180000 miles and fuel pump finally quit

[DavidA]

Well, I've been waiting for it to happen. I even had a dream about how lucky I've been the night before.

The other day I started the car and moved it back about 10" so I could lower the hardtop onto it. With the hardtop nicely secured, I tried to move the car back to its original position, it turned over caught for about 1 revolution and died ... refused to start again. Damn, I knew it was the fuel pump so I dutifully lifted the hardtop back on the hoist to make for access to the fuel pump access holes. After deciding that I was not a good contortionist, I called both my trusted mechanic and a flatbed. Off it went.

By the way, I believe this was the first, (and hopefully last), time my car had been towed in any capacity. Overall, I have no complaints about the reliability of our Thunderbirds. "Normal" stuff like tires, (4 sets), brakes - 3 sets, and a set of replacement cops were pretty much all it's needed. I did need to replace the radiator while in Florida perhaps 6 years ago, and a couple of windshields, but that's about it. Not bad for 19 years and 180,000 miles.

Oh, I had the transmission replaces with one from a junk yard at about 30,000 miles, but that was completely my fault, so I can't blame the car for that one. Knowing all of the members who own 2002 Thunderbirds and their respective repair history, I honestly feel the 2002's and more reliable than the later ones ... by just a little bit.

[BillyL]

I think you got your money's worth from that one!

[Gobird]

Mine quite around 80,000 miles and you got more then double that. Congrats. I also agree about the 02's being a step above.

[428PI]

It sounds to me like the 2002's are the ones with the fuel pump issues.

[HKS]

Well, I've been waiting for it to happen. I even had a dream about how lucky I've been the night before.

The other day I started the car and moved it back about 10" so I could lower the hardtop onto it. With the hardtop nicely secured, I tried to move the car back to its original position, it turned over caught for about 1 revolution and died ... refused to start again. Damn, I knew it was the fuel pump so I dutifully lifted the hardtop back on the hoist to make for access to the fuel pump access holes. After deciding that I was not a good contortionist, I called both my trusted mechanic and a flatbed. Off it went.

By the way, I believe this was the first, (and hopefully last), time my car had been towed in any capacity. Overall, I have no complaints about the reliability of our Thunderbirds. "Normal" stuff like tires, (4 sets), brakes - 3 sets, and a set of replacement cops were pretty much all it's needed. I did need to replace the radiator while in Florida perhaps 6 years ago, and a couple of windshields, but that's about it. Not bad for 19 years and 180,000 miles.

Oh, I had the transmission replaces with one from a junk yard at about 30,000 miles, but that was completely my fault, so I can't blame the car for that one. Knowing all of the members who own 2002 Thunderbirds and their respective repair history, I honestly feel the 2002's and more reliable than the later ones ... by just a little bit.

David,
Are you just replacing the main pump and not the driver side (zero moving parts) jet pump?
HKS

[merlot4]

I'm sorry to hear it, David, I hope it's a straight forward repair and you're back on the road soon.

[DavidA]

David,
Are you just replacing the main pump and not the driver side (zero moving parts) jet pump?
HKS

Just the main pump.

[BirdsAndBugs]

Tuesday evening I attempted to start my grey 2003 Thunderbird. It wouldn't start. The battery seemed weak as it hadn't been run lately so I put it on the charger. On Wednesday morning it wouldn't start after being on the charger all night. So I continued to let it charge and when I got home from work on Wednesday evening I tried to start it again but had no luck. Thinking the battery probably went south I attempted to jump start the car this morning and had no success. So I called for a flatbed tow truck and had it taken to Team Ford Lincoln this morning. An hour later they called and said the battery tested ok and it was something else. They just called me a couple of minutes ago and it's a bad fuel pump. They have to order an aftermarket pump since there are no OEM ones. Total parts and 5 hours labor is going to come in around $1,400 based on the estimate.

I guess I can't really complain too much. First significant repair in 16 years even though the mileage isn't all that high on this car.

[steelblue5505]

Most of the time it is not the mileage that damages today's cars but instead it is lack of use.

Very sorry to hear of your mis-fortune but you are correct in saying if this is the worst you have experienced in 16 yrs you have indeed been fortunate.

[DavidA]

[QUOTE=BirdsAndBugs;n1067631 They have to order an aftermarket pump since there are no OEM ones. Total parts and 5 hours labor is going to come in around $1,400 based on the estimate.

I guess I can't really complain too much. First significant repair in 16 years even though the mileage isn't all that high on this car.
[/QUOTE]

Mine cost about $700 including an oil change. Grundy refunded me the $75 tow charge as it is covered in the policy.

[2K2BIRD]

Mine cost about $700 including an oil change. Grundy refunded me the $75 tow charge as it is covered in the policy.

You got a good deal, David.

Greg, your dealer seems to be gouging you pretty good on this deal as it's the highest I've heard for this repair. If you have any kind of relationship at all with them, the price can probably be negotiated down some. Also, be sure to hit them up for a military discount. Most Ford dealers seem to give one.

[007Cruiser]

They don’t call them stealerships for nothing. I avoid them whenever possible. Find an good independent shop.

[Gobird]

Mine cost $800.00 at the dealer a couple years ago. My dealer isn't a stealership.

[BirdsAndBugs]

Well it's at Team Ford here in Las Vegas. Generally I've always felt they've been pretty fair compared to the service costs on vehicles I've had at other dealerships. However, after getting some feedback from you all, I went ahead and emailed my service advisor regarding her price quote this evening.

[Welker]

I think something like "History of my car" would be the best way to go. Granted it would be a place for all sorts of input that might not matter to many until it happens to them but it would be interesting to know what you know about your car and how it might relate to other issues known or unknown. If you have it, you could report when your first COP occurred....when your first water pump failed...but, if you are like a lot of owners, you have kept every receipt for every piece of work. For example, at something like 125,500 miles, my car overheated, warnings blaring and towing to the nearest repair shop in order. Everything from the radiator to the head had to be replaced at a cost of almost $3000 dollars....but the car runs and looks great now. How about something a lot less catastrophic such as a slow leak in a tire due to some rust problem with the chrome wheel. As for me, I could write a book.