strange fuel press., comments needed
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: SE Texas
strange fuel press., comments needed
I have SPA digital gauges and my fuel press. since install has been about 58-60 at idle , 53-55 under accelleration and about 56-58 cruising on hiway.
Well, I got in it today to leave work and at starting idle it was at 40 psi. slow drove out of work (1/2mile or so) with the press fluct between 38-40. Hit hiway and it would go down to 34-35. I was going to stop and get a new filter (old one only 100 miles or so) but it gradually started getting back to normal.
Should I look at a new pump? Comments and suggestions welcome.
Wes
Well, I got in it today to leave work and at starting idle it was at 40 psi. slow drove out of work (1/2mile or so) with the press fluct between 38-40. Hit hiway and it would go down to 34-35. I was going to stop and get a new filter (old one only 100 miles or so) but it gradually started getting back to normal.
Should I look at a new pump? Comments and suggestions welcome.
Wes
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: SE Texas
I talked to my mech. today (no press. probs today) and he says yes the pump is most likely going south. I do have an extended warranty but it expires in about 400 miles, yes 400. I just had a claim and after the rash of cr@p they gave me for the hydro booster (12 days to decide coverage and had an inspector out) I am sure they will want to see it failing. My luck is it will happen in 401 miles. If so, I am going to do some fuel mods. Time to start printing them out, i guess.
Wes
Wes
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,892
Likes: 2
From: Middle Tennessee
Agreed, most likely the pump heading south. They don't wear out with time though. How many miles? Also, could you have air in the lines and where is your sending unit plumbed in at? How old are your batts? Poor batts or charging will result in poor pressure as the pump cannot do it's job.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: SE Texas
75.5K on the OD. Air, probably so, but not for long. Sending unit on the back of the filter housing. Batts are 3 months old, motorcraft. I do have a elec. drain but it shows to come up to full charge after a minute or two of idle and run, by the wonderful battery picture gauge thing. The needle is usually at the bottom left corner of the battery symbol and drops to below the white line but not the red (??) when cranking after sitting a bit (10-12 hours). It does crank ok though, not extremely slow but could be better.
Wes
Wes
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,892
Likes: 2
From: Middle Tennessee
So the batts are new. The alternator must be working as it comes up. The pump may be suspect although I think it should last longer. My batts are going out but it does show a good charge after start. Any drain is bad, especially with new batts. There neeeds to be none. That will bite you eventually. You have a good tap in site for the FP so I don't think the problem is there.
Check your wiring to the UVC for a short, causing a voltage drop. Also, if all checks out well, and the PSI just isn't up to snuff after eliminating air infiltration potential, that pump is done.
BTW, how is the truck running? Any change aside from the gauge reading?
Check your wiring to the UVC for a short, causing a voltage drop. Also, if all checks out well, and the PSI just isn't up to snuff after eliminating air infiltration potential, that pump is done.
BTW, how is the truck running? Any change aside from the gauge reading?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: SE Texas
UVC? Is that the harness over the valve cover?
I did not see the drop yesterday,l but on the way to work this morning it started out at 54-55 and would dip to 52-53 while driving and did not come up past 55, even at idle(normally 60).
Truck runs OK and idles well but does seem a bit sluggish and I did notice some hesitation or rather something like a miss while cruising with the Cruise Control on 67, but that was only when I was having the near 40 psi a couple of days ago. Mileage has fallen 1.5-2.5 mPG but I thought that was just from going from 265s to 295s here recently, but I was not expecting that much drop.
I have disconnected the three newest add ons to see if maybe they were shorted but no change in the drawdown (tow mirrors,brake controller,gauges). Time permitting I am going in deep to figure it out soon, before she goes down.
Wes
I did not see the drop yesterday,l but on the way to work this morning it started out at 54-55 and would dip to 52-53 while driving and did not come up past 55, even at idle(normally 60).
Truck runs OK and idles well but does seem a bit sluggish and I did notice some hesitation or rather something like a miss while cruising with the Cruise Control on 67, but that was only when I was having the near 40 psi a couple of days ago. Mileage has fallen 1.5-2.5 mPG but I thought that was just from going from 265s to 295s here recently, but I was not expecting that much drop.
I have disconnected the three newest add ons to see if maybe they were shorted but no change in the drawdown (tow mirrors,brake controller,gauges). Time permitting I am going in deep to figure it out soon, before she goes down.
