After several years of service, the electric fuel pump on your Ford Escape may begin to lose pressure, make unusual noises, leak fuel through the assembly or fail to provide adequate fuel flow. Fortunately, to service the pump, you do not need to lower the fuel tank as in many other vehicle models. However, you will need some special tools to replace it, which you can buy or rent from most auto parts outlets.
Open the hood and remove the relay panel cover inside the engine compartment.
Look for the fuel pump relay. The marks inside the panel cover will indicate the correct relay.
Remove the fuel pump relay.
Start the engine. The lack of fuel will stall the engine and relieve the fuel system pressure.
Replace the fuel pump relay and turn off the ignition switch. Then go to the next section.
Locate the Schrader valve at the end of the fuel rail where the fuel injectors attach. The valve will most likely have a small plastic cap that looks like the air valve on your vehicle's tires.
Remove the valve cap and connect a fuel pressure gauge equipped with a drain line.
Insert the drain line into an empty container to drain the fuel.
Open the valve on the fuel gauge and drain the fuel in the line into the container. Then close the fuel gauge valve and disconnect the gauge.
Replace the Schrader valve cap.
Disconnect the ground (black) battery cable using a wrench.
Loosen the fuel tank filler cap to relieve the pressure inside the tank.
Lift the left rear seat cushion by hand.
Lift the carpet under the seat.
Detach the access door on the floor to reach fuel pump module on the fuel tank. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Unplug the electrical connectors on the fuel pump module.
Disconnect the fuel pump module from the fuel lines using the 1/2-inch disconnect tool number 310-D005 or equivalent.
Unplug the vapor fuel line at the fuel pump module by squeezing the side tabs at the end of the fitting and pulling the line apart from the fitting.
Unscrew the fuel pump module from the fuel tank using the fuel tank sender wrench number 310-069 or equivalent.
Remove the fuel pump module and O-ring seal from the fuel tank.
Remove the old fuel pump from the module and install the new unit using a pair of slip joint pliers.
Install the fuel pump module in the tank along with a new O-ring seal. Screw the unit to the fuel tank using the fuel tank sender wrench.
Connect the vapor fuel line to the fuel pump module by pushing the line against its fitting until the locking tab snaps in place.
Connect the fuel pump lines to the fuel pump module by pushing the lines against their coupling fittings until the locking spring snaps in place.
Plug the electrical connectors to the fuel pump module.
Attach the access door using the Phillips screwdriver.
Replace the carpet.
Fold the left rear seat back into place.
Tighten the fuel tank filler cap.
Connect the ground (black) battery cable using the wrench.
