As the title states I've got a 07 tahoe with a bad sending unit, throwing a code for the unit and the gas gauge is all over the place. I'm going to try and tackle this myself (Does anybody know of any good write ups?) but was wondering if I should just change the 80 sensor/sending unit or go for the whole thing while I'm in there? 88k miles on the clock.

For those who have done this how hard is it WITHOUT a lift?

 

Since you're dropping the tank, replace EVERYTHING. Since your pump still works, you should run the tank as empty as you can comfortably go. You'll need a floor jack and a furniture dolly to roll the tank out from under the truck. The truck should have about 2' of clearance from the ground to the running board/frame (whichever is lower) on jackstands. If your floor jack is low enough, put it under the furniture dolly so you can simply drop the tank onto the dolly to roll it out.

Replace the pump with an A/C Delco pump, not the shitty chinese Airtex option.

PS: Difficulty is inversely dependent on your determination. Get a Haynes manual or purchase an ALLDATA single vehicle subscription as they will help immensely.

 

Thanks so much. Couple follow up questions:

Is the AC delco unit I can buy at autozone the same as the ac delco (OEM)unit I buy at the dealership (It is significantly less).

Do you have any opinions on the hatch method? Requires no dropping of the tank, and allows access if I screw something up.

How are AC delco and Delphi still related? Google it 10 times and youll get 10 different answers. Are the delphi units any good they run about 100 dollars cheaper.

THanks
Owen

 

delco and delphi = same ... i forgot who own who.. GM vehicles come with Delphi parts.

if its the same part number, its the same part!


not sure about the other method, but Ive drop these tanks on about 10 suvs already all the way back to the OBBS. its 2 bolts on the straps, and replace the entire sending unit so you do the job once. takes me about 2hrs if that.

 

I haven't used the hatch method on one of the new trucks, but all the other SUVs that had hatches it was easier to drop the tank (Land Rover, in particular).