Fuel Filter causing fuel pump failure?
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Fuel Filter causing fuel pump failure?
I have a 2004 F250 w/76000 miles. It was losing power and throwing a p0171 and p0174 codes. I took it to the dealer and they asked if I had ever replaced the fuel filter. I had not, they called back and said that the dirty fuel filter damaged the fuel pump and it will cost 1100 dollars to replace the fuel pump. Does this seem legit?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Texas
If a bad fuel pump is all you got after never changing your fuel filters then I'd say you're lucky. 6.0 injectors can be finicky when you starve them for fuel or don't take care and get them clean fuel and oil. It could have been much worse.
Stop by the 6.0 diesel section and read up on how to change your fuel filters (you have 2) and make sure you start doing that every 15,000 miles or so. Changing oil is important also. Learn the difference in good filters and "will fit" filters.
Stop by the 6.0 diesel section and read up on how to change your fuel filters (you have 2) and make sure you start doing that every 15,000 miles or so. Changing oil is important also. Learn the difference in good filters and "will fit" filters.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Texas
No need to apologize. That's what I get for jumping to conclusions. Not changing the fuel filters in a diesel motor fits your story, not changing the fuel filter in a 5.4 doesn't make near as much sense in terms of killing the fuel pump. Recommended change is around 50k on those, right? 76 shouldn't be enough to kill the pump unless you've repeatedly bought some bad gas. I'll shut up now and let the guys who know more about the 5.4 chime in.
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From: Burnsville, MN
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I'm going to call BS. A fuel pump, pumps a given volume. Some have a return for unused fuel from injectors. The injectors would have been blocked long before the fuel pump would have gone out from too much back pressure. And it the filter was that bad/blocked how did the truck even move under its own power, should have been starved for fuel, once again before the pump would have gone out.
Do you drive around alot with low fuel? Heat is the killler of fuel pumps, they are cooled by fuel in the tank, low fuel, low cooling.
Do you drive around alot with low fuel? Heat is the killler of fuel pumps, they are cooled by fuel in the tank, low fuel, low cooling.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Corvallis, OR
Change the filter yourself and see if it goes away. If it doesn't, get some CRC MAF sensor cleaner and follow the instructions to clean your MAF sensor, according to this link that is a common cause of those codes:
Ford P0171 & P0174 Lean Codes
Ford P0171 & P0174 Lean Codes
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 199
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From: Southeastern Michigan
Most fuel pumps are located in the gas tanks on late model vehicles, they actually use the large portions of fuel to dissipate heat from the pump.
If you've run for long periods of time with low fuel it will overheat. Heat will destroy these pumps. Low fuel will also cause problems when debri's floating in the tank clogs the pickup.
If you've run for long periods of time with low fuel it will overheat. Heat will destroy these pumps. Low fuel will also cause problems when debri's floating in the tank clogs the pickup.
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Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Stephensville WI
Yes, dirty filters can kill an electronic fuel pump. It all depends on how clogged the filters are and how long you ran with them. Partially clogged fuel filters can also damage your engine, causing it to run lean and burn valves and pistons (in extreme cases).
Not sure if the $1100 bill is too much, but you could certainly call around and ask other shops what they would charge. Keep in mind the pump is in the tank and not very easy to get at.
Make sure you get the old parts back, just to verify that things were actually changed.
Not sure if the $1100 bill is too much, but you could certainly call around and ask other shops what they would charge. Keep in mind the pump is in the tank and not very easy to get at.
Make sure you get the old parts back, just to verify that things were actually changed.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 41
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From: eastern Montana
I dropped the tank and replaced the entire fuel pump and gauge sender assembly recently in my 1999 F250 super duty wi V10 engine. Cost for parts was $400 from Ford. If your parts costs are similar, they would be burning you around $700 for labor.
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Thanks for all of the input. I already swapped out the MAF for a new one after I cleaned it numerous times so that wasn't the issue. I was going to do the filter swap myself but I had already told the dealer to go ahead and swap it so that was $55.00 parts and labor. It was $110.00 for the inital check engine light diganostic. Since I really didn't want to get into dropping the tank I told the dealer to go ahead and do the work. The Fuel Pump was around $680.00 with $220.00 for labor. I made sure to check the bolts on the fuel tank straps just to be sure they in fact dropped the tank. So long story short. Make sure you change your fuel filter ever 15000 miles or so.
