Has anyone installed a new replacement fuel sending unit from the Fiero Store? If so, did it make the fuel gauge read accurately?

My original sending unit is surprisingly accurate but I want to replace the fuel pump before it dies. It's got about 75k miles on it and is some unknown brand aftermarket (installed by the previous owner).

While i'm there, I figured I'd do the sending unit, pulsator and sock. What are your thoughts?

Mine is an 87 GT.

I have installed one on an 86SE, works well, but there was a wiring problem with the pump ground that caused the pump to get ground through the ground straps instead of the connector. Since we had painted the tank, the pump wouldn't run. Fiero Store says they have fixed it for new units though, so you should be fine.

I will buy your old sending unit. Mine reads full all the time. Thanks

quote Originally posted by fierofan25: I will buy your old sending unit. Mine reads full all the time. Thanks

Bah! you beat me to it. lol.

quote Originally posted by donuteater306: ... I want to replace the fuel pump before it dies. It's got about 75k miles on it and is some unknown brand aftermarket (installed by the previous owner). While i'm there, I figured I'd do the sending unit, pulsator and sock. What are your thoughts?

My thoughts? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The especially applies to the fuel level sender. If there are known problems or if the pump is making noise, that's different. If you're going to do it, here are my recommendations:

Fuel pump: ACDelco or Delphi (same product, different distribution channels)
Strainer Sock: A "must replace" when doing the fuel pump. They're cheap.
Pulsator: Yes. Buy a new one. I recommend keeping the pulsator rather than just using a piece of hose.

N.B. With a newer ACDelco/Delphi fuel pump you may need to buy a new-style rubber "isolator" that goes between the pump and the pulsator. See this thread for details.

[This message has been edited by Marvin McInnis (edited 11-15-2012).]

HIGHEST BIDDER! jk, you guys are funny! Thank you all tho for the replies. I was thinking this morning that since the tank is easy to remove, I'll just keep my orig sender until it goes haywire. Even debating on whether or not to do the cleaning procedure to the resistor that one of our members has posted here. I think I'll just inspect it while it's out and replace the parts that Marvin listed...Thank you for that link btw. I had no clue about the updated isolator.

Question tho...What does the pulsator do? Is it for noise? My pump whines like a two bit whore, has for the 5 years I've owned the car. If so, I bet that either the pulsator, isolator or both are missing from my car.

quote Originally posted by donuteater306: What does the pulsator do?

It acts as a buffer (or accumulator) to provide damping between the fuel pump and the rest of the fuel system. It smooths out the fuel pressure downstream of the pulsator (which theoretically allows more precise fuel metering by the ECM), slightly reduces the load on the fuel pump, and as a result the fuel pump may be quieter. (If you're familiar with electronics, the pulsator works just like the output filter capacitor in a power supply.)

The whining you hear may be characteristic of the aftermarket pump itself, or it may be due to poor installation. In my Formula the Delphi pump is so quiet that I have to listen carefully to hear it during the 2-second pre-start "prime" cycle, and I never hear it with the engine running.

That would explain the noise. I bought this car about 6 years ago from a teenager who gave up working on it. He bought it needing a fuel pump and installed one his driveway. Said he got the pump from Kragen Auto Parts. He replaced a fuel line at the same time but after 10-15 minutes of driving, he said gas was pouring out from under the car. Turns out the guy at the auto parts store sold him vacuum line....the rubber disintegrated.

I'm assuming that he bought the cheapest pump available...tho it's lasted quite a long time +/- 75k miles. And I wouldn't be surprised if he replaced the pulsator with the hose that came with the pump and reused the sock (which is ok but not what i would do). Since I drive this car every day and don't wanna press my luck, I'm ready to replace this pump and related parts with a good ole Delco.