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ronaz01's avatar
ronaz01
Explorer
Jul 08, 2015

Ford Fuel pump rant

It's been a while since I've been on the forum and using our rig as well. Financial and personal problems along with my neglect are some problems. I went to start the RV back in April and of course it took a while. It did start and ran but when I tried to start it again it wouldn't I came back a few hours later and after several cranks it started. My neighbor sad fuel pump and I told him that I had it changed once already.

My neglect contributed to the problem and also the bad fuel pumps Ford sells. I researched the internet and other forums and suggestions were to replace filter. I did and the problem existed. It started to get way to hot to work on it so I left it alone for a while and decided to call for quotes at various dealers.

The first time in 2008 it cost me $1500. Some of the quotes I got now are $800+- One dealer told me $1500 and blatantly admitted that the pumps only last 7-8 years!. I told him that I treat my gas and he said it didn't matter I asked how come so much and he told me the pump is $500 and the rest labor. Another dealer told me the pump is only about $150.

I guess I am going to learn how to drop the tank. I have read where it may be possible to cut an access in the floor to be able to get to the pump without dropping the tank. Sorry for the rant.
  • Ron, so .... you're going to try and drop your RV's Ford chassis 55 gallon tank?

    How you going to empty it first .... and what are you going to empty it into? After you empty it into something, are you going to throw all the gas away, or somehow pump the gas from it's temporary container back into the tank? Of course all this has to be done ultra-safely.

    The above questions/issues are why I'll raid the piggy tank and have a repair shop do it if/when ever needed. Those issues are also why I recommend putting the best new fuel pump money can buy back in so you never have to do it again.

    I participated in a another forum discussion about in-tank RV fuel pumps - in which I tried to make the point that truck chassis manufacturers should install dual fuel pumps inside the tanks so that the chance of one failing and letting you down a long ways from home would be zero. Sadly, I didn't get very far with my logic in that discussion.
  • Thanks for the info carringb. I have a motorcycle jack I think would be able to hold the tank. I examined it while I was replacing the filer to see what I need to remove. Looks like 6 bolts and two straps. Then disconnect all electrical and plumbing and replace if needed. I HATE E10. I have had to clean more carbs on my bikes and ATV than I should now I treat everything. Had to clean the carb and tank on my Honda Genny and will probably have to do the RV genny too. $65 beats the hell out of $500. I guess that guy must have been smoking something.
  • Fuel pumps don't last forever in any car. A good replacement will last longer than a cheap replacement. Sitting is worse than driving. E10 is worse than pure gas (both increase moisture content of the fuel, which is the true killer)

    A new Bosch (OEM) fuel pump is $65 from Rock Auto. It shouldn't be more than a 2-hour job for a competent shop. Or you could buy a harbor freight transmission lift and do it in the driveway. If you do cut a hole to make replacements even easier, an bargain-priced pump is $20.

    FWIW - It seems the Delphi pumps have a shorter life than the Bosch pumps. The airtex pumps sometimes don't work out of the box but cost nearly as much as an OEM unit.