Frustration

I am resorting to the auto forums now. I have a 95 explorer. Fuel pump went last spring, changed it. Fuel pump went out again in January, changed it. And now it has gone out AGAIN!!! Any ideas why? Everytime it goes out, If i pound the tank with a hammer the truck will stay idling, but as soon as i stop pounding it slowly dies.

Welcome to the forum!

Have you been checking the fuel pressure both before replacing the pump and after to make sure the pump is the problem and not something else? Also did you carefully inspect the electrical connection to the pump to make sure you don't have a damaged, loose, or corroded contact in the connector? Have you replaced the fuel filter? Have you gone with the same brand of pump each time? Maybe you need to return the pump, get your money back, and go with a different brand. Before returning your money though the store will likely want you to confirm that you've verified it is not some other issue such as mentioned above.

-Rod

I have changed the fuel filter but I have not been checking the pressure. I did notice a week or so before it the pump went out that on warm days if i woul run it and drive it for 30 min or more and then come back out and drive elsewhere it would start and barely idle and almost die....

What do you think.....

On those days where after you had driven it it would start, barely idle and almost die did it run fine if you opened up the throttle? If so, that would suggest to me a vacuum leak, there are plenty of sources of those. Low fuel pressure in a vehicle with an electric fuel pump would often result in an okay idle but lack of sufficient fuel at higher rpms. The pounding of the fuel tank is interested though, and would suggest the pump is suspect. However, unless the brand you are using is just complete junk, I would wonder if you have a connection issue that is contributing to the pumps not getting sufficient current and therefore acting like they are failing.

-Rod

ya, it would idle like crap but once i got it in drive it would drive and run fine and then idle fine after driving it like on block, but it only did that it seemed if it was warmer outside and i would start it withiin an hour of just shutting it off. if i would let it sit for 2or more hours it would start and idle fine.Do you think vacuum leak? Could a vacuum leak contribute to the pump going out?

I will replace the pump and check my connections. Then check my vacuum lines......

Since checking for vacuum leaks is free (is there an echo here?) yes, I would still check for leaks. I would then check the readings over temp of the coolant temp sensor and intake air temp sensor.

-Rod