2001 F150 Supercab 4x4 5.4 engine
It must have been the bragging about only replacing 2 COPs, ball joints, battery (battery lasted 140K) and the other routine stuff after 176K miles that landed me where I am but signs are pointing to fuel pump after I try the easy stuff (fuel filter, check the pressure, listen for the prime, etc.) All things I have learned from reading on here. The dealership quoted a cost of $730 for the fuel pump replacement, NAPA sells it for $170 for the pump and $250-$340 for the whole unit. Background: driving home last night and she stopped accelerating and died as I moseyed onto the shoulder. Put some gas in, cranked relentlessly but didn't start. Checked the pressure valve and fuel shot out so I thought a firing issue but spraying starter fluid in the intake got it to run at home so it's a fuel delivery issue. My plan would be to drop the tank. So.......1) if everything looks OK should I just replace the pump itself and not the assembly and 2) is this something I can do alone over a weekend? Any thoughts or known write ups would be a great help. I searched but did not find anything. I always appreciate the help.

 

My Chiltons manual has a great instruction write up on this process.
I can do a replacement in about 3-4 hours by myself( I usually give everything a good cleaning too).
You may need a helping hand to lower the tank while you remove the filler hose and release the tank connections.

I think removing the rear shocks on these trucks is harder to do.

 

I was curious what manual to buy and had been leaning toward the Haynes so thanks for the input.

 

Chiltons 1997-2003 Ford F150, etc. Book number 26666 is the one I have.

 

you have fuel pressure, the truck wont start, so you want to replace the fuel pump?? Did i miss something? ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, how about a gauge on the fuel rail?, does it hold psi?, what is the running pressure??

 

In the original post I planned to check out the pressure and filter before jumping the gun, but if there are other items to check for I'm all ears.

 

Did you trip the fuel shutoff? I believe its behind the pass kick panel...Someone elase can chime in
Rich

 

BTW, are there any trouble codes?
Sometimes faulty sensors also produce conditions like you mentioned in the first post.
Also, when replacing any electical parts sensors, etc.
It is a good practice to remove the negative battery cable to shut off the computer.
This will cause the computer to relearn installed parts.
This is just another thought for you.

 

No trouble codes.

 

You can do it! I replaced three last year(mine, neighbors, and daughters cavalier) My F150 I dropped the tank, my neighbors F150 we unbolted the bed, slid it back, I think his was easier( always easier standing up) It appears you have read up on this subject, and are headed in the right direction. The Haynes manual troubleshooting section lists 15 items it could be, but since it runs when you put starter fluid in it, it should not be electrical.
1. Plugged fuel filter ( no pressure if its plugged)
2. Water in fuel
(when you pushed the schrader valve was it gas or water)
3. Fuel Pump Relay
4. Fuel Pressure ( Haynes gives you procedures to test pressures)
5. Dirty or Plugged Injectors.

These were not in order as listed in the manual.

Let us know.
I looked on NAPA, take your VIN # to get the right one.

 

Moto57 that's great input. I'll be digging into it this weekend. My father in law swears by Seafoam so maybe I'll put that in or some Heet to see if water was the issue, but it smelled like gas coming from the Schrader valve. Napa had a list of about 15 different scenarios for the fuel pump (bed, wheelbase, vin #, etc.) I may have to have a blueprint of the truck! I'll let you guys know how it went after this weekend.

 

Well I couldnt wait to at least see what the problem could be so I got the pressure tester, a Haynes manual, and a fuel filter.
First I checked the pressure: Nothing, as in zero.
So I listened to hear the fuel pump prime with my wife turning to the on position: Nothing.
I had her turn it over while I banged on the tank: Nothing.
I checked the fuse: OK.
I checked the shut off by the passenger kick panel: wasn't popped up (I assume it pops up when it is activated as the button on top had no give at all.)
I changed the fuel filter: Still wouldn't start.
Unless I have missed anything it appears as if instead of prepping a room for an upcoming baby (first) I'll be changing the fuel pump. My wife is ecstatic.

 

Good job checking all those things, instead of just throwing money at it!
Congrats on the upcoming arrival! Tell the wife you are fixing the truck just for her and the new baby, wouldn't want her to get stuck anywhere!
( but then again I am divorced, so don't tell her that last one!)

 

No prime when turning the key=fuel pump replacement

they're easy,assuming you know what you're doing. i vote for removing the bed.

 

just a tidbit of info, if you remove the bed, you can get directly to the fuel pump, w/o having to lower the tank