Fuel Pump Problems?

[Anonymous]

I am having fuel flow problems. Specifically, my engine started, ran for about a minute, and died...Tried to restart, it ran for a few seconds, then sputtered out and died again...Now, it wont get any gas at all...Changed out the inline filter, no luck...My question is this, how do i check to see if it is the fuel pump. Do i disconnect between the filter and pump and then what do i do to see if any fuel is flowing...One thing I forgot, there was some indication of a rust looking substance in the rubber line between the filter and the metal line going back to the tank...If the pump is bad, is there one ya'll recommend, or should i just get one from Auto Zone

 

[addo]

Disconnect the outlet side of the pump, and also the low voltage wires to the coil (keep them out of the way but not shorted).

Have one person crank the car while the other catches fuel in a tin. There should be healthy small spurts out. If not, try connecting a rubber hose to the inlet side of the pump. Submerge the other end in a tin of fuel. Crank the motor again. This will reveal if the fuel pump itself is the cause, or whether the problem lies elsewhere.

A failed fuel pump usually has a ruptured diaphragm, and leaks fuel into the oil. Smell your oil to check this condition.

If you replace the fuel pump, put a generous dab of assembly lube (or, failing that, moly grease) on the rubbing area of the pump arm.

Don't forget to reconnect the wires to the coil when you're done. Ask me how I know.

Regards, Adam.

 

[MustangSix]

The line and/or the tank pickup may be blocked.

We fiddled with fuel pumps on 60Falcon's car for several hours only to eventually discover that the pickup and mesh screen were blocked by a congealed rust! We had to remove the pickup and sending unit and it took a coat hanger and a lot of digging to get it all out.

Make sure you drain the tank before removing the sending unit!

 

[addo]

And don't remove your fuel tank while parked on the lawn.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys,
Sounds somewhat simple..Im thinking for now it may be a sending unit problem based on the rusty looking stuff in the rubber line, but i will trouble shoot the pump in the morning.
Having no experience in messing with the gas tank, how do you actually get the unit out of the tank....Im not sure yet if the tank has a drain plug yet, havent looked at it ... I know i need to drain it somehow...not sure exactly how to do that...I do know how to remove the tank from within the trunk, but after that, im lost.... : And thanks for the reminder about not doing it on the yard, I just got my grass looking nice

 

[addo]

The sender unit is held in by a lock ring. As it's driven clockwise, three little wedge shapes pressed into the lock ring, bear against stops on the tank sender unit flange. This has a tightening action. To loosen it, you either get the special tool nooone has, or you tap the lock ring anticlockwise with a mallet (less "sparky" than a hammer) and flat blade screwdriver. Make sure to disconnect the fuel hose first (change out the rubber section if it's old and hard) and also the sender wire (the ruber boot just pulls off).

My preference is to change out the sender with the tank removed as it makes it easy to be sure the rubber gasket is centred in its tiny groove. Admittedly, this is more labour intensive and time consuming. If you do this with the tank in situ, you'll need to tack it there with some Blue Hylomar or other fuelproof sealant while the things are all set back together. You'll need a new sender unit gasket either way. A drain plug will be forward on the underside of the tank if it's there at all. If you have no drain plug, buy one of those cheap plastic pumps to suck the fuel into a suitable container. You could be surprised how much rusty water is under your fuel!

Regards, Adam.

 

[Anonymous]

Got it......Thanks addo. I appreciate it, and Greetings from Texas. Have the rubber mallet handy, and will tackle it in the morning.....As usual, I was going to undertake another project, but now this problem came up..Oh well, a new learning experience.