I have a 98 GT with 55,000 miles and have had problems starting the car since I bought it last sumemr. Sometimes it takes 3-4 seconds for the car to actually start up. I did a full tune up and changed the fuel filter. It basically coughs and hesitates, BUT ALWAYS STARTS. Somtimes it starts right away (when it is warm) and sometimes it takes a good 4 seconds to finally start up. A couple of mechanics tested the pressure and said I need a new fuel pump since it was not holding pressure, but being a California emmissions pump, its gonna cost about $400 w/ installation for the stock pump. I dont know if I am losing any power because of this and dont know whether it is a smart idea to change the pump or if I would be able to keep going with just the inconvenience of the stuttering before the car starts. What do you guys think? Any experiences or opinions? Thanks for the help.
Stock Fuel Pump
- Thread starter romeof1
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Romeo, I feel your pain. I had this same exact problem right before I layed my 98 down for her slumber period during these cold and dreary days in minnesota, alright enough whining. Where are you getting the 400 from. I'm not familiar with the california emissions law but what is wrong with replacing the pump with the exact same pump. By the way, the problem is your pump, I had the same symptoms 3-5 seconds before starting, started fine when warm. The problem is that your pump can't hold the fuel pressure needed for a good start. It bleeds when it sits for awhile. When cold my pressure was at 2 psi, and when warm 31. Factory or optimal is around 32-45 I think.
You do need to get this fixed. You don't want to get stranded somewhere and all of the sudden the pump totally craps out. Then you have to pay for towing and all that other bs.
It cost me a total of $190 for a new pump and new fuel filter. Might as well change the filter while your down there. I ordered both from partsamerica.com, I would make a link but I don't know how.
As for installation, not hard but if it's your first time give yourself at least 4-6 hours. If you need help with install just let me know. I'll check back later.
peace,
kristian
You do need to get this fixed. You don't want to get stranded somewhere and all of the sudden the pump totally craps out. Then you have to pay for towing and all that other bs.
It cost me a total of $190 for a new pump and new fuel filter. Might as well change the filter while your down there. I ordered both from partsamerica.com, I would make a link but I don't know how.
As for installation, not hard but if it's your first time give yourself at least 4-6 hours. If you need help with install just let me know. I'll check back later.
peace,
kristian
Yo rome, I just checked out partsamerica.com and found a pump that is california legal it sells for $285 and around $15 for shipping. The regular pump is only $166. Question, if you install it yourself who would know what kind of pump is in it? 
Can't you just buy the regular pump, install it, and be good to go. It's not hard to install. Good luck!!
Can't you just buy the regular pump, install it, and be good to go. It's not hard to install. Good luck!!Romeo, How would anybody know what kind of fuel pump you put in your car. I'm sure if you go through your mechanic the california pump is the only route they will allow. This install is not hard to do yourself. I have zero shop experience and I was able to pull it off. All you need are jack stands, jack, couple ratchets, and maybe an extra hand. If I lived in Cali there would be no question of installing the regular fuel pump. I don't understand what the emissions have to do with the pump. Anywho, again, how would anybody know? What type of inspection do they do when your emissions are checked?
As for gains in power, none. The only thing that did happen was a confindence gainer when turning the key that it would start right away.
As for gains in power, none. The only thing that did happen was a confindence gainer when turning the key that it would start right away.
The way they knew I had a cali emmissions is by the VIN # which the dealer took down. He told me that my car had the cali emmissions installed and I would need that one. He wasnt sure if I could install a regular pump. So I dunno.... Also, did you install a stock ford pump or an aftermarket? I heard that stock is the only way to go. Thanks alot for the help
I installed a stock pump. I looked into installing a pump with increased lph (litres per hour) but none of them looked like the stock pump. I was confused on how I would install it. If it didn't look the same, then how would it fit without tank modifications. When they say the car has cali emissions, what does that all entale. If I were you I would say screw it and just install the regular pump. I still don't understand what the pump has to do with emissons. When looking at both pumps on partsamerica.com they both look the same, so I know they would both fit. I don't know man, it's up to you. I would ask around what the difference is between the two.
In the mean time; a little trick to start your car right away is this. Turn the key to the on position three times before cranking. This turns on the pump which then starts to build up pressure. Pressure is what you lose when it sits. Each time you turn the key let it sit in the on position for at least a second or two. peace.
In the mean time; a little trick to start your car right away is this. Turn the key to the on position three times before cranking. This turns on the pump which then starts to build up pressure. Pressure is what you lose when it sits. Each time you turn the key let it sit in the on position for at least a second or two. peace.
2k2fourpointsix
New Member
Forget what the dealer says, install whatever pump you desire. The fuel pump has NOTHING to do with the emissions of the vehicle.
Well I called almighty ford and the guy from the service department said he doesnt know of any differences between the pumps and he wasnt even aware that there were two pumps. The parts guys informed me that I needed cali emmisions since it might have an extra line which the reg. pump doesnt have which could cause the check engine light to come on. Kristian, if I leave the pump alone, will it eventually just die on me or is this just a minor inconvenience?
It will eventually crap out. It won't get any better, that's for sure. Check to see if there is an extra line running to the tank. It is right on the other side of your rear bumber. That is where the fuel filter is. The gas line is connected to the fuel filter. If there is two lines then wouldn't that mean that there would need to be two fuel filters. And since you just got your filter changed and they didn't charge you for two, there must only be one. Now I'm not an expert or anything even close, but if there is an extra line running from the tank doesn't it need some sort of filtration system to block the crap from getting into the engine. Just check it and if you only see one line then go ahead with the regular pump. I'll take a picture of my fuel filter and the set up to the tank this weekend so you can compare the two. If they look the same then go ahead and order the regular pump for $160. peace.
romeof1 said:
There is a difference ,not sure what , but they are different , california one is a Part # E2203M and non california is Part # E2200M on partsamerica.com , both are under 200 bucks , go on there and order you the one you need and install it yourself , its not as hard as you think , just get a repair manual , if you dont have one you can also order one of them from partsamerica.com Part #36051 , good luck , hope this info helps
