fuel pumps

[WillyB]

I have an 88 with a 2.3l. I have replaced the inline fuel pump twice. Both times it will run for a couple of days and the pump will go out. I took off the bed and removed the pump in the tank. It's bad too. The relay seems to be working fine and I've checked the voltage at both pumps and relay and they are ok too. Could the pump in the tank being bad have caused the inline pump to go bad? Any help you guys could give would be appreciated.

 

[Mark_88]

Check your inertia switch...it's usually under the dash by the heater box...it controls the pumps and if it's wonky it could be killing the pumps...not really killing them, but disabling them...I had a wonky switch and ended up changing the fuel pump and, eventually, the engine (long story that's been covered here)...turned out to be the inertia switch...

They are inexpensive...and almost free if you go to the junkyard...

In answer to your question...yes, the pump in the tank going bad can cause the high pressure pump to run constantly...and sometimes run dry...that's not good for a pump...

 

[scotts90ranger]

Could the pump in the tank being bad have caused the inline pump to go bad?

Yes! most high pressure fuel pumps DO NOT like to suck fuel and they will go out quickly, sucking through a failed lift pump is bad...

At work we build boat engines that have a lift pump and a high pressure pump, the only times the fuel pumps go out is if they are pumping air (teeing in a trolling motor usually causes the problem) or if the thing gets bad fuel though it and gunks it up (happens a lot with the new fuel). Also we have our 525hp 6.2L supercharged engine that likes to eat fuel pumps but it uses a race pump without a lift pump and many boat manufacturers put the fuel pump too high...