Another "DUH!" moment for me.

Bret4207 · Dec 21, 2015

Been having problems with the 97 F350, 351 Windsor, bucking and kicking and acting like I had bad gas. Added fuel treatment, changed plugs and wires, fuel filter. Still having problems. Going up a hill the other day and I had to let off on the gas to the point I was just above an idle. Had a wild idea and hit the fuel tank switch- darn near got whiplash! The fuel gauge hasn't really worked since I got the trick and I never had any proof the rear tank even worked, so I've been running off the front tank.

Guess it works! Front tank fuel pump going bad. DUH! Well, might as well laugh at myself as cry...

JD Seller · Dec 21, 2015

Well you now know what the problem is. LOL I hope the fuel tank/pump is easy to fix. I hate having to drop the tank off to fix those darn pumps.

glennster · Dec 21, 2015

jd, its way easier to lift the bed off the truck than to drain and drop the fuel tanks. thats the way we do it here at the shop. unless if it is a utility tool box, then bite the bullet and drop the tank.

bobwny · Dec 21, 2015

that pump in the fuel tank had to be one of the worst ideas ever.

True Son · Dec 21, 2015

Yea, it's a $500 to $600 job on a 98 Cheby Z71...BTDT

Goose · Dec 21, 2015

The thing is, they're electric and electric pumps are designed to push fluid where mechanical pumps pull fluid.

RM-MN · Dec 21, 2015

There is no technical reason that the fuel line could not exit the bottom of the tank and the fuel pump installed inline. That would save us many dollars.

Tom OConnor · Dec 21, 2015

Bret,

Knowing the reputation of those pumps going bad the last truck we had with that problem we lifted the
box and cut a door in the bottom of the bed and drilled four holes and tapped them to make an access to
the pump. You might think about that if you plan on keeping that truck for a while.

jeffcat · Dec 21, 2015

I was just going to add this. My Explorer blew the pump at about 150K and again about 270K. The tank is such a trouble to get at and getting older, I just payed the $500.oo and drove off. Don't run your tank below 1/4 - 1/3 full cause the pump looses what ever lube abilities gas has and it also can get hot. Hard on the brushes. Just love it when that "sock" filter on the pump gets loaded from some crummy gas you picked up. One of my friends kids put some lawn mower clippings in his tank a couple of years ago. You can just guess where that one went!

JD Seller · Dec 21, 2015

Most of the truck around here have gooseneck hitches in them so pulling the bed is not easy either.

dzc3 · Dec 21, 2015

Cut a hole in the body above the pump. Replace pump, go to salvage yard get a piece bigger then you cut out and screw in back on.

jimg.allentown · Dec 21, 2015

Fuel pump in the tank is necessary for proper operation of the fuel injection system. Sad but true. EFI systems require a constant pressure across the injectors because they control mixture by varying the duty cycle of the injectors. Pumps not in tank cannot RELIABLY deliver a constant and accurate pressure or flow.

JRSutton · Dec 21, 2015

as long as that front tank's close to empty, it's pretty easy to remove. The back tank's usually complicated by a trailer hitch, and I could see
cutting through the bed for that one if that's the case.

but for the front tank, I'd just drop it - Plus, that way you can see all the rust holes in it and go ahead and replace it.

(actually if
it is rotted out - very good chance the rear one is too - they get more salt than the front.

Tim in OR · Dec 21, 2015

On my old 69 gmc, I put a pressure switch on the fuel line between the fuel pump and carburetor. I then hooked it to a power supply and idiot light. I now know when the saddle tanks (with no gauge) run dry. There is enough fuel in the carburetor to run it while I switch tanks.
Tim in OR

VicS · Dec 21, 2015

My old 89 Bronco had the pump just ahead of the fuel tank. Bolted to the inside of the frame. Guess it cost .25c more.

Don-Wi · Dec 22, 2015

When I got my 95 f250a couple years ago, the front tank was just replaced and the rear tank leaked if it was over 1/2 full. All of a sudden, the from taco was emptying out quicker and the rear tank rooted out on the bottom. I'd run it dry and by the time I was done driving, more has was leaking from the rear tank. Had to bite the bullet and have the rear tank replaced. The whole tank, pump and everything included, was around $200 from Rockauto, and another 200 for the shop to do the install for me since I didn't have time. No problems since.

Donovan from Wisconsin

Bret4207 · Dec 22, 2015

(quoted from post at 14:22:02 12/21/15) Bret,

Knowing the reputation of those pumps going bad the last truck we had with that problem we lifted the
box and cut a door in the bottom of the bed and drilled four holes and tapped them to make an access to
the pump. You might think about that if you plan on keeping that truck for a while.

Thats likely what I'll do. Did the same thing on one of my Toyotas I had problems on with the tank wiring.

ObsoElitist · Dec 22, 2015

Shame, shame, shame. You should strive to be like me, who has never made a misteak. :roll:

Another "DUH!" moment for me.

Bret4207

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JD Seller

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glennster

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bobwny

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True Son

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Goose

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RM-MN

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Tom OConnor

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jeffcat

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JD Seller

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dzc3

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jimg.allentown

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JRSutton

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Tim in OR

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VicS

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Don-Wi

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Bret4207

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ObsoElitist

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