How To Test The Fuel Pump (2001-2004 3.0L Ford Escape)

The fuel pump output can be tested with a fuel pressure gauge. This is due to the fact that the 3.0L Ford Escape comes equipped with a Schrader valve. And it's to this valve that you and I can connect a fuel pressure test gauge to.

I'm also gonna' explain how to check a 'cranks but does not crank' condition (caused by a lack of fuel) with starting fluid.

APPLIES TO: This tutorial applies to the following vehicles:

• 3.0L Ford Escape: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004.

Symptoms Of A Bad Fuel Pump

The fuel pump can fail in one of two ways. The first type of failure is a complete failure in which the fuel pump stops sending fuel to the fuel injectors. The other type of failure is a fuel pump that's working but NOT sending enough fuel to the fuel injectors and thus provoking all kinds of performance issues.

When a fuel pump completely fails, you'll see that:

1. The engine turns over but will not start.
2. The ignition coil pack feeding spark to all 6 cylinders.
3. The PCM will still pulse (activate) all 6 fuel injectors.
4. Fuel pressure PSI is 0 PSI at the Schrader valve test port.
5. Engine starts, although momentarily, if you spray starting fluid into the throttle body and then crank the engine.

When the fuel pump is starting to fail and under-performing, you'll probably see one or more of the following symptoms:

1. Lean air/fuel mixture trouble codes.
2. Rough idle.
3. Engine starts after extended cranking.
4. Lack of power when accelerating the vehicle down the road.
5. Back-fires thru' the intake manifold when accelerating your pickup or van down the road.

Both of these conditions can be tested with a fuel pressure gauge. Alright, with this info under our belts, let's get testing.

Where To Buy A Fuel Pressure Test Gauge

You can buy a fuel pressure test gauge just about anywhere and is one of the most important tools any serious DIY'er should have in his/her tool box.

The following fuel pressure test gauge kits are pretty good deals and include the adapter to tests all 3.0L Fords:

TEST 1: Checking Fuel Pressure With A Fuel Pressure Gauge

In this section we'll use a fuel pressure test gauge to find out if the fuel pump is creating the factory specified pressure. The Schrader valve, which is the valve your fuel pressure test gauge is connected to, is located under the throttle body and on the metal fuel line that's part of the fuel injector rail. You can see this fuel line in the photo here: Location Of The Schrader Valve.

The cool thing about using a fuel pressure test gauge, to test the fuel pump's fuel pressure, is that we can find out if the fuel pump is behind the no-start condition or behind a lean condition (if your Ford starts, runs, but runs with a lack of power).

The fuel pressure specifications with the key on engine off (KOEO) is: 55-65 PSI.

NOTE: If you don't have a fuel pressure gauge, take a look at the section: Where To Buy A Fuel Pressure Test Gauge.

OK, let's get started with this test:

1. 1

   Place a shop towel around the Schrader valve. The shop towel's job is to absorb any fuel that may leak when doing step 2.
   
   To see the location of the Schrader valve, go here: Location Of The Schrader Valve.

2. 2

   Connect the fuel pressure gauge to the Schrader valve on your 3.0L Ford Escape's fuel injector rail.

3. 3

   When ready, ask your helper to cycle the key on and off several times but don't crank the engine while you observe the fuel pressure tester's gauge.
   
   Check the connection at the Schrader valve for fuel leaks and if any tighten the fuel pressure a bit more (by hand only) to eliminate them.

4. 4

   Your fuel pressure gauge should register the specified KOEO fuel pressure of 55-65 PSI if the fuel pump is OK.

Let's take a look at what your results mean:

CASE 1: If the fuel pressure gauge registered 0 PSI: This confirms that the cause of your 3.0L Ford Escape no-start problem is caused by a lack of fuel.

Now, I usually take 2 more precautions, before condemning the fuel pump as bad:

• Making sure the fuel pump inertia switch hasn't tripped (if it has tripped, then the fuel pump will not run). To see what the fuel pump inertia switch looks like, go to: Fuel Pump Inertia Switch.
• Making sure the fuel pump relay is feeding the fuel pump power (if the fuel pump relay is bad, then the fuel pump will not run).

