2002 2500HD 8.1 questions
 

I have a 2002 gmc 2500hd with an 8.1, fairly new to me. it has 86000 miles on it. 3 questions i was hoping to get some opinions on:

1 - i noticed that the accessory belt tensioner on the passenger side bottom of the engine is pretty much touching the frame. i can't imagine this is normal, is it? do i need new motor mounts?

2 - the fuel pump gets loud when on a drive. sounds fine in the driveway but if i stop for gas 200 miles down the road it's moaning (1/4 - 3/8 tank or so). it gets quiet while i fill the tank with gas. is this my warning its time for a new fuel pump?

3 - spare tire hoist cable is ripped.... doesnt seem to be a solid consensus on an aftermarket option for this assembly. any leads on one that works and doesnt cost an arm/leg?

thank you.

Re: 2002 2500HD 8.1 questions
 

The belt tensioner almost hitting the frame sounds like something is out of whack. Belt too long? Motor mounts?

Sounds like your fuel pump is on the way out. Time to pull the bed or the tank and deal with it. Delphi or AC Delco OEM grade.

I still have the 2004 factory spare under the bed on my truck so it's well nigh unto useless. Guaranteed the cable etc is bound up tight and the only way I'm getting it off is the oxy/Mapp torch. Twenty years is well well past its' "use before this date" too. LOL

I've seen inside the bedrail, front bumper mount, and trailer hitch spare tire carriers. It seems to me they would get in my way in any of those locations.

I would be just fine with a stamped steel and J-bolt under the bed spare tire carrier like the squarebodies and a lot of other older trucks had. I've pulled several of them out with no problems after setting more than 15 years. The cables seem to be more trouble than a high maintenance woman even if you fluid film them on a regular basis.

Re: 2002 2500HD 8.1 questions
 

Thanks for the reply hatzie.

On the spare tire hoist, from what I read the 2500/3500 8-lug wheels don't work well with the aftermarket plate that holds the wheel.... Too small I guess. Sounds like they use the same plate for 6 and 8 lug wheels.

Re: 2002 2500HD 8.1 questions
 

Some type of swing out spare carrier like I've seen on SUVs might be a good fit if they can be adapted to a pickup.

Re: 2002 2500HD 8.1 questions
 

does anyone have insight on the passenger side lower tensioner? how close to the frame is acceptable for the tensioner?

i figured if the engine mounts were bad, i would hear it knock against the frame.. but i havent heard any knocking.

Re: 2002 2500HD 8.1 questions
 

Look at the frame for rub marks.
Have an assistant rev the engine once or twice and rock it back and two between Drive and Reverse with the engine at idle while you watch for how much it moves.
If the engine doesn't rock much, and the idler doesn't whack the frame, I wouldn't worry too much about how close to the frame the idler looks.