Replacing Fuel Pump In Ford Escort: Step-By-Step Guide

If your Ford Escort is not starting, or you're struggling to keep it running, a failing fuel pump could be the problem. The electric fuel pumps on fuel-injected cars like the 2002 Ford Escort provide a constant power supply to the pump, delivering a steady flow of fuel to the engine. When the pump gets clogged or fails, the vehicle may sputter, skip, or not run at all. The good news is that you can replace the fuel pump in your 2002 Ford Escort fairly easily with some basic tools and safety precautions.

Jack up the car and disconnect the battery

Jacking up a car and disconnecting its battery are relatively simple processes that can be done without bringing your car to a mechanic or auto shop. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to do this for your 2002 Ford Escort:

Jack Up the Car:

• Find a safe place to pull over: Get off the road, away from traffic, and onto a solid, level surface like a parking lot. If you can't get off the road, pull over to the right shoulder as far off the road as possible, ensuring you're on a solid, level surface.
• Secure your vehicle: Make sure the engine is off, the car is in park, and the parking brake is engaged. If possible, block a tire diagonally from the corner you'll jack up (e.g. if jacking up the right front, block the left rear tire).
• Locate the jack and jacking points: The jack is usually stored in the trunk or under the cargo-floor cover in an SUV. Jacking points are reinforced metal ribs designed to lift the vehicle safely and are typically under the car's rocker panels, behind the front wheels, and ahead of the rear wheels. Check your owner's manual for exact locations.
• Position the jack: Most car jacks have a slot that slips onto the jack point's reinforced rib. However, your car may vary, so consult your owner's manual.
• Jack up the car: Turn the jack handle clockwise slowly until the desired tire is off the ground. Ensure the jack remains straight up and down and doesn't lean. If you're going to work under the car, use a jack stand for added safety.

Disconnect the Battery:

• Put on safety gear: Wear safety goggles and gloves to protect against acid and electrical hazards. Remove any metal jewellery to prevent accidental short circuits.
• Turn off the ignition: Ensure the ignition is in the OFF position. Do not attempt to disconnect the battery while the car is powered on.
• Locate the battery: The battery is typically under the hood, on either side of the engine bay. It's a large, block-like component with two large cables attached. If you can't find it, consult your owner's manual.
• Identify the terminals: The positive terminal is marked with a "+" sign and may have a red cover, while the negative terminal is marked with a "-" sign and often has a black cover.
• Disconnect the negative terminal first: Use a wrench to loosen the nut or bolt on the negative terminal and remove the cable. This minimises the risk of a short circuit.
• Disconnect the positive terminal: Use the same process as with the negative terminal.
• Secure the cables: Ensure the disconnected cables are secured away from the battery to prevent accidental contact.

Loosen the cold start valve connection

To loosen the cold start valve connection of your 2002 Ford Escort, follow these steps:

Firstly, open the hood of your car and locate the cold start valve at the top of the fuel distributor. You will need a small wrench to loosen this connection. Have a rag ready to absorb any fuel that may drain from the valve.

If your Ford Escort has the K-Jetronic system, you will also need to loosen the connection of the fuel feed line where it runs into the warm-up regulator. This can be done with a small wrench, and you should use a rag to soak up any spilled fuel.

Now you can move on to clamping the fuel inlet hose with line clamps, vise grips, or something similar. Ensure that this fuel line is securely clamped to prevent any fuel spillage.

At this point, you can proceed with the next steps in changing the fuel pump of your 2002 Ford Escort.

Clamp the fuel inlet hose

To clamp the fuel inlet hose of a 2002 Ford Escort, you will need small hose clamps or vise grips, as well as line clamps.

Begin by jacking up the rear of your Ford Escort and placing it on jack stands. Ensure that the jack stands are secure on solid, level ground before you begin working on the car. Open the hood and disconnect the vehicle's battery.

Now, loosen the connection of the cold start valve at the top of the fuel distributor. Use a small wrench for this step and a rag to absorb any fuel that may drain from the valve. If your Ford Escort has the K-Jetronic system, you will also need to loosen the connection of the fuel feed line where it runs into the warm-up regulator. This can be done with a small wrench, and you should use a rag to soak up any spilled fuel.

At this point, you can clamp the fuel inlet hose. Use line clamps, vise grips, or something similar to securely clamp the fuel inlet hose. Ensure that the fuel line is clamped well to prevent fuel spillage.

Once the fuel inlet hose is clamped, you can continue with the next steps of replacing the fuel pump.

Disconnect the inlet and outlet lines

To disconnect the inlet and outlet lines of the fuel pump on a 2002 Ford Escort, you will need a small wrench and a container to catch any spilled fuel.

First, clamp the fuel inlet hose with line clamps, vise grips, or something similar. Ensure that the fuel line is securely clamped to prevent fuel spillage. Place a container under the lines to catch any fuel that may spill.

Next, use your small wrench to disconnect the inlet and outlet lines from the fuel pump. Cover the ends of the lines or tape them off temporarily to prevent dirt or dust from entering the fuel system while the lines are exposed.

Once the inlet and outlet lines are disconnected, you can move on to disconnecting the electrical connections on the fuel pump.

Disconnect electrical connections and remove the old pump

Disconnecting the electrical connections and removing the old pump on a 2002 Ford Escort is a straightforward process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Disconnecting the Electrical Connections:

Before beginning any work, ensure that you have the necessary tools, such as wrenches and line clamps, and place the car on jack stands. Open the hood and disconnect the vehicle's battery. Next, loosen the connection of the cold start valve at the top of the fuel distributor using a small wrench. Use a rag to absorb any fuel that may drain from the valve. If your car has the K-Jetronic system, you will also need to loosen the connection of the fuel feed line where it runs into the warm-up regulator.

Removing the Old Fuel Pump:

Clamp the fuel inlet hose securely with line clamps to prevent fuel spillage. Now, disconnect the inlet and outlet lines from the fuel pump using a small wrench, and have a container ready to catch any spilled fuel. Cover or tape off the ends of the lines temporarily to prevent dirt or dust from entering the fuel system.

At this point, you can disconnect the electrical connections to the fuel pump. Loosen the bolt on the retaining bracket holding the fuel pump in place, and carefully slide the pump out. Place the old pump in the container used to catch fuel spillage to contain all the fuel for easy cleanup.

This process will allow you to successfully disconnect the electrical connections and remove the old fuel pump from your 2002 Ford Escort. Remember to exercise caution when working with fuel and ensure that the work area is well-ventilated.

Frequently asked questions