Fuel system

CDMARTIN.

MEMBER
2001 FORD TAURUS
3.0L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
131,000 MILES

On way home from work car just died, drifted off road and started basic check off list, checked all fuses and was good, pulled spark plug wire and was good, then checked fuel rail above injectors and NO FUEL, but I hear pump kicking on for few seconds w switch turned to on, so I pulled first 3 plugs to be safe and no fuel on plugs after turning over few seconds, can pump be running but still bad? Or something else stopping completely, not even a drop out of rail and no sputter or shake, just a sudden die of car as if ignition cut off so I'm baffled, TY, Chris Martin, Virginia

1 Reply

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
12,963 POSTS

Welcome back to 2CarPros. It is very possible for the pump to be running but producing no pressure. I've had more than one where the hose from the pump itself to the top of the pump module cracked and sprayed fuel inside the fuel tank or the pulse damper failed and did the same. Sometimes you can hear this if you listen close at the fuel filler and have someone turn the key to turn the pump on. It sounds like a pressure washer inside the tank. Won't make much noise if the tank is full though.
Biggest thing in replacing the pump is getting it out as you have to drop the tank to gain access.

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