I'm looking at a 1990 F350 for sale with a diesel. Seller says it needs a fuel pump. Is there a way to rig up a electric pump or something just to start the engine to make sure its ok? I hate to buy and find out later it wasn't the fuel pump but some other problem.

 

Mark, you'll have better luck with this question down in the 6.9/7.3 IDI forum a little farther down the main page.

There are a bunch of fuel issues that could be causing trouble, and two fuel pumps. The lift pump which is located low on the passenger front of the engine can be easily bypassed with an electric pump to start the engine. Some people like to replace it with an electric pump full time, and there are a couple threads outlining which pump to use and how to do it. Many pumps (for gas engines especially) put out too much pressure and can cause issues with the injection pump if they are used.

The second fuel pump is the actual injection pump mounted on the top front of the engine. This is quite a bit more expensive to replace and takes a bit more skill, however the do wear out and typically is recommended to be replaced every 100,000 miles or so (though they can go longer without dying).

Some of the other issues could be clogged fuel lines, bad tank selector valve, clogged fuel filter, crap in the tank blocking the fuel pickup. One thing you can try is to take a clean jug of diesel, drop a piece of fuel line into it and hook it up to the lift pump and see what happens.

Can you give us a little more information? and what the seller is asking? Thanks!

 

Ok, I did post on the 6.9/7.3 IDI forum. I may bring an electric pump and a fuel jug and connect a line directly to the injector pump. I wouldn't want to buy the truck if I can't hear it run. It is 90 F350 dually with a flat bed. Interior is pretty good shape, body and flat bed looks pretty decent. Was last on the road a few months ago. Seller wants $2000 for it and is motivated to sell because they have to move so maybe it could be bought for maybe $1200-$1500.

 

I wouldn't pump unfiltered fuel into the ip. If you do make sure your jug is clean and run the pump a few seconds to flush out the lines

 

Oh yeah, good point. Temporary hose would need to go before the filter.