Carburated 5.7 Fuel Pump Troubleshooting

[allyolds68]

My 97 5.7 LX with a Quadrajet was running great last night and on the run back to the hoist it began to lose power. First kind of gradually. I backed off the throttle slowly and was able to keep it on a plane until just before I reached the hoist. It wasn't popping or backfiring. It just seemed like it was starving for fuel. Every time I tried to give it throttle it bogged but once I pulled the throttle back it would run OK but at lower and lower RPM's. Once in the hoist it idled fine. I rebuilt the carb two years ago with a updated, ethanol resistant kit. I've never run ethanol fuel in it since then (I have no knowledge on what the previous owners ran in it). I put a new fuel filter on this year and there was only a trace of water in the old filter (poured the contents of the filter in a clear container). This is only my second time out since changing the filter. Oil pressure and temp were good. No other issues.

I'm thinking it's the fuel pump but I was wondering if there is a definitive way to find out. I don't like to be a parts changer, particularly with $100 fuel pumps.

Thanks in advance

Mike

 

[Bt Doctur]

water in fuel, anti-syphon, weak fuel pump,bad camshaft(if mechanical pump)

 

[Bondo]

I put a new fuel filter on this year and there was only a trace of water in the old filter (poured the contents of the filter in a clear container).

Ayuh,.... I'd check the contents of the filter again,....

Then go from there,.....

If the filter ain't full, move backwards to the tank,...

 

[wahlejim]

Try running off of a remote tank to eliminate tank issues

 

[allyolds68]

You guys talked me back from the edge and made me check for the obvious .... the pickup screen in the tank was full of crap. It doesn't take much crap either. There's only a 1/4" screen and no sock or anything (I'm used to automotive stuff)

Thanks again

Mike.