Lift Pump

[WStrmiska]

I just received a new lift pump for my 2004. 5 from Geno's that fits on the back side of the fuel filter. My question is, can I check the new LP some way to make sure that it works with out taking off the old one and putting on the new one. Hopeing thiers a easy way to check it. I don't want to be out in the boonies and find out it dosen't work. Answers greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[MDobson]

Wild Bill, how many miles do you have on your rig? A friend of mine has just over 103,000 on his,('04. 5) and was wondering how long are the lift/injector pumps expected to last? I have heard about a recall but that was here say. Of course, it is now just out of warranty, and anything could happen.

 

[rbattelle]

If I wanted to test one I'd probably just stick the inlet line in a jug of vegetable oil and point the outlet down into that same jug. Then apply 12v across the contacts. If it pumps, you're all set.

These pumps typically have a life less than 150k miles, although there are people who get more life. It's impossible to predict.

Ryan

 

[WStrmiska]

MDobson, I have about 41,000 miles on mine right now, I just don't want to be caught with out a back up pump way out in the sticks, could be very costly for a wrecker to retrive my Pickup.

Thanks Battelle for your input, makes alot of since to do it that way. $35 per year for TDR is well worth the cost because someone always knows the answer. Thanks Guys

 

[AMixon]

These pumps typically have a life less than 150k miles, although there are people who get more life. It's impossible to predict.



Ryan

Yep, that is about right, in my case anyways! I am in Iraq but my Brother was driving my 2004. 5 and the pump started acting up, I am currently deciding on which AirDog to replace mine with the 100gph or 150gph (future mods planned you know). Oh, my truck has about 130k on it.

 

[JHenry]

Wild Bill, how many miles do you have on your rig? A friend of mine has just over 103,000 on his,('04. 5) and was wondering how long are the lift/injector pumps expected to last? I have heard about a recall but that was here say. Of course, it is now just out of warranty, and anything could happen.

My son had lift pump failure on his '03 at about 73000. This was under warranty. The replacement failed at 148000. So far his injector pump is fine. jh

 

[Radshooter]

Stock lift pump...miles vs. time

I was reading WStrmiska's thread about the lift pumps and did not want to hijack his thread, so I am starting my own here.

I read a lot of stock pumps fail in the 100-150K mile range. A lot of newer trucks than mine have had this problem. Which brings me to the point of this post. My LP is 5+ years old, but low mileage (36,xxx miles). Am I still good for another 50K miles, or do they wear out based on age?

Which has more effect... ... miles driven, or age of the pump?

I am thinking about getting a Geno's pump to have in the toolbox. If the stocker fails, I don't want the dealer to put an in-tank pump in. I am planning on getting a FASS or AirDog at some point in the future (after getting some other bills paid first).

Truck is stock for now, but even in the future I don't plan anything radical. I do tow an 18K fiver once in awhile though, and don't want to be stuck broke down somewhere.

Thanks.....
Steve

On edit: Apperantly, I clicked "post reply" instead of "new thread". Apologies. Moderator: Please move this to a new thread if necessary.

 

[p-Bar]

I think it's bad design. Mine failed at 83k and a lot of others around the same. I couldn't afford to be with out my truck so I had the intake pump installed free under warranty.

 

[TimothyLong]

Which has more effect... ... miles driven, or age of the pump?

I think it's a combination of things. Mainly hours of use, contaminates in the fuel, and the design to some extent. The worst thing about the stock set up is that there is no pre-filtration before the fuel goes through the lift pump. We all know that contaminates in the fuel are bad things for CP3's and injectors, causing problems from clogging to premature or excessive wear. I would also think that the same applies to the lift pump as well. At least the Geno's kit has a pre-filter that should help some. I've also heard talk of cooling possibly being an issue as well. Let's face it, sitting on the back of that filter housing close to a hot diesel engine with little or no direct air cooling can't be good for the pump motor, which is generating it's own heat as well. The in-tank replacements that Dodge now uses are cooled by virtue of being immersed in the fuel.

