[metalmike187]

Here's some video's.
Everything in the video is on top of the gas tank.

Charcoal Vapor Canister:

This connects to the Charcoal Vapor Canister:

- YouTube

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This is a real quick glimpse of the fuel pump:

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Screen print of fuel pump
View attachment 62466

They really did go and change the location by the time 2004 rolled around. I'm so sorry that this is where yours is at now and it's going to be a bigger pain to get to.

 

[SirTrailBlazer]

Ya, it'll be a pain, but I guess I'll know for sure just what the top of the tank looks like and know if there is any issues with it.

I want to pick up some ramps before tackling the gas tank drop. Just seems like a little bit too much yanking and pulling going on while up under there. I generally use a good floor jack and a couple jack stands, but for this I think I want to add ramps.

 

[SirTrailBlazer]

Two helpful youtube video links and a very good image (image shared by chem_man).

Symptoms and Diagnosis of a Bad Evap Vent Valve Solenoid

Evap Canister Purge Valve Solenoid Operation, Diagnosis and Testing Procedure

 

[SirTrailBlazer]

I removed the vapor canister vent valve to test it, before removing the tank. I couldn't get it off for nothing by squeezing like your supposed to. So I got a flash light to see what was up and both side connectors are broke free, see the drawing below. Can I use the connector as is? Can I replace just the connector (is in on there good and strong and not sure there is enough hose to cut it off). Or do I have to replace the whole hose?

I tested the vapor canister vent valve and I think it intermittent/bad. It only closes/opens reliably in one position. If you spin to different positions sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Also, not sure if this is normal, but when it does close and you blow on it, it won't open back up when you remove electricity until you stop blowing - like the pressure is keeping it open - not sure if that is normal or not.

vapor canister vent valve:

vapor canister vent valve connection:

 

[chem_man]

I would replace the EVAP vent valve based on your testing/observations.

As far as the connector goes, I would say use it as it and secure it in place using a zip tie or two. Also, smear some dielectric compound on the rubber sealing part of the connector to weatherproof it a little better and to keep it from welding itself to the new vent valve.

Good Luck!

(as an aside, a new EVAP vent valve connector from rockauto.com will cost between $10 - $20 depending on brand. your local parts store will be double that).

 

[SirTrailBlazer]

New ACDelco part ordered. I snipped the pieces off the connector that were no longer doing anything and here's a couple picks of what it looks like now. The big made nubs that do the holding are still there on both sides. Not sure if you can tell or not in the pictures.

 

[SirTrailBlazer]

So, now that the vapor canister vent valve is off, shouldn't I be able to use a compressor and send air into the gas tank to see if it blows out the hose that connects to the vapor canister vent valve? If so, If I got a good stream of air wouldn't that verify that the vapor charcoal canister isn't plugged up? Or am I way off here?

I don't think there would be a fire hazard as long as the compressor was keep a ways away from the gas tank fill tube.

 

[chem_man]

Even if you get a good stream of air, that will not tell you if the EVAP charcoal canister's charcoal is saturated. If it were plugged, I imagine you would get some kind of a DTC to indicate that.

Saturated charcoal is the problem. This has nothing to do with airflow through the system.

 

[SirTrailBlazer]

Even if you get a good stream of air, that will not tell you if the EVAP charcoal canister's charcoal is saturated. If it were plugged, I imagine you would get some kind of a DTC to indicate that.

Saturated charcoal is the problem. This has nothing to do with airflow through the system.

I was under the impression the soaked charcoal is what would cause the canister to plug up. Hmm, I guess I'm back to dropping the tank to check if the charcoal canister is saturated with gas.

 

[chem_man]

I understand your thinking but I'm not sure that the charcoal in the charcoal canisters will swell that much if it gets saturated.

 

[SirTrailBlazer]

I understand your thinking but I'm not sure that the charcoal in the charcoal canisters will swell that much if it gets saturated.

Well, if I drop the tank I guess I'll know for sure what everything looks like - the good, the bad, and the ugly. Seeing those zip ties on the fuel pump I was thinking there is no way I'd drop the tank to replace the fuel pump and not do the charcoal canister while there, but I guess that's all mute if the charcoal canister gets soaked with gas.

 

[chem_man]

Moot not mute.

If you are considering replacing the fuel pump for whatever reason, go only with an ACDelco or GM Genuine fuel pump. That's the only one I can recommend. Delphi aftermarket fuel pumps have gone downhill in quality over the last handful of years.

 

[SirTrailBlazer]

Moot not mute.

If you are considering replacing the fuel pump for whatever reason, go only with an ACDelco or GM Genuine fuel pump. That's the only one I can recommend. Delphi aftermarket fuel pumps have gone downhill in quality over the last handful of years.

Funny you said that, as I was scratching my head about it. I picked up some 16,000 lb Rhino ramps today. Will probably start dropping the gas tank on Monday. I've heard good things about the Bosch fuel pumps. What's your thoughts on those? They are normally around 150 plus, but I found a seller that has them for about a $100 on sale. Gotta admit I prefer the thoughts of GM or ACDelco, but this trailblazer is starting to eat into my pocket, but at the same time getting fuel to your engine is kind of important. Just chewing on it at the moment.

 

[chem_man]

I'm not too keen on Bosch aftermarket fuel pumps, and yes, I know that Bosch is an OEM fuel pump manufacturer.

Fuel pumps for the EXT models tend to be about $75 - $100 more than the fuel pumps for the standard models.

 

[SirTrailBlazer]

I'm not too keen on Bosch aftermarket fuel pumps, and yes, I know that Bosch is an OEM fuel pump manufacturer.

Fuel pumps for the EXT models tend to be about $75 - $100 more than the fuel pumps for the standard models.

Ya, the base/ext tends seems a bit confusing when it comes to fuel pumps. The Bosch 67415 says base on RockAuto but pretty much every where else I've looked says the same fuel pump fits the 2004 ext.

 

[chem_man]

Some companies consolidate a handful of slightly different parts into a single part after X number of years. Happens all the time with oil filters as well.

 

[SirTrailBlazer]

Some companies consolidate a handful of slightly different parts into a single part after X number of years. Happens all the time with oil filters as well.

Ok, I've got everything ordered including a charcoal canister and fuel pump. Decided to order the fuel pump before dropping the tank. If the fuel pump already in it has been replaced or in great shape I'll just stow the one I got away for a rainy day or sell it. I bought the Bosch I found on sale. Seems like people who got it said it was the real deal. See what happens. I'll try to get some good pictures of the top of the tank so others with ext similar to mine will have a reference if they're wondering.

The Trailblazer saga continues

I think my wife gets a kick out of all it - she seems to like getting tools, the parts, etc. She'll help out too at times, seems to enjoy it.

 

[chem_man]

Sounds like you got a good one. I do as well. My wife is always asking me if I need a this new tool or that new tool. If I say yes, then she asks if I need more than one. Plus, she is able to see things I might miss and she likes getting greasy too!

 

[metalmike187]

I'm jealous of the both of you.

 

[SirTrailBlazer]

Today I kind of did a test run removing the gas tank. First time taking one off on a trailblazer.

The 16K Rhino ramps will raise the Golden Wildebeest up far enough to get to things easy enough.

To get the gas level in the tank down I pulled a hose off the fuel pump and jumped the fuel pump relay. I ran a hose from the fuel pump to gas cans.

I've got a couple smaller floor jacks and found a nice 1x6 piece of pine board I can use to aide in lowering the tank.

I should be dropping the tank either tomorrow or the next day perhaps.

No real rush, the fuel pump won't be here until the 18th at the earliest, could be longer.