We bought a 2002 Ford F150 recently, really we bought it to use it as a parts truck. But, after getting it home, we tried starting it by spraying some starter fluid into the throttle body and we got it to crank and fire. Well, it immediately died after the starter fluid was used up. Anyway, I checked the fuses, still no fuel getting to the engine. I do not hear the fuel pump engaging. So, I thought maybe I could take a plastic gas can like you would use on a boat and hook it up to the engine and run it off the can so I can troubleshoot it that way. I've done similar things on cars/trucks with a carburetor, but not with fuel injection. This is the small v-8 - 4.6 auto transmission by the way. So, I looked around on the engine to see where I could connect my fuel line that is connected to the gas can, no luck. I thought I found it when I saw what looked like a fuel line going into the intake - bad move on my part - turned out to be a coolant line going into the intake. When we removed it, it spewed green coolant straight up, what a mess. So, I did some research and I am thinking I need to somehow connect it to the fuel rails, does that sound right? Has anyone else done this? Thanks in advance...

 

It uses an in-tank fuel pump to generate about 40 psi. It's possible to connect an external pump but a new aftermarket high pressure pump costs about $100. You'd have to break in at the fuel filter on the driver's side frame rail or at the inlet to the fuel rail. Probably have to cut/damage some lines to get it connected properly.

Your next best shot might be to bang on the fuel tank while you cycle the key off and on. The pumps can get rust or crud inside and stick or the motor can have bad spots on the windings. Banging on the tank can loosen it up enough to get it spnning.

Might also be that it's just out of fuel or the PATS system is activated (flashing THEFT light) or the inerta switch has been triggered. Many possible things to check before getting wild with external pumps like one of those Youtube guys.

 

Check the fuel pressure on the fuel rail. There a schrader valve to hook the pressure gauge to. If low or no pressure, change the fuel filter. If still low or no pressure it likely needs a new fuel pump.