I have a 2002 F250 7.3 that has gone through about 8 fuel pumps. Replaced the screen and tested the sending unit. The sending unit is fine and it still happens. Ive used both generic and Ford fuel pumps and they work for a while then crash. The gas reading is not dependable sometimes it is accurate and other times it is not so I go by mileage now. Most recently I replaced it with a ford pump and it has run for about 2 weeks and today it died again.
I can hear the pump try to engage when I turn the key but nothing when i crank it.. If I spray fluid I can get it started but then it quickly dies...Anyone have similar problems?

 

How odd, I'm curious what it is. Go through what you checked to determine it was the pump. What did you check, replace?

 

8 fuel pumps?! Give us a bit more details about the truck and what's happening. Are you positive it's the pump? I am no expert, but I would be looking at a lot of other things before I replaced another pump.

 

There has to be a short or something somewhere.

 

If your pump is bad and you replace it you should hook a pressure gauge to see if you have another issue. I could see the regulator being hung open or closed that could possibly cause premature failure esspecialy if you've done the intank mods.

 

Welcome to FTE.
There is filter socks in your tank and those have been known to clog and prevent fuel from getting to the pump.I am wonderring if you have not starved the pumps?
8 pumps is alot in that short of time.

 

Quit using the starting fluid! You can damage more than you bargain for with that stuff.

 

The first symptoms were running out of gas with 1/4 a tank. It would crank with gas and run horrible and eventually even out. We replaced the fuel filter every time it did this and eventually it wouldnt crank back up.
Our mechanic looked at it and said it was the fuel pump that was out so we replaced it and the fuel filter every time.
The next time the gas ran out after it had been correct for a while on the gauge it wouldnt start again. We replaced the pump and filter again and it was back up and running. We started searching out problems and found the screen near the sending unit was broken so we replaced that. It did fine for a while but eventually the same thing only this time we didnt run out of gas. Finally we got tired of exchanging the aftermarket pumps and purchased a ford pump. It did it again and ran out of gas with over 1/4 of a tank so we tested the sending unit which was fine and replaced a part in the steering column. The reason for the steering column is that you can take the key out with it running etc. but it has been like this for years.
We thought maybe the steering column problem was cycling the fuel pump a lot more times than normal wearing the pump out. The fuel pump makes a grinding noise after it takes a dive when you turn on the ignition.

Purchased the truck used but have had it for 3 years with no issues.. Hope this answers your questions.. Im not very experienced with working on trucks but Im trying ..

 

There are two screens in the mixing chamber ( the white round plastic part on the sending unit ) in the fuel tank. Those screens clog and prevent the fuel from reaching the pump. if the pump runs dry it will damage the pump.


Edit............http://www.guzzle7pt3.com/hutch.php ..............check this modification out most of us have done this to our trucks

 

Do you have a pre pump filter? One that you can see through, if not then it is a must in my book to install one. I think when you buy a new fuel pump it states in the instructions to install one and if you dont it will void your warrenty on the pump.

Also you might have a short somewhere that is causing the pumps to go bad. I would also check all the wiring and make sure nothing is chaffing.

 

Those mixing chamber screens have to be clogged up or something for the pump to make those grinding noises.

 

Grinding noise sounds kinda like a pump cavitating. Where are you? I bet Dan is right about the screens.

 

North Houston area in Texas..

 

I have got to split a hair here.
Please state you ran out of diesel or ran out of fuel. These trucks do not run on gas (gasoline).

I am in agreement with Kwikkordead.
You also need to install a fuel gauge so you will know what the pressure is. If the mechanic diagnosed the pump failures without using a pressure gauge he made a bad (questionable) decision. I use the Airtek E2236 fuel pump.
I believe the fuel pickup foot has fallen apart and your screens are in bad shape and need to be replaced by the hutch mod. My .02

 

To clarify the truck has only ever used diesel and is not modified at all. When I previously referred to fuel it was diesel and it has never accidentally had gasoline put in in the tank. I dont know about testing the pressure on the fuel line just that outside of the truck each pump will fail to function. Ill have to debate that with him tomorrow validate.
Currently working on the implementation of the hutch modification will be complete sometime tomorrow.. Hopefully that is the answer..Thankyou very much for your help it is much appreciated!