I have just over 100K on my '03 and I still have my factory lift pump (knock on wood). I know that I am living on borrowed time, but I have a Geno's replacement in reserve. I am hoping to replace mine with a FASS or an A/D, hopefully before the factory lift pump dies. Then I will still have it in reserve for my wife's '04. The FASS and the A/D both pull the fuel through the water separator before the fuel goes through the pump itself. This provides that first level of large contaminate filtration to help protect the pump (like the Geno's kit). They also get adequate air cooling just by virtue of being mounted on the frame rail. I have often wondered why the factory didn't install a pre-filter like the Geno's kit. Being conspiratorially minded, I would bet it was done on purpose to generate revenue for the dealerships just like the front-end/ball joint thing...

 

[rbattelle]

Which has more effect... ... miles driven, or age of the pump?

In my opinion, neither. I think the number of hours pumping is the biggest driver.

The worst thing about the stock set up is that there is no pre-filtration before the fuel goes through the lift pump.

That's not strictly true. There's a filter sock that fits over the fuel pickup module in the tank. When I built my fuel system I didn't install any prefilter before the pump, so I'm relying on that sock. Same thing the factory did. When my replacement pump (Holley Blue) fails I'll probably dismantle it to see how the vanes are.



Ryan

 

[WStrmiska]

Radshooter, no apologie need as I appreciate all your guys input on the lift pump. I called Geno's and asked what would be the easiest way to check the pump to make sure it works with out taking off the old and putting on the new. They said just up plug the old one and plug in the new, that simple, and you dont have to mount it either. Since it was my first time doing this I made it easy on my self and took the tire off and the finder well so when the old pump goes south I'll have a better understanding on how to change it. Thanks again guys.

 

[TimothyLong]

That's not strictly true. There's a filter sock that fits over the fuel pickup module in the tank.

Ryan

I wondered about that. After I submitted my reply, it occurred me that there may be some kind of strainer on the end of the fuel pickup. I would think that it would be pretty coarse or it would clog up rather quickly and restrict fuel flow.

 

[CoastyAV8R]

Why would you want to check a new pump? The failure rate for a new pump hardly warrants actually installing it. Why don't you spend that time installing a fuel pressure gauge? You can watch as the pressure gets lower and when it hits a predetermined pressure reading, just replace it then. That way you control when you replace it unless yours just dies all of a sudden. When mine go they generally start with lower pressure readings. I record my fuel pressure each time I change my oil (5000 miles) and put it in my maint records so I can see if a trend is developing.

 

[Bekim]

Mine failed at 20,000 miles.

 

[MickeyMiller]

I went to Glacier's GPS pump package 1 year ago last Christmas, yes, my stock lift pump died at just about 100k and on Christmas Day! That kit also has a prefilter, which I changed a couple of weeks ago after a year in service. Cut the pre-filter open to see what contaminents were captured... none! It's just a fine wire mesh bucket inside the filter body and the body and screen were clean. I seem to remember that there was a plastic mesh at the fuel pickup in the tank, so I suspect any large particles are being caught there. I guess it pays to frequent only high volume gas (fuel) stations! I change my fuel filter every 10K and always drain the filter canister into a mason jar to see what settles out... the most I found so far has been a small ~ 1" X 1/4" water globule holding the jar at an angle.

 

[rbattelle]

Cut the pre-filter open to see what contaminents were captured... none!

Thanks for posting that, it's good to know. I'm gambling that the filter screen at the pickup in the tank is sufficient for my pump.



Ryan

 

[MStaggs]

My stock pump died at 30K :-{}

 

[MGroft]

STOP messing around & replace that factory lift pump. My replace i mean a fass or an airdog,yes i know it can get pricey. Look how in to how much a injection pump can cost$2,200-$2,500. Compared to $500-$900 for a lift pump. Replace the LIFT pump.

 

[rbattelle]

STOP messing around & replace that factory lift pump. My replace i mean a fass or an airdog,yes i know it can get pricey. Look how in to how much a injection pump can cost$2,200-$2,500. Compared to $500-$900 for a lift pump. Replace the LIFT pump.

Point taken, but keep in mind it's very rare for a failed LP to take out a CP-3.



Ryan