is my fuel pump going or is it something else???
 

Hey guys my car is getting harder and harder to start. It turns over fine it just takes longer for it to fire up. Sometimes when I turn my key, my fuel pump makes a different noise than usual. So I was just wondering if my Fuel pump could be going bad. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

usualy when a fuel pump is on it last "legs" it makes a high pitched whining sound. When was last time car was tuned up?? plugs, wires, fuel filter.

Sounds like a bad pump, but you really should do some testing with a pressure gauge first. it could also be a bad hose from the pump (in the tank), leaky injectors, a bad reg, etc.

Take care,
-Chris

Is the car in tip top shape as far as tune-up?, if it is, then maybe you have a pressure regulator going bad, or the pump as you have guessed, you need to take a pressure reading to determine the pump issue.

could it be the TFI?

As it gets older, it takes more and more turns to get the stang started.. I had the original one in, and my car would never start on first turn... replaced it just 4 months ago, and now it fires up (even in minus 25 degrees) after 2 turns..

but that doesn't account for the fuel pump noise difference...

Yes i just put new plugs and wires in it. Im pretty sure that it is my fuel pump, because my fuel pump is making a totaly diferent sound than it is supposed to. But how do I check the fuel pressure , I know I have to get a gauge but how do I hook it up, is it hard? And what should my fuel pressure be at?

Checking your fuel pressure is a piece of cake, here's how to do it.

On the passenger side, follow your fuel rail until you come to a valve, it has a black cap similar to a valve stem cap on a tire ,yours may have been removed, and not be there, the valve itself also looks similar to a tire valve, this is called "The Schraeder Valve"., you must remove this valve first. This is where you hook up your fuel pressure gauge.

Now!, you must relieve the pressure (38-42psi) before you can screw on the gauge, I recommend letting the car sit over night, and doing the job in the morning when you are fresh, and the car is cold and will have relieved a little pressure, wrap a few shop rags around the valve, then push the little pin in (easy does it now, safety first!) to let the fuel squirt out into the rag, if any. Then remove the valve ( a tool usually comes with the gauge). Screw on your fuel pressure gauge using teflon paste NOT tape and your ready to check your pressure.

Once again I really recommend doing this when the car is ICE COLD, I have seen a few 5.0's and garage burn to the ground because the owner was so hot (pun intended) to install his new gauge and regulator after driving the car home, by gas hitting the hot headers, and Voila! broiled mustang, not good. Good luck and try me again if you need more info.:D