Fuel Pump question

[Iron Cowboy]

I have a 1997 F-150 130k on the clock. For the last few days one out of every 4 or 5 times I go to start it it will just turn and turn and not fire. I will turn ignition back off and on again a few times before I will hear the fuel pump run like its supposed to for a few seconds and then it fires right up. Is there anything else that could solve this besides replacing the pump? and if not what does a shop usually charge for such a job? Any idea how long one will do this before going out completely? (christmas gifts to buy )

[Scott K]

You could have a fuel pump going out, or a bad relay, or there are a few other things that can prevent the pump from powering up. If the pump is going bad, it is hard to say how long it will last, a day, a year, for ever?

As for the replacement cost, dealer part is $356, labor is 2.2 plus diag. So it depends on the labor rate in your town/shop