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Fuel pump or something else?

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Old Jan 4, 2026 | 02:44 PM
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Fuel pump or something else?

1996 f350 7.3 Before I go thru the expense and trouble of replacing my fuel pump I would like to run it by you guys first.
For about a month I've been having issues with losing power, running very rough and at times just completely dying. Often I could pull over for about 5 to 10 minutes and it would finally smooth out and be fine again for awhile, maybe an hour, maybe days, last time was about 3 weeks, ran perfectly.
This last time it completely died and had to get it towed. Pull the fuel filter out and the fuel is very low, just get an occasional bubble when spinning the starter, it's not filling up.
To me, it just doesn't sound right to be the pump, my experience in the past has been they leak or just go out altogether, not come and go like this is doing.
What's your thoughts on it?
 
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Old Jan 4, 2026 | 02:55 PM
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I would start by checking the fuel pressure while it is running and when cranking.
 
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Old Jan 4, 2026 | 03:08 PM
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Originally Posted by 97-psd
I would start by checking the fuel pressure while it is running and when cranking.
Well, you can forget running and there's nothing while starting at the Schrader
 
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Old Jan 4, 2026 | 04:47 PM
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Well, if you aren't getting fuel pumped into the bowl, then it can only be the fuel pump, lines, or selector valve. You can try plumbing the pump suction to a 5 gallon bucket to isolate a problem with the frame lines or selector valve. Or, you could go through your fuel bowl and see if any of the screens are clogged. Otherwise, it does sound like the pump.
 
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Old Jan 4, 2026 | 05:33 PM
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When my selector died, swapping between tanks wouldn't register on the fuel gauge. If all original then the pick up tubes in both tanks are broken off in there, causing issues below a 1/4 of a tank.
 
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Old Jan 5, 2026 | 05:50 AM
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Originally Posted by TheFecalFanatic
When my selector died, swapping between tanks wouldn't register on the fuel gauge. If all original then the pick up tubes in both tanks are broken off in there, causing issues below a 1/4 of a tank.
I haven't switched between tanks in several months, the rear tank has a hole in it, and it should have well over half a tank in the front.
The fuel guage went out a few months ago and I've been filling up before going 200 miles on that tank, only got 112 miles on that tank. The most I've had to put in that tank is about 12 gallons when I fill up, so I shouldn't be running low at any time.
The thing that puzzles me is how it's been an intermittent problem, anyone else ever experienced that with a mechanical fuel pump?
 
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Old Jan 5, 2026 | 06:50 AM
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From: NT, See you in the
Originally Posted by Sam Ve
I haven't switched between tanks in several months, the rear tank has a hole in it, and it should have well over half a tank in the front.
The fuel guage went out a few months ago and I've been filling up before going 200 miles on that tank, only got 112 miles on that tank. The most I've had to put in that tank is about 12 gallons when I fill up, so I shouldn't be running low at any time.
The thing that puzzles me is how it's been an intermittent problem, anyone else ever experienced that with a mechanical fuel pump?
Yep my truck had weird stumbling issues at unspecified intervals when my lift pump was going out. whether it was the pump or lines, not sure because I converted to e fuel. problem went away after that.
 
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Old Jan 5, 2026 | 12:19 PM
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If you settle on the fuel pump as the culprit, I would just swap to efuel. It is a far superior fuel delivery set up. Whether you DIY or buy a pre built kit, It is worth every penny
 
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Old Jan 5, 2026 | 12:42 PM
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https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...for-250-a.html
for around 250
 
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Old Jan 5, 2026 | 11:15 PM
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Originally Posted by TheFecalFanatic
Yep my truck had weird stumbling issues at unspecified intervals when my lift pump was going out. whether it was the pump or lines, not sure because I converted to e fuel. problem went away after that.
Thanks, I've been fooling with automotive for over 40 years and just haven't seen these symptoms before.
I do have a pump and hoses on order, so we'll see what happens. Cheaper to order than to buy local.
 
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Old Jan 6, 2026 | 06:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Sam Ve
Well, you can forget running and there's nothing while starting at the Schrader

that is definitely not ideal. Did you try running it from a bucket? You may have a bad fuel line and it is sucking air into the system.
 
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Old Feb 3, 2026 | 03:53 PM
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Just an update. I've finally got back to it, between work and the weather I've had no time for it.
I dropped the front tank today, the showerhead was completely in pieces, small pieces too. I got a couple of pieces out of the pickup tube, feel pretty sure that was the issue. Also believe those pieces floating around was causing my fuel guage issue, it works fine when plugged up and moving it up and down.
Thinking about going ahead and replacing the tank while it's off, seen a couple of rusty places inside.
 
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Old Feb 3, 2026 | 03:59 PM
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Spectra tanks from amazon have been good. Bought my rear tank there
 
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Old Feb 4, 2026 | 03:23 AM
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Originally Posted by knottyrope
Spectra tanks from amazon have been good. Bought my rear tank there
Thanks, I believe that's what I put on my 90 f250 if I remember correctly. I'll get one of those.
I'm trying to figure out what size I've got, I keep seeing the 16 gallon coming up, but I'm thinking I've got the 19 gallon. It started raining yesterday, so I'll measure the tank today.
This is what I found inside yesterday.

 
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Old Feb 4, 2026 | 04:32 AM
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Question, are the cheap showerheads on Amazon any good or is it worth it to get the more expensive Motorcraft brand?
 
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