CASE 2: If the fuel pressure gauge registered the specified fuel pressure for your vehicle's model year. This test result lets you know that the fuel pump is working and delivering enough fuel to the fuel injectors. The reason your 3.0L Ford Escape is not starting is due to another reason. The fuel pump is OK.

TEST 2: Using Starting Fluid To Confirm Lack Of Fuel

The cool thing about using starting fluid is that it's a quick way of determining if a lack of fuel is causing your vehicle not to start.

The one thing you need to keep in mind is that the starting fluid test's accuracy depends on having spark at all 6 cylinders. On the Ford Escape, this means testing at least the 3 ignition coils (that face the radiator) for spark with a spark tester. If all 3 are sparking, then you can assume that the rear 3 ignition coils are too and you can proceed with the starting fluid test.

IMPORTANT: This is a very fast and easy test but you do have to take one very important safety precaution and this is to reconnect the air intake duct after spraying starting fluid down the throttle bore (although you don't have to fasten it). This will prevent any backfire, that might occur, from scaring the heck out of you when cranking the engine.

This is what you have to do:

1. 1

   Remove the intake air duct from the throttle body. You don't have to completely remove it, since you'll have to reconnect it in one of the next steps.

2. 2

   Open the throttle plate and spray starting fluid down the bore.
   
   As a safety precaution reconnect the air duct after you have sprayed a good squirt of starting fluid (but you don't have to tighten the air duct's hose clamp).

3. 3

   Crank the engine once the air duct is back on and you're clear of the engine compartment.

4. 4

   You'll get one of two results with this test:
   
   1.) The engine will start momentarily and after a few seconds will die or.
   
   2.) The engine will only crank but not start at all.

OK, let's find out what your results mean:

CASE 1: If the engine started and ran for a few seconds. This test result tells you that the no-start problem is due to a lack of fuel.

Your next step is to check to see what the fuel pressure is with a fuel pressure test gauge. Go to: TEST 1: Checking Fuel Pressure With A Fuel Pressure Gauge.

CASE 2: The engine did not start, not even momentarily. This usually means that a lack of fuel IS NOT the reason your car is not starting.

Now, remember what I said about this test not being very accurate? Well, I suggest you do one more test and this is to check the fuel pressure with a fuel pressure test gauge. Go to: TEST 1: Checking Fuel Pressure With A Fuel Pressure Gauge.

Location Of The Schrader Valve

NOTE: The photo above is of a 2001 3.0L Ford Escape's Schrader valve.

The Schrader valve is located on the metal line that extends from the fuel injector rail. As you can see in the photo above, it's located under the upper intake manifold's throttle body. Also, the fuel line, that supplies fuel from the fuel tank, connects to this metal line.

Fuel Pump Inertia Switch

Your Ford Escape comes equipped with a safety device called a fuel pump inertia switch. When the inertia switch is jolted into action (by an impact such as your vehicle hitting another), the fuel pump is de-activated and your Ford Escape's engine is not gonna' start. It'll crank but not start, which can lead you to believe that the fuel pump is bad.

Although it's designed to activate during a severe impact caused by an automobile accident, sometimes it gets activated by less than severe impacts. This means that it's always a good idea to check and reset the inertia switch whenever testing the fuel pump.

Resetting the fuel pump inertia switch simply involves pushing down on the button located on top of the inertia switch till it bottoms out. The next step is then to crank the engine to see if it starts. If the engine now starts, then this confirms that the fuel pump inertia switch was indeed activated and had de-activated the fuel pump.

Where To Buy The Fuel Pump And Save

The fuel pump in your 3.0L Ford Escape is located inside the fuel tank. The fuel pump can be bought in any auto parts store, but I think you'll find the better price online. The following fuel pumps are pretty good deals:

Not sure if the above fuel pumps fit your particular 3.0L Ford Escape? Don't worry, once you get to the site, they'll make sure it fits by asking you the specifics of your vehicle. If it doesn't fit, they'll find you the right one.