Available since 1999, the Chevy Silverado exists in multi-platform incarnations, including light, heavy, diesel and hybrid. It won Motor Trend's Truck of the Year award in 1999, 2001 and 2007. Known as a workhorse, the Silverado comes equipped with a haul and tow mode to transport large or heavy loads. Check the Chevy Silverado fuel delivery system if the engine runs rough, stalls or cuts out while driving.
Release the Chevy Silverado's fuel delivery system's pressure. Disconnect the negative battery cable and loosen the fuel fill cap. Drape a towel over the fuel pressure Schrader valve fitting to protect from any pressurized fuel spray.
Disconnect the vacuum line from the fuel pump pressure regulator and check for fuel. Refer to the owner's manual for the line's location if you aren't sure which one it is. There shouldn't be any fuel present in the line. If there is, the engine problems are likely caused by a faulty fuel pump pressure regulator, which means the fuel is flowing back into the lines instead of into the engine and there is not enough fuel in the engine for proper function. If there is no fuel in the lines, reattach the vacuum line and continue with the fuel delivery diagnostic.
Reconnect the battery and twist off the fuel pressure test port cap. Attach a fuel pressure test gauge to the fuel pressure valve. Turn the engine on and let it idle. Check the gauge. It needs to read between 55 and 62 psi. Pressure that's too high or too low may mean the fuel pump is malfunctioning or the fuel filter is clogged.
Remove the pressure gauge. Disconnect the negative battery cable again.
Drain fuel from the fuel filter. Attach one end of a hose to the water drain on the water-in-fuel sensor. Place other end of the hose into a container approved for holding fuel. Disconnect the water-in-fuel sensor harness connector and then disconnect the fuel filter from the fuel filter and heater element housing. Disconnect the water-in-fuel sensor from the fuel filter.
Remove the fuel filter and visually check it for clogs. Reinstall the fuel filter if it is in good working order. Replace the filter if it is clogged, if it's been more than one year or more than 15,000 miles since the filter was replaced.
Clean the fuel filter and heater element housing. Check the filter for a possible problem filter seal. Coat an intact seal with clean engine oil. Connect the water-in-fuel sensor. Install the filter onto the fuel filter and heater element housing. Connect the water-in-fuel harness connector and negative battery cable.
Prime the fuel system after reinstalling or replacing the fuel filter. Pump the primer on top of the filter 30 times or until it's stiff. Start the engine and let it idle for five minutes. Visually check for any leaking fuel.
