Why the huge price disparity in these two fuel pump modules?

[AshleyQuick]

Our 01 Taurus died while driving yesterday and, as I suspected, it was the fuel pump because it wouldn't start after I pulled over. So here are two I found and I'm wondering how I can justify paying $100 more. What would you choose?

$35
https://www.ebay.com/itm/302420397302

$140
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/delphi-fuel-pump-module-assembly-fg0837/10563236-P

 

[Chris142]

You do not want a noname part. Motorcraft,delphi maybe bosch.

 

[drtyler]

Have you checked the fuel pump relay, or verified that the fuel pump is dead?

If this is a car you depend on for daily driving, I would check out Rockauto.com and look for Motorcraft or Bosch as mentioned above.

 

[Trav]

Our 01 Taurus died while driving yesterday and, as I suspected, it was the fuel pump because it wouldn't start after I pulled over. So here are two I found and I'm wondering how I can justify paying $100 more. What would you choose?

$35
https://www.ebay.com/itm/302420397302

$140
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/delphi-fuel-pump-module-assembly-fg0837/10563236-P

The one on ebay is cheap Chicom crap from some back alley sweat shop, the Delphi for AA is not bad but overpriced, it is $92 from Rock Auto.
Get a Motorcraft or Bosch if its a keeper car or requires tank removal. Make sure you get the correct pump, there seems to be a couple of variations.

 

[AshleyQuick]

Got the Delphi from Rock Auto. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[zzyzzx]

Did you connect a fuel pressure gauge to diagnose the fuel pump?

 

[AshleyQuick]

Did you connect a fuel pressure gauge to diagnose the fuel pump?

My mechanic did and I trust him.

 

[AshleyQuick]

Also, the sending unit (at a minimum) has been failing for a while now...the fuel gauge has been wildly erratic for a year at least.

 

[zzyzzx]

Also, the sending unit (at a minimum) has been failing for a while now...the fuel gauge has been wildly erratic for a year at least.

That's a hint all by itself.

 

[Dave9]

Considering the age of the vehicle, if you did not replace the fuel filter it would be a good idea to do so, UNLESS the fuel lines at the attached area are so rusted that you don't dare touch them for fear of needing the lines replaced too. While that is a ticking time bomb if they'd ever leak, at the same time that is a significant expense for a vehicle now worth little. I might coat the lines with goop to slow down rust if that looks like the situation.

 

[nthach]

The Delphi is also a Chinese module but QC and manufacturing matter more. And you also get a warranty with the Delphi as long as the filter sock has been replaced and the fuel tank is reasonably clean.

The aftermarket fuel pump suppliers harp on a “clean” tank quite a bit - the few I had to change had clean fuel and little corrosion inside the tank. But these were California cars that never saw Tahoe when road salt was being applied. in this day and age of plastic fuel tanks, the issue of ethanol-inducted rust happens less.

 

[01rangerxl]

Usually the warranty is the biggest difference between aftermarket pumps.

The $35 one is 1 year, the $140 one is lifetime.