shudders then dies?
 

I was driving my tahoe a little hard yesterday about 75 for 2 hours on the freeway when all of a sudden the old girl (217k miles) starts shuddering real hard and I dont know whats going on, so I pull over. The truck then shudders and dies. I try starting it up a few times and give it a few minutes. Then she starts and im on my way again this time doing 55. then it happens again.

My first thought was the transmission. BUT, why is my car engine dying? she runs, then shudders, then dies. I just went out front and checked the oil and looked around and tried to pull codes, got none! I started her up and she shuddered again and died!

Hopefully, one of you guys knows because I have no idea!

Thanks for any input, i am lost!

Re: shudders then dies?
 

also when she shudders she shakes you can feel those cylinders trying to move, you can hear em, its not metalic but the truck is trying to run.

Re: shudders then dies?
 

Plugged fuel filter? Runs. Crap plugs up filter. Dies... crap settles out... runs a little bit, crap gets stirred up and plugs line again...

Fuel pump dying?

Re: shudders then dies?
 

i changed the fuel filter, no more shudder but still dies. guess i am on to the pump.

Re: shudders then dies?
 

Pumps are expensive. Don't just swap it. Check the fuel pressure. I think a cheap fuel pressure gauge is only like $10-15. There's a port you screw it onto and you'll know for 100% sure. I think it's supposed to be around 60psi? Been a few years since I've done mine. Also, it should have that PSI running... AND hold it when it is shut off. Mine wasn't holding when it was shut off, so it started hard.

Don't cheap out on the pump. Delphi or Delco only. The aftermarket ones have been known to fail in 6 months or less. Check gmpartsdirect.com and ebay for the best prices on the GM pumps. If it is your pump, this is a job you definitely don't want to do twice in the same year!

Re: shudders then dies?
 

okay i will try to test the pressure.

Re: shudders then dies?
 

still working on it, thanks for the leads guys.

Re: shudders then dies?
 

Did ya get it going again?

Re: shudders then dies?
 

It was the pump!

It was not that hard if a change either. I am not much of a mechanic so this was a little intimidating to me. But I tried it and really it wasn't that bad. My advice for anyone trying this is to fully remove the gas evaporator I broke a small line on it and believe me you could not see this line no matter how curled up you get! Also fully drain the tank I tried my best but couldn't it was manageable but it would have easier fully empty. All In all I saved at least 500 doing it myself so I'm pretty dang pleased thanks for the advice and help guys!