The Dreaded Lean Code

[Xjorgeypoox]

Non ford complete fuel pump assemblies, which is the pump, regulator, EVERYTHING. Are known bad. It's a massively known common issue with replacing fuel pumps. Not even just a ford thing, any car. Fuel pumps are very precise items and Chinese crap does not work. It's very tempting to go cheap but that spectre pump will die within a year. As will any knock off crap brand. Not my opinion, its widely known to most people on this forum and mechanics. I'd sooner take my chance on a oem fuel pump assembly from a junkyard then buy a aftermarket unit.

What @PetroleumJunkie412 has suggested is a pump only, meaning you have to do some work to fit it into the OEM assembly. You re-use everything and only change the motor. He has found a MOTOR ONLY that works well if you fit it to the OEM system.

Thanks Dirtman. That makes sense.
So I would be in a better situation just replacing the fuel pump motor, or replacing the whole unit with the $700 ford unit. Makes sense...
I’ll see what she’s looking like after the fuel filter change if I get her back today. It will be today or tomorrow so I’ll be able to check live data once she’s back

 

[Dirtman]

I still INSIST you test the pump. A fuel pressure gauge is like 30 bucks and screws right onto the rail. Easy peasy. You want to check psi at idle, and either get a buddy to mash the throttle or hold it yourself and work the linkage and see the pressure at a load. Sometimes the pump can still build pressure at idle but when you open the throttle it cant deliver enough.

If the truck is still at the shop, ask them to do it. Unless they are a horrible place they probably wouldn't even charge you If they are already doing a clutch. Its literally a 2 minute job.

 

[Xjorgeypoox]

I still INSIST you test the pump. A fuel pressure gauge is like 30 bucks and screws right onto the rail. Easy peasy. You want to check psi at idle, and either get a buddy to mash the throttle or hold it yourself and work the linkage and see the pressure at a load. Sometimes the pump can still build pressure at idle but when you open the throttle it cant deliver enough.

If the truck is still at the shop, ask them to do it. Unless they are a horrible place they probably wouldn't even charge you If they are already doing a clutch. Its literally a 2 minute job.

Good to know! I’ll give them a call. If not I’ll just swing by and get a pressure tester myself... doesn’t seem too difficult.
I’ll for sure be testing the fuel pressure and then decide if I need a pump or not. I’ll post results as soon as I have them

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Non ford complete fuel pump assemblies, which is the pump, regulator, EVERYTHING. Are known bad. It's a massively known common issue with replacing fuel pumps. Not even just a ford thing, any car. Fuel pumps are very precise items and Chinese crap does not work. It's very tempting to go cheap but that spectre pump will die within a year. As will any knock off crap brand. Not my opinion, its widely known to most people on this forum and mechanics. I'd sooner take my chance on a oem fuel pump assembly from a junkyard then buy a aftermarket unit.

What @PetroleumJunkie412 has suggested is a pump only, meaning you have to do some work to fit it into the OEM assembly. You re-use everything and only change the motor. He has found a MOTOR ONLY that works well if you fit it to the OEM system.

Correct, pump only. The Kemso 340 is a japanese built race pump. Have two, both run well. Ymmv

 

[Dirtman]

Correct, pump only. The Kemso 340 is a japanese built race pump. Have two, both run well. Ymmv

Most people dont understand the difference.

JAPAN good CHINA bad.

Call me racist if you have proof I am wrong.

 

[RonD]

Most people dont understand the difference.

JAPAN good CHINA bad.

Call me racist if you have proof I am wrong.

You would be a Nationalist, not a racist with that statement, with a bit of a Sinophobia

 

[cbxer55]

A 20 year old ford pump is 100% better than a new spectre pump without question. Ford pumps can last forever which is why I don't reccomend replacing it unless it tests bad. It is not a wear item with a specific lifespan. If you replace it, you will most likely be reinstalling it within a few months when the "new" pump fails.

LOL! I put a new non-ford pump in mine January 2017. Has nearly 20,000 miles on it now. Still 62 psi idling.

 

[Dirtman]

LOL! I put a new non-ford pump in mine January 2017. Has nearly 20,000 miles on it now. Still 62 psi idling.

And what brand of duck tape do you use to cover your check engine light again?

 

[cbxer55]

And what brand of duck tape do you use to cover your check engine light again?

I don't care about that, truck runs great. It's 22 years old, who gives a damn about the CEL? I don't have to pass emissions here, so it's a dead issue. The CEL is on because I threw the EGR and it's related sensor the DPFE in the round open top file. Not much to be done there. Did the same on my Lightning. Currently, don't have anything but that code showing. No lean codes, checked yesterday. Fuel pump came from Sears, before they closed up shop in December 2016. Don't even know what brand it is, not Motorcraft.

 

[Xjorgeypoox]

Speaking of which...
my buddy has an oem b3000 fuel pump from his old 99 that he totaled. Same model year as mine. Same engine same whee base.
Are they interchangeable?

 

[Dirtman]

I don't care about that, truck runs great. It's 22 years old, who gives a damn about the CEL? I don't have to pass emissions here, so it's a dead issue. The CEL is on because I threw the EGR and it's related sensor the DPFE in the round open top file. Not much to be done there. Did the same on my Lightning. Currently, don't have anything but that code showing. No lean codes, checked yesterday. Fuel pump came from Sears, before they closed up shop in December 2016. Don't even know what brand it is, not Motorcraft.

Wrong answer. Lets try another one, how do you tighten a spark plug?

 

[RonD]

Speaking of which...
my buddy has an oem b3000 fuel pump from his old 99 that he totaled. Same model year as mine. Same engine same whee base.
Are they interchangeable?

Yes it is

 

[cbxer55]

Wrong answer. Lets try another one, how do you tighten a spark plug?

That wasn't me. That was Joe Cooper Ford. They changed the spark plugs in January 2017 while the truck was in their shop for a flash on a new computer. Truck was having bad cold starting issues. They suggested changing the plugs. The plugs I had last put in were E-3's, which didn't last 5000 miles. The new plugs did not fix the cold start issue. They suggested fuel injector cleaner. I've been putting a half gallon of E85 in the tank at every fill up ever since. No more cold start troubles.

Me, I use a torque wrench to tighten spark plugs. I've never had a plug I installed come loose.

I suggest going back to ignoring me. I thought you already were. This site is mucho better when you ignore me.

 

[cbxer55]

Delete this post. Dupe.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

A. Do not just throw a fuel pump at it, it's not worth it without testing it. B. Unless you bought a ford pump your buying a peice of garbage that WILL fail.

Ive had spectres in my 87 for a year now..just sayin.