Wes
Trending Topics
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,892
Likes: 2
From: Middle Tennessee
Have you done any in tank mods? Your pump is a likely culprit but perhaps you are having issues at the pickup foot in the tank or in the mixing chamber area. I thought most folks averaged at least 100k on the stock pumps. A new pump wouldn't hurt, but it would suck if the problem persisted.
I would suggest jumping the pump and doing a volume or PSI test but your problem is intermittant and thus will not likely present itself. Besides, you're seeing the reading at the bowl anyway. So I would say pump. If that doesn't fix er, filter, in tank pickup problem, or air in system. Lastly and unlikely, an intermittant short in power supply to the pump.
I would suggest jumping the pump and doing a volume or PSI test but your problem is intermittant and thus will not likely present itself. Besides, you're seeing the reading at the bowl anyway. So I would say pump. If that doesn't fix er, filter, in tank pickup problem, or air in system. Lastly and unlikely, an intermittant short in power supply to the pump.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: SE Texas
I will be printing out the fuel system mods this afternoon (hutch or harpoon or whatever) that deal with the tank and the fuel lines along the frame rail. I am not quite ready to tackle the lines on the motor (i.e.removing the stock filter system and going to a regulated retunr and feeding the heads from the rear) but am planning to do so. I am about to go ahead and price the new pump.
Any recommendations or pointers?
Wes
Any recommendations or pointers?
Wes
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: SE Texas
Update
Well, I thought maybe it was just a filter issue. I replaced the filter with a wix and had the highest readings to date (64-65 psi) and no dips all day. However, on the way home this evening it took the dip to 40 psi again. I am not sure if it was after I hit a bump on the road or what but it did drop. dang it.
I did stop by the NAPA and bought 3' of the good fuel line so maybe I can get around to getting the air out.
Wes
I did stop by the NAPA and bought 3' of the good fuel line so maybe I can get around to getting the air out.
Wes
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,892
Likes: 2
From: Middle Tennessee
I'm really leaning toward the pump now. Especially if you plan on keeping the truck. The tank mods may help but if they don't, they will be done when you do get another pump.
BTW, when you drain your filter and or replace it, what are you seeing? Black, lots of water? Anything?
BTW, when you drain your filter and or replace it, what are you seeing? Black, lots of water? Anything?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: SE Texas
no water, Was not thinking and drained in to a black pan, but did not see a bunch of junk. Do the factory filters flow from the inside out or viceversa. the out side of the replaced filter was not dark. Might cut it open. Regardless, the wix filter is definately freer flowing than the Fram/microgard.
Here is a strange side note, the 6.0s have a drain plug on the pump, or at least what my buddy said was the pump. Allen head removes a little plug and you should have seen the crap and water that came out. Looked like a teaspoon of sand and another of water, no lie. He said there were 2 or 3 filters on the 6.0s.
I priced the pump at Orielly and will price motorcraft at the dealer tomorrow. Any suggestions?
Wes
Here is a strange side note, the 6.0s have a drain plug on the pump, or at least what my buddy said was the pump. Allen head removes a little plug and you should have seen the crap and water that came out. Looked like a teaspoon of sand and another of water, no lie. He said there were 2 or 3 filters on the 6.0s.
I priced the pump at Orielly and will price motorcraft at the dealer tomorrow. Any suggestions?
Wes
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,892
Likes: 2
From: Middle Tennessee
Originally Posted by SSGG
I priced the pump at Orielly and will price motorcraft at the dealer tomorrow. Any suggestions?
Wes
Wes
This is from one of the site sponsors for the motorcraft part.
Last edited by Tenn01PSD350; Sep 22, 2006 at 08:57 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: SE Texas
I saw that one and I also checked another sponsor that was about $6 cheaper. I would like some input from anyone with an aftermarket pump. I am also considering the whole pre pump filter setup and the pre filter lift pump.
Thanks Tenn,
Wes
Thanks Tenn,
Wes
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: SE Texas
Well, I thought I would lay down an update on the X. I decided to do the hutch mod this weekend and it went well. I thimk I may have ridded myself of 2 gremlins at once. I started by disconnecting both batts and then dropped the tank. Man, even close to empty (4 gals) it was still heavy, the shroud especially. Of course, there was nearly 5 pounds or so of dirt trapped in it. Anyway, the mod went well and I have yet to see any significant fuel preesure drop since. I hope it stays that way. I had also been having some Batt drain issues with a 6-12 hour sit. Not any more and it starts faster and idles a bit smoother and quieter(cept for #7).
wes
wes