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  #1  
Old 10-06-2013, 09:51 PM
mckendrsusan mckendrsusan is offline
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Location: Farmington Hills, MI
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Need advice - 1992 SVX

I've been on and off this forum for the last several years. I have a 1992 dark green/teal SVX. I am the original owner and it has around 122,000 miles on it. I have driven it on and off since 2001 but not for the last couple of years. It needed an AC belt and tried to take it in to get that fixed and it wouldn't start or jump. After the tow the repair shop told me it was the fuel pump. He says the relay, filter and the electrical is fine when I asked him. He did say the gas was all gunky and as I said it has sat for a while. However, I had a new fuel pump put on once the last time driving it; then it didn't work and I took it back to the same shop and they put on another one. The car hasn't been driven more than 25 miles since then and now it's bad too?

I am a woman with little to no repair experience but I have studied this stuff a number of times. I just want to be sure I'm not being handed a bill of goods, so I'm looking for advice here. Can these fuel pumps just go bad sitting? And repeatedly? I do think the first one was bad, the second one ran fine and now it's bad too after less than 25 miles - it just doesn't make sense to me. I would take it back to the original repair shop and make them put in a new one again, but I think they've changed ownership and may not agree to do anything.

I was getting it ready for sale but did not plan to put much money into it, beyond that AC belt. The fuel pump repair costs I'm being quoted is in the 5-600 dollar range. I can find pumps online way cheaper than the cost they are giving me but not sure if those are reliable.

The car ran fine until the belt problem so then it sat for a couple of years. I would assume it still would run fine but this fuel pump issue has kind of thrown me for a loop. Do you think it could be sold without all these repairs - I know many of you are great at fixing these and I'm obviously not and would just have to spend a ton of money.

I have always wanted this car to go to an SVX enthusiast and was planning on listing it here once the original belt repair was made.

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

Susan
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  #2  
Old 10-06-2013, 10:18 PM
Blacky Blacky is offline
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Re: Need advice - 1992 SVX

Without it running even with the low mileage you won't get much for it. Fuel pumps do not die from sitting.

One of the main issues is probably the ancient stale gas in the tank. It's several years old and is only slightly more flammable than water.It needs to be drained. The fuel filter ($20.00 or so) will need replacing for sure. The fuel pump may or may not be dead.
When you turn on the key before the start position you should be able to hear the relay and the pump run briefly.
The fuel injectors may need cleaning but if you get it running some Techron fuel injector cleaner in a couple of tanks of gas could do the trick.
The bottom line is the car needs to be driven or at least started much more often.
Does it sit unused in a garage or is it outside in the elements?

Last edited by Blacky; 10-06-2013 at 10:25 PM.
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  #3  
Old 10-07-2013, 07:04 AM
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SVX92-97 SVX92-97 is offline
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Re: Need advice - 1992 SVX

A can of Seafoam wouldnt hurt either Sounds like a Nate specialty here
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Old 10-07-2013, 08:51 AM
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svxcess svxcess is offline
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Re: Need advice - 1992 SVX

How much gas is in the tank? If you have not filled it in a while, condensation forming on the inside of the tank could be corroding some of the electrical components, not allowing the pump to operate. Does your fuel gauge work?

Gasoline which has become unstable in the fuel lines, injectors, etc. contributes to gum and varnish deposits.

No really easy way to fix this without more information. Used to be able to drain the tank to see what was inside and flush out the fuel lines and injectors.

A PM to svxfiles may be in order, unless Nate responds first.

.
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  #5  
Old 10-07-2013, 12:17 PM
92snowmachine 92snowmachine is offline
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Re: Need advice - 1992 SVX

i haven't seen my svx pump assembly but have seen repeat fuel pump failures in other model subarus because the accumulator on the pump assembly leaks or the outlet hose from the pump leaks. this overtaxes the pump and burns it out or becomes a larger leak that will keep the car from starting even though the pump runs.
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