I hope to God that this actually worked.

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
06/01/2020 at 23:26 • Filed to: Vibe 2020

My fuel pump came two days early, so I dropped whatever I was doing and charged down the driveway with my tools.

No tutorial or photo album because... It was surprisingly easy. Although the evap line or whatever (on left) was a real you-know-what to get the holding clip back on.

Then of course the moment of truth. And the car would NOT start. Panic. Turn the key. Panic. Pace back and forth in the garage. Turn the key. After many attempts, it did fire up. The idle was way too low, shuddering the vehicle. But it’s a new pump and I disconnected the battery so I suspected the car was “relearning” the correct idle and fuel flow. I drove it moderately hard for 30 minutes. Idle went back to normal quickly. Pulled back in, exhaled, not feeling totally accomplished.

I then took a break for dinner and a walk, and tried again after a few hours of sitting. With half a flick of the wrist, it immediately fired up. Idle was normal. Maybe even a hair higher than previously. Normally this would be false hope. And it IS false hope . But before this, the car hadn’t fired up on one attempt in nearly two weeks, whether the engine was hot or cold.

In conclusion, I probably didn’t fix anything but Jesus Christ gimme one fucking break, Car Gods, please!

DISCUSSION (25)

thatsmr > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
06/01/2020 at 23:31

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
06/01/2020 at 23:34

Do you have a scanner that car read fuel pressure?

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > thatsmr
06/01/2020 at 23:34

The only appropriate response if you want to take credit for what the space crab did.

thatsmr > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
06/01/2020 at 23:36

No the space crab, the monkey, the toucan, and the fox did it!

shop-teacher > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
06/01/2020 at 23:37

Sounds like pulled this one off my good man!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
06/01/2020 at 23:37

No sir

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
06/01/2020 at 23:42

You ask this of the guy who has almost exclusively ever owned pre-OBD vehicles?

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > thatsmr
06/01/2020 at 23:46

Swiper can't do much with the old pump, but hey now you don't have to take out the garbage.

RPM esq. > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
06/01/2020 at 23:48

Great success (probably)!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
06/01/2020 at 23:50

Exactly, and even the OBD-II vehicle I have -- this one here specifically -- I did the entire job with a mallet, screwdriver, and 15mm socket.

wafflesnfalafel > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
06/01/2020 at 23:51

cheers to you sir! (And I have sacrificed a chicken in your name just in case.)

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
06/01/2020 at 23:51

he has an is200 and a vibe. worth a shot

BahamaTodd > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
06/01/2020 at 23:56

Its a return less fuel system and the filter built into the fuel pump would have a lot of air space. A ll that air has nowhere to go but into the engine. Once all of that was purged you should be good.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
06/01/2020 at 23:57

Could just be air in the lines.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
06/01/2020 at 23:59

That's my prayer in a nutshell

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
06/02/2020 at 00:04

I hope it’s fixed. I hate modern cars you end up just throwing parts at them until something works.

Spaceball-Two > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
06/02/2020 at 00:05

I have one. I’ll loan it to you

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
06/02/2020 at 00:07

heres how much I’m out of date, i thought FI cars still had return lines to the tank.

atfsgeoff > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
06/02/2020 at 00:51

Yeah it takes quite a while to prime the fuel system after replacing the fuel pump on an EFI car. Don’t worry about it and be proud that you fixed it.

Tristan > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
06/02/2020 at 01:49

You wouldn't have so many problems if you'd bought a Toyota instead of a Pontiac.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Tristan
06/02/2020 at 01:51

I knew I should have bought a Matrix!

Jayvincent > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
06/02/2020 at 02:50

“ A quality job, Mr. Clarkson, if I do say so myself”

- James May

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
06/02/2020 at 07:46

Crossin’ my fingers for you buddy! Keep us apprised of the GM-badged, Toyota-based Vibe situation!

functionoverfashion > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
06/02/2020 at 12:36

TIL ...

sony1492 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
06/02/2020 at 15:38

Preach.

It seems like even decent shops have a hard time diagnosing anything without throwing some parts at it.