats still good, then check fuel pump relay. Mine fuel pump relay went out just last week.

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-1979 LUV 4x4

i recently had problems similar, after changing fuel pump and filter i got an air compressor and blew out the fuel lines and fixed the problem about 3 inches of broke down line came squirting out

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I'm one more LUV away from divorce! at least i don't have to worry about her taking them

Thanks for the suggestions.
I tried to change out the fuel filter (by the gas tank) but the ends were too big on the new filter. I was able to blow through the original filter very easily, so i don't think it's the filter.
The gas that was in the filter was pretty dark so I think that the gas may have gone bad. I got the series 12 shop manual and can't for the life of me find a mechanical fuel pump. It's supposed to be under the distributor, but without removing it i don't see anything under it.
Just to be sure, I checked the YOM on the door and that says feb. 81, so the truck may actually be an '81 (I was told it was an '82). Was the '81 fuel pump in a different spot?
This is driving me crazy! I want to attach a short piece of line from the fuel pump inlet side to some fresh gas in a gascan so that I can verify that it's the pump and/or relay that is out, but I can't find the pump! if anybody with an '81 or'82 can verify where the pump is (and maybe a picture) I would be extremely grateful.
Thanks.

on my '80 model it is on the frame near the tank but don't know about the 81