Replaced my fuel pump. Again. Delphi. Lasted about 18 months. Went with a Delphi. Again.
Before this becomes an indictment of the Delphi pumps, I need to point out a few things.
It was one of the check valves failing. The pump was still working, I just had long crank syndrome. It was likely the one in the regulator on top of the pump, which is replaceable, but once you go that far to get to it...
The last time I did not drain the tank and make sure it was clean. This time I completely emptied the tank and wiped it out thoroughly. There was a fair amount of gritty sediment in there — not excessive, but noticeable. BTW, Delphi states that 21% of the fuel pumps returned for warranty failed because the tank wasn't cleaned sufficiently before installation.
The filter at the foot of the pump was not attached when I pulled out the old pump. There's no way to tell when it came off, but that means the fuel intake on the pump was an open port to grit that would keep a check valve from operating correctly. Since I began having the long crank rather suddenly after a pretty bumpy off-road session, maybe it was knocked loose then.
In other news, last week my driver's seat seemed to get "loose" and making squeeching (louder than a squeak, not quite a screech) sounds. Turns out the left front hole in the seat frame for the stud that attaches the slide/tilt bracket had fatigued and broken out entirely. There was no support at that corner for any up or down movement, and the metal edges were making the sounds as they rubbed together.
It ought to be welded, but I don't, and didn't have ready access to a couple of friends that do. So instead I cut a piece of scrap steel the same width as the inner lip of the seat frame that would extend well beyond the break in each direction front to back. It's effectively a large washer that now acts as a clamp. I left the broken piece in as gap filler (and so I wouldn't lose it.)
Time will tell, but it's working great now — seat is solid and no noise — so until I can get it welded, or replace the seat or maybe forever, it will do.