Can a fuel pump go bad after Expedition sitting for 6 months?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

EricF

New Member
Joined
Jun 1, 2020
Posts
1
Reaction score
0
Location
Denton, TX (76210)
Hello all, new here and thank you for this forum!

My wife's expedition has been sitting for 6 months due to some repairs needing to be made before getting it back on the road. Unfortunately, it was sitting for 6 months, and after putting a new battery in it the car just won't start.

It cranks but won't turn over. I bought some start spray and it begins to turn over so I know there's a spark. Battery is new, it cranks so it isn't the starter, start spray confirms spark is there so I assume it's a fuel issue. I checked the fuel pump relay (good), checked the wiring back where it connects near the fuel pump and when the car cranks, the voltage jumps to 11.

What has me puzzled is that it started up just fine before it sat. Reading more about this I found that she should have put fuel stabilizer in the tank.

Only thing that changed is that the battery connection wires were severely corroded so I cut the cables and bought after market terminal connections (the ones you screw the clamps onto the bare wire) and everything lights up and cranks just fine.

Could a pump go bad just by sitting? I don't hear a hum or buzzing when turning the key partially. I also rented a fuel pressure gauge and attached to the fuel rail. No reading whatsoever.

I am wondering if this is worth working on since it has 245,000 miles and in the process of attaching the fuel pressure gauge, the heater hoses to the fire wall easily crumbled and snapped off. I can't wait to work on those hoses with as little space as there is haha.

Thank you everyone!
 

Killer Ride

Full Access Members
Joined
Dec 24, 2018
Posts
143
Reaction score
44
Location
US
Yes with 245,000 it's a safe bet it's the fuel pump.Check the pressure and change the fuel filter. You can put an ear near the tank while some one turns the key should hear pumps pressurizing then stop. I just did this on mine w/185,000 mi. But mine is a retired police interceptor search and rescue vehicle. It probably Idled for days so mileage wise probably the same. Kind of a pain to drop the tank but not too bad. Pumps are pretty cheap at local auto parts. Ithink I paid $60 for mine. Hard part is the locking ring. Drop the spare if you have one way easier without it


Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 

brcknrdg Rob

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2019
Posts
46
Reaction score
5
Location
Ventura Ca
Yes with 245,000 it's a safe bet it's the fuel pump.Check the pressure and change the fuel filter. You can put an ear near the tank while some one turns the key should hear pumps pressurizing then stop. I just did this on mine w/185,000 mi. But mine is a retired police interceptor search and rescue vehicle. It probably Idled for days so mileage wise probably the same. Kind of a pain to drop the tank but not too bad. Pumps are pretty cheap at local auto parts. Ithink I paid $60 for mine. Hard part is the locking ring. Drop the spare if you have one way easier without it


Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Dropping the spare is the advice wish I had gotten before two weekends ago. Sometimes the obvious is blocked by tunnel vision. Lol

Sent from my SM-G977U using Tapatalk
 

zfifty

Full Access Members
Joined
Mar 29, 2019
Posts
193
Reaction score
121
Location
Kennesaw, Ga
Sometimes, I have found that beating on the tank can get pump going temporarily. When replacing it, draining the tank, before dropping it, can make things easier and safer also.
 

Rich_007

Full Access Members
Joined
Nov 21, 2017
Posts
86
Reaction score
24
Location
Tejas
Maybe check a few voltages before you drop the tank.
I think the power from the relay is only on a few seconds after you turn the key if the engine isn't running, so you might need a helper.
Also you can check the inertia cutoff and reset it if it has tripped. I think its on the passenger side by the kick panel on the right.

upload_2020-6-2_15-35-33.png
 

lbv150

Full Access Members
Joined
Mar 12, 2011
Posts
606
Reaction score
283
Location
Northeast
Also check for bad fuel and change the fuel filter. Basics first. Ethanol gasoline goes bad quick it hot humid climates.
 

mrphixit

Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2017
Posts
13
Reaction score
3
Location
ocala,fl
Posted twice by accident and didn’t know how to delete post. This is the result. sorry
 
Last edited:

mrphixit

Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2017
Posts
13
Reaction score
3
Location
ocala,fl
What do you mean by it begins to turn over? Does it spit and sputter a little or does it actually fire off and run for a couple seconds? If it is a fuel problem, it should fire off and run briefly when you spray starting fluid into it. Are you spraying the ether directly into the throttle body? BTW, I’ve got a 99 with 314000+ on it and it’s still running strong. Not afraid to take it on long trips whatsoever. I bought it with 175000 on it and fuel pump went out at 283000. Don’t know if the previous owner ever changed it or not. It’s been a great truck. Only time it ever left me stranded was when the fuel pump died. Ironic huh? At least yours is at home.
 

rjdelp7

2000 XLT
Joined
Nov 30, 2014
Posts
1,530
Reaction score
375
Location
NY
Is the theft light flashing? Try a different key. Was it recently in an accident? Check the fuel pump safety switch. Fuel prime lasts for 4-8sec after turning key to 'on'. Try cycling key 3 times and pause at 'on'. A blow with rubber mallet to the tank, has been known to wake up a dying fuel pump. I just did my pump. It was hard starting when cold. I had no fuel pressure at the rail. I watched a youtube video from "Astral Auto Repair -1999 Navigator fuel pump." In the video, Tim lowers only the rear of the tank. A jack is placed under the tank. The rear, 3 point strap is removed. The filler neck hose and vent line are removed. The front strap is loosened. The tank is then lowered about 10". The lines and electrical are now accessed. Once removed, the fuel module can be removed. It is held on with large a plastic ring. A large spanner wrench is needed or a pry bar and a rubber mallet(very carefully). The pump can be swapped out of the module. It has one bracket, and hose clamps. The electrical is a plug. No wires needed to be spliced. I used a Napa/Bosch N69131 kit. It's about a 3 hour job, maybe quicker on a lift.
 

VoxVeritatis

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2014
Posts
57
Reaction score
24
Location
Bellevue
Mine went out at approximately 160K. Dropped the tank and replaced it with a lifetime-warranted aftermarket from O'Reilly's. The job was time-consuming, but not difficult. Based on your confirmation that the pump has power, I agree with the advice to swap out the filter. It's cheap, straightforward, and will only improve your fuel flow once you have pressure again.
 
Top