Replace fuel pump--now or later?

[CFrance]

Hello, I need advice from experts. I have a 2004. 5 3500 2WD DRW 48RE with 73K miles and still have the original fuel pump. After reading about pump problems on this site I have purchased an Alliant direct replacement pump as a backup.

I am planning a 3 month trip in the Northwest mountains and western desert areas. Would it be wise to change the pump now or wait until it quits and hope I am not going down a 9% grade?

Should I practice preventive maintenance or use the old adage of "if it aint broke dont fix it"? Any Advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.



P. S. I will be towing a 5th wheel and my total weight it 20K.

 

[JFaughn]

Get set up with gauges , so you can see issues coming .
Have you checked for TSB/recalls , not sure if any relate to your truck , but I've read that even the up dates moving pump from one spot to an other , fail also , so some of the after market pumps may be the way to go , not familiar with these much being mine is a 94 , but gauges are best for all to have .
Having the spare & anything need to install is what I would do .

 

[WKruger]

There's nothing worse than breaking down miles from home. I'd replace it now, this way it's done and you don't have to worry about no more.

 

[GColeman]

If you still have the original lift pump which is attached to the fuel filter canister, IMHO, you've had a good run and it's just a matter of time for it to fail. Without a fuel pressure guage, you won't be aware of the problem until you are stuck somewhere.



If it were me, I would rather change the pump in my driveway than on the side of the road in the dark (and with my luck in the rain).

 

[Bekim]

Hello, I need advice from experts. I have a 2004. 5 3500 2WD DRW 48RE with 73K miles and still have the original fuel pump. After reading about pump problems on this site I have purchased an Alliant direct replacement pump as a backup.
I am planning a 3 month trip in the Northwest mountains and western desert areas. Would it be wise to change the pump now or wait until it quits and hope I am not going down a 9% grade?
Should I practice preventive maintenance or use the old adage of "if it aint broke dont fix it"? Any Advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

P. S. I will be towing a 5th wheel and my total weight it 20K.

A fuel pressure guage would have done nothing for me. My pump went out like a light switch turning off. It hiccupped the slightest bit about 20 minutes prior on the highway, it was just the slightest hesitation at cruising speed.

IMHO for your situation I would set up the aftermarket system now bypassing the old filter mounted unit. It will be a back up in case your new pump fails.

The 100,000 mile warranty will cover replacement of your LP when it fails if you choose to wait. They replaced mine with an in-tank setup at no cost to me.
Mike
###

For the 04. 5's this is the most common problem reported on the 7 forums I follow.

 

[rbattelle]

If you still have the original lift pump which is attached to the fuel filter canister

The key word here is if. You need to check which pump you have.



Didn't the in-tank pumps come around beginning in 2004. 5?



If it is on the back of the fuel filter canister, your best bet is probably to go ahead and mount that Alliant pump before leaving. Quick, easy job. Bring the old one with you... just in case.



Ryan

 

[GColeman]

The key word here is if. You need to check which pump you have.



Didn't the in-tank pumps come around beginning in 2004. 5?



If it is on the back of the fuel filter canister, your best bet is probably to go ahead and mount that Alliant pump before leaving. Quick, easy job. Bring the old one with you... just in case.



Ryan

My 04. 5 came with the pump attached to the cannister. As they started having failures, I read about in-tank replacements. Most likely it was late 04 or 05 when the change was made.

 

[JDiepstra]

Change it. Mine died at 54,000 miles.

 

[Rcolley]

Mine started acting up at 72000. Would throw the 628 code. dealer changed it under warranty, now in the tank.

 

[GaryOwen]

I replaced my original lift pump at 140k with a Glacier (Walbro) kit. It was still doing okay, but I knew I had really pushed my luck. Since you have a direct replacement, I would probably install it, then carry the old pump as a backup.

 

[Bekim]

The key word here is if. You need to check which pump you have.

Didn't the in-tank pumps come around beginning in 2004. 5?

If it is on the back of the fuel filter canister, your best bet is probably to go ahead and mount that Alliant pump before leaving. Quick, easy job. Bring the old one with you... just in case.

Ryan

2005 is the first year of in-tank LP's, no ifs to worry about.
Mike
###

 

[KBertetto]

I'm in the same boat as CFrance, my 2004½ has 75k on it with the original pump. Seems the concensus is to replace it while you can before it becomes mandatory on the side of the road (in the rain). So with that being said, what is the recommendation for pumps? Who makes a reliable direct replacement? Hope this isn't considered hijacking a thread, just looking for a little more in depth discussion on the same topic is all. Thanks.

 

[NSperduto]

I was just loggin onto TDR for this same question. I have 83k on a 2004 and noticed in the Geno's catalog that they have a direct replacement pump. I was thinking of ordering one for a spare.



I am usually local driving, but will be doing a 500 and a 1000 mile trip in March towing my camper. I'm thinking of just changing the pump now.



Nick

 

[MickeyMiller]

For me, it was a question of how long I am keeping the truck. My stock pump failed, but instead of replacing the stock filter mounted pump with the new in tank pump I chose to install the Galcier Walbro 392 because (1) reputation for reliability and (2) easier to replace that the on the filter pump. Buying a second 392 to carry as a spare.

 

[timroberts]

My lift pump just died at 85,000 miles. What is failure rate of replacement pump that is in fuel tank. Thanks! Still love my truck.

 

[DPKetchum]

Not many. In tank for stock trucks is a good setup and truck won't leave you walking if the intank fails. It still allows some fuel draw where the engine mounted pump dosen't.

 

[JackD]

Fuel pump replacement-warranty?

I just had to have the defective lift pump replaced on my 2004. 5. They replaced the one on the fuel filter with a n in-tank model. I was told by the dealer it wasn't covered by warranty yet I see several people have had warranty replacements. It cost me $600 as my dealer said it wasn't covered. Any thoughts or suggestions? Should I complain to Dodge for a warranty claim?



Jack D



2004. 5 4WD with 63000 miles

 

[NSperduto]

Did you buy an extended warranty on the truck. My guess is if you just had the standard 3/36 warranty, it would not be covered.

 

[JackD]

No extended warranty

I didn't have extended warranty. Thought it might be covered under engine warranty as part was originally p/o engine and obviously wasn't well designed so a completely new pump and witing harness had to be installed.



jack

 

[DPKetchum]

Its covered by the engine/fuel system warranty for 7/100 with a $100 deductable in years 6 and 7. First I would take my recepit and take to the Service Manager. If no good there call Chrysler. 1-800-992-1997