2004.5 w/engine mounted fuel pump

[Regcabguy]

My friend recently picked up a 2004.5 2500 Ram with the canister mounted fuel pump. The truck has 65K on it.
If this pump fails does Dodge have any responsibility to replace it with the intank model? I'm thinking Dodge is off the hook due to the age in yrs of the truck.
Thanks.

 

[cerberusiam]

Nope, they have no responsibility to replace. Yep, it is out of out any kind of warranty from Dodge unles you bought it from a dealer and they want to warranty it.

 

[Regcabguy]

Thanks,that's what I thought.
I think for now he'll pick up a stocker from Geno's and keep the other for a spare.

 

[jelag]

two of the changes on the 04.5 was a move to a larger exhaust, that's a move from the 3" to the 4" as can be noted on turbo and the elbow on the turbo..... and the change from an engine mounted fuel pump to an in tank mounted pump.... It was my understanding that any truck off the line after Jan of 04 was an 04.5.... mine is now gone... but that's how mine was....

 

[cerberusiam]

No, in-tank LP was not factory installed until MY05.

 

[farmboy]

I ordered an '04 in Dec. of 03. It has a build date of Jan. '04 making it an 04.5. It has 171+K on it now with the original lift pump. We did a 7+K trip out west this summer with no worries. I always wait till light goes out before starting it. Our school bus mechanic says that move helps a lot. I guess it your call on what you do.

 

[cerberusiam]

The grid heater light has nothing to do with the LP, how long it runs, or its life expectancy. The grid heaters don't even fire over 60 F but the light will still cycle as it is more a self test and notifcation device than anything. The LP only runs a couple seconds when the key is first turned on then shuts off until the engine starts. The pump design\location is its greatest weakness and there is no cure except replacement. At 171k it is worry time, they quit for no reason at any time.

 

[farmboy]

Cerberusian, Thanks for your opinion, however----- I will not worry about it. Everything quits for no reason at anytime, even me.

 

[inlinesix3million]

There is an updated brushless design that fits in factory location. I am on the road and don't have part #'s. Should be able to Google it easy enough. I did mine this way. It was a

simple swap and looks/attaches same as factory part.

 

[BIGNASTY]

I have ALWAYS waited for the heat light to go out on its own before I touch it off the colder it is the longer it stays on, My 04.5 is a C vin came with the POS pump on the side of the fuel filter, when it took a dump at 48K they wanted to put the pump in the tank as a fix, told them to Pound Sand and put on an AD 100.

 

[cerberusiam]

Cerberusian, Thanks for your opinion, however----- I will not worry about it. Everything quits for no reason at anytime, even me.

Unfortunately, not an opinion. Just a fact of life with that pump. If oyu are fine with it quiting you in Velnetine Nebraska on a Friday night, then disregard advice to carry a s spare.

I have ALWAYS waited for the heat light to go out on its own before I touch it off the colder it is the longer it stays on,

Of course, the grid heater cycle is longer the colder the ambient, but, the LP doesn't run anymore or less if you do wait for it to go out. You get 2-3 seconds with a key on condition and then it waits for engine start. It starts pumping fuel then drives down the road a mile and quits when it warms up. Annoying little buggers for sure.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Im not for sure cause I haven't done it for a long time, but dont the LP stop at some point, I turn the key wait for the heater to go off and start, I think if ya leave the pump go without starting the motor dont it time out? I think so????? I spin of new filters and turn the key to fill them and I THINK??? (ITS DANGEROUS FOR ME) It times out if you don't start it.

 

[cerberusiam]

Yes, the LP only runs for 2-3 seconds when the key is turned to on.

 

[Prairie Dog]

If you get the latest SW update, the pump will no longer shut off - it stays on as long as the key is on. It's kinda nice since it primes the filter faster.

 

[RAndrae]

Just curious....how reliable are the in tank pumps. And if the in tank pump quits can you install a in line type pump to get you home? (Will it pull fuel through the dead in tank pump.....

 

[cerberusiam]

The in-tank pumps have proven to be very reliable, OE equipment. The retro's maybe not so much. Sometimes it is the install but the retro pumps just don't seem to be the quality of the OE.

If the in-tank pump fails so it is blocking the inlet you cannot pull fuel thru it, if it fails to where it is just not pumping enough flow and booster pump can help but it is still a bandaid. Considering cost and efficacy probably better off with and external pump, your favorite flavor.

 

[RVTRKN]

Keep it as an external pump and connect up a "favorite brand" pump and filter combination. Once the intank is installed you will lose the original pickup mechanism in the tank, and according to my tech, you would require it for an external system like a FASS or other pump system. I was given the original mechanism in case I wanted to upgrade the filtration on my 04.5.