How difficult to replace fuel pump?

[Dan66]

I posted about occassional hard starts on my recently-purchased '96 XLT, and someone advised me to listen for the fuel pump to kick in before the engine starts to crank. It was great advice, but I'm still having the problem every couple of days. When it doesn't start, I don't hear the pump doing what it should. It just makes a feeble bump - not an electronic hum. So, am I correct in assuming it needs to be replaced?

I'm fairly handy with my '66 Mustang, but have virtually no mechanical experience on newer cars. Is replacing the fuel pump something I can do myself? What is the procedure and about how much will a new pump cost me?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[DeRocha]

It could be the pump, but you'd really need to put a fuel pressure gauge on the fuel rail shrader valve to see if your getting sufficient pressure.. Look in the maint link in my sig line for other good info on the fuel system.

 

[budwich]

try replacing or swapping the fuel pump relay also. The contacts on it may be "ohmic" reducing the "juice" to the pump resulting in not being able to give you full pressure. Changing a pump isn't fun but is readily doable with persistence and some swearing...

 

[BuffaloXplorer]

A good fuel pressure tester can be purchased at any Autozone for about $30. I bought one from eBay and sold it when i was done with it and got back my money. It's one of those tools you shouldn't need when you buy a new vehicle, which i did.

Anyway, replacing the pump requires that you drain, release & lower the tank, R & R the pump, and put it all back together again. Sounds easy, but i paid $300-400 to do this as i was uncertain of my capabilities at the time.

 

[Dan66]

Draining and lowering the tank? No thanks! I've got a trust-worthy mechanic I'll pay a visit to. I'll have to explain the sound I'm hearing (because it of course won't do it when I need it to), and mention all the things you guys have listed. He may be familiar with the problem...