Fuel pump life?

[Jeffksf B]

So I'm at 140,000miles was thinking about what the trac might need in the near future. I've done fuel pumps in the past on other vehicles and was wondering what kinda life are people getting out of theirs. I did a search and didn't find to many topics on changing them out. I read the project seems pretty typical. Has anyone gone the route of lifting the bed off to change it? Just trying to be proactive instead of getting surprised on day with a dead truck.

Thanks Jeff.

 

[Richard L]

Early Gen1 Sport Tracs had problems with fuel pump leaks (leaked fuel pressure in the tank) which made them hard to start and often required you to cycle the ignition off and back on again to get the fuel pressure built up enough to start the engine.



If you have not had any fuel pump issues in 140K miles, I would not worry about the fuel pump unless it starts to act up.



I don't know that there is any Fuel Pump Lifetime...They are usually very reliable, but it depends a bit on your fueling habits. The pump uses the fuel in the tank to keep it cool, so if you let your fuel tank get very low and the fuel pump is not completely submerged, you can shorten the life of the pump.... Letting your fuel run low a time or two probably will not kill the pump, but the more time the pump works will not submerged probably takes a little out of the pump's life span.



...Rich

 

[EddieS'04]

Has anyone gone the route of lifting the bed off to change it?

Gen 1 Trac. It wont work. Frame and cab in the way. Tank drop only....

 

[scott degroot]

Richard L,12/11/2011 20:53 MT



The pump uses the fuel in the tank to keep it cool, so if you let your fuel tank get very low and the fuel pump is not completely submerged, you can shorten the life of the pump....

This is a common misconception. It is actually the fuel going through the pump that cools it, not the fuel surrounding it

 

[Scott Tanner]

+1 I1tech..



I have over 200,000 mi on my '02, and I have always run the tank to fumes before filling... original pump..



if it ain't broke, don't fix it... If it was going to go bad, I would think that you would hear an increase in the noise it makes...

 

[Richard L]

l1tech,

I disagree. Not a misconception! I have actually heard just the opposite...that the fuel going through the pump is not doing the majority of the cooling. Both the fuel being pumped and the fuel surrounding the submerged pump help to cool it....and the larger volume of fuel surrounding the pump absorbs far more heat then the fuel going through the pump.



In reality the fuel pump usually fails for other reasons not associated with heat. I think most electric fuel pumps fail for dirt or other contaminates that get inside or dirty filters make them work harder. Pumps that have any internal pressure regulators or internal filters also are more likely to have one of these components fail which is completely unrelated to the heat.



If you let the fuel get too low too often, you are probably going to suck up some vapor instead of liquid, as well as some of the crud in the bottom of the tank may get by the sock filter and get into the pump.



So poor mainenance and the continuous low fuel level has more potential to do damage to the pump even if cooling the pump is a minor issue.



...Rich

 

[Rodger Tellefson]

Gen 1 Trac. It wont work. Frame and cab in the way. Tank drop only....

That is why my son chose to drop the fuel tank when he replaced my fuel pump yesterday. I will do a post with pics later.

 

[Richard L]

Rodger,

Good Point! When my Ford dealer replaced the leaking pump on my 2001, they dropped the fuel tank, and I'm sure they did it the easiest way possible to save on labor for the warranty work. Since I could still drive my truck, they asked me to continue to drive it until I got below 1/4 tank then bring it in. If the fuel pump just dies, you don't have that option :grin:



I still don't see how it would be any easier to remove the bed even if you can/could get at the access cover on the tank? Jack stands, a good floor jack and a helper are all you need to get the tank down to the floor where you can syphon/pump out the remaining gas to make it easier to handle. An empty plastic tank is not that heavy.



...Rich

 

[MARVIN McINTYRE 2]

I just replaced my fuel pump in Sptember after 265,000 milles! FOR REAL FOLKS! Yes it was a total surprise when it happened one morning as I was about to go to work. Ad it just so happened that my neighbor was on his outside patio when he heard my truck trying to crank up. I thumbed a ride to work that morning and left my truck with him. He put a new one in that morning and when I got home he had it ready for me. I still have it, just so I can brag that MY ORIGINAL FORD fuel pump gave me great service for 10 YEARS!! I bought it brand spanking new in June of 2001 Aand since have only had 1 alternator, 1 tranny, and some small things replaced. I now have over 272,000 miles on my 2001!!:banana::driving::haveabeer::supercool:nline:

 

[EddieS'04]

Fuel pump quit on my '88 t-bird @ 60k miles.

I had aproxamitly 18 gallons of fuel in the tank.

A piece of plywood, floor jack and a heck of a balancing act...LOL

Wasnt' fun, though. Nieghbor had to help me get it back in place.

Found the sock came off. So it probably picked up some trash.

Tried to bench test it. All it did was hum, like it was froze up.

Got lucky it quit 10 houses from my driveway. Coasted home in nuetral...

 

[Jeffksf B]

Wow Mr. Marvyn, are you on the org. timing chain and tensioners as well?

So it sounds like I shouldn't worry about the fuel pump, probably worry more about the

tranny. Good thing I installed the drain in the pan and I drain out 3-4 qts every 20,000 miles or so.

 

[Dreman]

I had to change the fuel pump a couple of years ago on my 2003. I forget how many miles, though. Maybe 180,000? I'm at 270k right now. I think it may have been the reset switch under the dash that was bad, though, since I had to replace that, too. My fuel pump change is in the projects section.



Other than that, most of the truck is original. Original engine, tensioners, chain, coil, transmission, rear axle, water pump, alternator, fan clutch, etc. Had to change the radiator last month. Thermostat housing last summer. It's been ridiculously reliable. Heck, I think most of the light bulbs are original!

 

[Dreman]

Hey, my first double post!

 

[doug brandin]

A friend of mine had a novel approach to accessing the fuel pump. He actually cut a hole in the bed floor, changed the pump through the hole, then tacked it back in place. It was a '93 Ranger, but this should work with any truck

 

[Richard L]

dougly1,

Cutting and Welding around a fuel tank? It sounds like your friend is not too bright?



The Sport Trac's fuel access cover is located under the cabin, not the bed so cutting a hole in the composite bed won't do much good...and most people would think cutting a hole in the cabin floor is not the best option, when all you need to do is disconnect the fuel filler neck, some hoses and just drop the tank. If the tank is full, you can use a floor jack (you can rent one) and you will need a friend or two to help....so you might need a couple of 6-packs of Bud...:grin:



Why is everyone trying to make this such a difficult problem?? Yes it is not the easiest thing to do on a vehicle, but cutting holes in the floor or removing the bed only makes the job harder than just simply dropping the tank.



...Rich

 

[Rodger Tellefson]

My fuel pump lasted 10 yrs. & over 174k. The instructions that came with my new one said to put the vehicle up on ramps (you could ust jack stands); then lower the fuel tank using a floor jack. The instructions also suggested to replace the strainer attached to the bottom of the fuel pump, clean out the fuel tank and replace the fuel filter (which I did). [see my post on Children With Benefits which is the same thing as using ramps & floor jack only a little higher]