MuddyAxles
MuddyAxles~a van man~
I am now using the fourth fuel pump since I bought this vehicle in August 2006. Fortunately I have only had to pay for one pump and the rest have failed "quickly" enough so as to come under warranty.
The first pump failed the winter before last, winter 2008-09 during a cold spell. I thought I may have had moisture build-up and super treated with isopropyl alcohol (6-12 oz. or 16 oz. bottles in a 31-gallon tank). When that didn't help and symptoms grew worse even after a short spell above freezing, I took it to the dealer.
All they could find was like a fine "dust" of rust which may have clogged the pick-up filter (they used to be called a sock, but aren't anything like they used to be). Let's call it the pre-filter. Even that filter didn't seem to be coated with anything. The rust came from the joint where Quigley installed a new end in the tank, shortening it to allow for the transfer case.
The dealer had the inside end of the tank coated to prevent further rusting. At that time I had about 43,000 miles on the vehicle. In April '09 we went on vacation and experienced the same symptoms. Not wanting to be at the mercy of strangers, we limped along across Oklahoma until we reached friends where he and I replaced the pump yet again, after a dealer check revealed that, under moderate to heavy acceleration, there was a drop in fuel pressure.
That brings us up to this year. Now I am up th about 55,000 miles on the vehicle. In March I started having the same problems again, much less severe when the tank was full, more so when below half. I got the tank to below 1/4 and took it to the dealer again.
They tried to order a sensing module of some kind, but it didn't arrive and then they learned it would be on back order for weeks, if not months. The symptoms were gone when they replaced the fuel pump yet again, and now the second time under warranty.
I don't run my tank dry. In fact, I rarely let it get below 1/2 to 1/3. When I changed the pump, there was not a speck of anything on the floor of the tank. I don't get dirty fuel, rarely fill from a can, and don't drain the can when I do. 90+% of the gasoline I buy is from the same regionally branded stations and contain NO ethanol.
I do use a fuel additive...well, I did until this last pump failure. I believe I get slightly better performance and mileage using it...maybe 0.25 mpg or so. It is an oil based additive which cleans, emulsifies water, and lubricates any moving parts in the system. It is recommended by the manufacturer for both gasoline and diesel engines.
The product is normally used at 0.33 ounce per gallon of gasoline, but label directions claim it can be used at two or three times that rate for serious problem fuel systems, which I never do since mine is nearly new and the stuff isn't cheap, about $30.00/gal.
I have used this product in various Fords with various types of pressurized fuel systems without trouble, although all of those vehicles pre-dated anything produced which might be E-85 compatible. I'm just thinking...
I still have the pump I pulled in Oklahoma, the dealer only needed the receipt. I would be interested in exactly what is happening to make these pumps fail, especially since I had used the same gasoline brand and fuel additive for over two years and 45,000 miles. I am really thinking the additive was not the problem.
Does anyone have a clue, heard or seen anything similar, or know of incompatibility of additive products and the later fuel pumps? If so, please jump in because I, as well as my small-town Ford dealer, am baffled by this one. Don't ever say never, or always, 'cause there's always something like this to mess that all up.
The first pump failed the winter before last, winter 2008-09 during a cold spell. I thought I may have had moisture build-up and super treated with isopropyl alcohol (6-12 oz. or 16 oz. bottles in a 31-gallon tank). When that didn't help and symptoms grew worse even after a short spell above freezing, I took it to the dealer.
All they could find was like a fine "dust" of rust which may have clogged the pick-up filter (they used to be called a sock, but aren't anything like they used to be). Let's call it the pre-filter. Even that filter didn't seem to be coated with anything. The rust came from the joint where Quigley installed a new end in the tank, shortening it to allow for the transfer case.
The dealer had the inside end of the tank coated to prevent further rusting. At that time I had about 43,000 miles on the vehicle. In April '09 we went on vacation and experienced the same symptoms. Not wanting to be at the mercy of strangers, we limped along across Oklahoma until we reached friends where he and I replaced the pump yet again, after a dealer check revealed that, under moderate to heavy acceleration, there was a drop in fuel pressure.
That brings us up to this year. Now I am up th about 55,000 miles on the vehicle. In March I started having the same problems again, much less severe when the tank was full, more so when below half. I got the tank to below 1/4 and took it to the dealer again.
They tried to order a sensing module of some kind, but it didn't arrive and then they learned it would be on back order for weeks, if not months. The symptoms were gone when they replaced the fuel pump yet again, and now the second time under warranty.
I don't run my tank dry. In fact, I rarely let it get below 1/2 to 1/3. When I changed the pump, there was not a speck of anything on the floor of the tank. I don't get dirty fuel, rarely fill from a can, and don't drain the can when I do. 90+% of the gasoline I buy is from the same regionally branded stations and contain NO ethanol.
I do use a fuel additive...well, I did until this last pump failure. I believe I get slightly better performance and mileage using it...maybe 0.25 mpg or so. It is an oil based additive which cleans, emulsifies water, and lubricates any moving parts in the system. It is recommended by the manufacturer for both gasoline and diesel engines.
The product is normally used at 0.33 ounce per gallon of gasoline, but label directions claim it can be used at two or three times that rate for serious problem fuel systems, which I never do since mine is nearly new and the stuff isn't cheap, about $30.00/gal.
I have used this product in various Fords with various types of pressurized fuel systems without trouble, although all of those vehicles pre-dated anything produced which might be E-85 compatible. I'm just thinking...
I still have the pump I pulled in Oklahoma, the dealer only needed the receipt. I would be interested in exactly what is happening to make these pumps fail, especially since I had used the same gasoline brand and fuel additive for over two years and 45,000 miles. I am really thinking the additive was not the problem.
Does anyone have a clue, heard or seen anything similar, or know of incompatibility of additive products and the later fuel pumps? If so, please jump in because I, as well as my small-town Ford dealer, am baffled by this one. Don't ever say never, or always, 'cause there's always something like this to mess that all up.
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