Found on Road, Dead...

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by Patrick Wong, Nov 9, 2009.

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  1. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

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    I'm under the impression that Ford uses a variable fuel pump
    PWM motor drive, to modulate pressure. Which causes holy hell
    when someone's trying to "current ramp" the motor power, since
    it's got hash all over the place instead of a nice clean
    brush-commutation pattern. I'm wondering if they'll find that
    the drive module was at fault rather than the pump motor itself,
    also implying that you might have been able to simply feed 12V
    power and ground to the motor and limped home with the rail pressure
    being too high but at least the engine getting gas even if it
    brought the fuel-trim way down to make up for it...
    .
    _H*
     
    #21 hobbit, Nov 10, 2009
  2. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    The fuel pump died just the other day in my sister's Taurus (my dad gave her the car when he quit driving 2 years ago). The bill = ~$900.
     
    #22 dogfriend, Nov 11, 2009
  3. amm0bob

    amm0bob Permanently Junior...

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    :pound:




    F'ked Over Rebuilt Dodge...


    Found On Road Dead...


    Fix Or Repair Daily...


    There are more...
     
    #23 amm0bob, Nov 11, 2009
  4. jadenn

    jadenn New Member

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    great idea!:cool:
     
    #24 jadenn, Nov 11, 2009
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    According to the Haynes manual (which is not necessarily definitive) the system is pretty standard. Fuel is circulated from the tank to the fuel injection system, then back to the tank. The fuel pump will operate as long as the engine is cranking or running and the PCM is receiving ignition reference pulses. If no reference pulses, the pump will shut off after 2-3 seconds. Each fuel injector is individually controlled by the PCM.

    The fuel system pressure spec at idle speed is 35-50 psi. When the vacuum hose to the pressure regulator is removed, the spec is 45-55 psi. Maximum pressure spec is 65 psi.
     
    #25 Patrick Wong, Nov 11, 2009
  6. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Found On Rubbish Dump
     
    #26 patsparks, Nov 11, 2009
  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I called the shop, let the service advisor know that I was aware MSRP of the pump was ~$450 and asked how they justified their pricing. She replied that their policy was to charge 20% over MSRP.

    At those prices, it's not obvious that dealer service is more expensive, compared to this independent. The shop was recommended by AAA, BTW.

    Edit: Attached three photos of the gas tank removal and the old pump.
     

    Attached Files:

    #27 Patrick Wong, Nov 11, 2009
  8. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    Some of the newer Fords have gone to a "returnless" system. I think that is what Hobbit is referring to. My Explorer has the same system that you describe, but later Explorers (98+ for the 4.0 engine) went to the newer system.
     
    #28 dogfriend, Nov 11, 2009
  9. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    One option is you can buy the pump from the dealer yourself and have the shop to install it.
    You already know the pump is bad.

    I have done this before just to pay the labor to do the replacement.

     
    #29 bedrock8x, Nov 11, 2009
  10. ibmindless

    ibmindless Member

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    Of course the shop is buying the part from the dealer or warehouse at a nice 10 - 20% discount or more.
     
    #30 ibmindless, Nov 11, 2009
  11. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I just picked up the car and took a look at the engine compartment. It has two fuel lines, one to deliver fuel to the fuel rail and the other to take fuel back to the tank.
    Yes, although this is like buying a steak and taking it to the restaurant...
    I'd expect the shop to pay wholesale at around 50% of MSRP. In any event, I did get a "discount" from the inflated price so I ended up paying $506 for the Ford-branded pump and $22 for the fuel filter. No charge for a gasket so I presume the pump came with a replacement.

    The car works great again...
     
    #31 Patrick Wong, Nov 11, 2009
  12. Spartane

    Spartane Member

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    Just to give equal weight to the competition:

    C ondition
    H opeless
    E ntire
    V ehicle
    R uns
    O n
    L eftover
    E ngine
    T echnology
     
    #32 Spartane, Nov 11, 2009
  13. MarinJohn

    MarinJohn Senior Member

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    My Ford needed a fuel pump replacement which I replaced myself on the side of the road back east in winter when the wind chill factor was about -30. Try getting gas on your hands at that temp.! Last American vehicle I owned. My Prius has had absolutely no major problems since I bought it late in 2003. Now THAT'S a car worth every penny.
     
    #33 MarinJohn, Nov 12, 2009
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