Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) lift pump for 97

[savage54]

I want to know your opinion on these lift pumps that they offer on Ebay for $25.00 to $75.00 are OK or junk. Have any buddy had good luck with these, or should I save my money and buy the one from Geno's garage for $114.00. I read that the lift pump from Cummin's is now made in China. Is this true.

 

[BigPapa]

They are junk. I am not sure as to the manufacture of the Cummins pump. It would not surprise me, though. If I was to buy one I'd still go with Cummins.

Why do you think you need a new lift pump?

 

[The patriot]

You can get a genuine cummins (usually built by Carter) for around $70 on fleabay.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Don't get the cheap one unless you want to sell the truck and not have to replace it again real soon.

Don't know where they are made now, the last one I got was not made in China. Even if they are, still could be good quality. Many "Blue Point" brand Snap-on tools are made in China. They are still decent quality.

 

[The patriot]

It really rides on the quality control.

 

[savage54]

They are junk. I am not sure as to the manufacture of the Cummins pump. It would not surprise me, though. If I was to buy one I'd still go with Cummins.

Why do you think you need a new lift pump?

I'm getting ready to do some maintenance on the truck, fix a oil leak on the vacuum pump, tear in to the timing cover to see if my dad did the KDP fix, and then change oil and fuel filter and fuel screen in the fuel heater. While I'm down changing the fuel heater screen,I was going to check the lift pump for any leaks, and if their is a problem, I was looking at options for lift pumps. BigPapa, how long does the stock lift pump last? I'm not having any problem with the pump and the truck only has 113,650 miles on it. Since I've had the truck,about a year, only thing I've seen with the truck is if it sit's for a period of time, like a month.It some times run's a little ruff for a few minutes and it blows white smoke, then it goes away and run's fine, it does not do it all the time. I do know when my dad had the banks system put on, they had trouble getting the truck running, and I think they fixed the problem. Thanks Dave

 

[Dan_69GTX]

I've had pumps last 200K and I've had them last 100K. I replaced the one in my own truck at 150K due to peace of mind - and I was doing stuff on that side of the engine which made replacing it at that time easier than some other time.

As for the rough start after sitting - when were the rubber lines along the block replaced? Could be air getting into them. If you are doing other work you might look at just replacing them too. Many will use a marine line since it should be a better material. I just used a line rated for gas fuel injection since that should hold up better too.

Now so you know about me - I also replace/rebuild starters and alternators before they stop working too. I HATE stuff breaking and leaving me sit along the side of the road.

 

[BigPapa]

BigPapa, how long does the stock lift pump last?

The one on my truck, which I replaced trying to get rid of a tapping sound at @ the same mileage you're at, currently has @ 400K on it. I think GAmes can also speak to the general longevity of the mechanical lift pump if he chimes in.

 

[savage54]

The one on my truck, which I replaced trying to get rid of a tapping sound at @ the same mileage you're at, currently has @ 400K on it. I think GAmes can also speak to the general longevity of the mechanical lift pump if he chimes in.

I was figuring since I'll be taking out the vacuum pump and power steering pump and working in that area, why not just put a new lift pump in.

 

[BigPapa]

I was figuring since I'll be taking out the vacuum pump and power steering pump and working in that area, why not just put a new lift pump in.

You do what you like but I wouldn't waste my time or money. If you do replace it get the stud kit.

 

[savage54]

You do what you like but I wouldn't waste my time or money. If you do replace it get the stud kit.

I do have the stud kit from LarryB's,only reason I was thinking about it was what I said earlier, plus I do a lot of off road trip's and would hate to have it go out.I guess I could buy a cheaper lift pump for a spare, in case it quit's . Thanks Dave

 

[The patriot]

I dont think they go out like that, at least mine didnt.
I didnt even know mine was weak until I got gauges.

 

[savage54]

I dont think they go out like that, at least mine didn't.
I didn't even know mine was weak until I got gauges.

Only thing worrying me is when my Dad past away in 2005, the truck probably sat 11 month a year. My mom would a couple of time each month run it, and I would take it on some trips. But it sat most of the time. Till I got it last year 2016. I guest if the pump has not acted up or started to leak, I should just enjoy the truck, and do the basic maintenance and check to see if it has the KDP fix. Thank's guy's

 

[BigPapa]

I should just enjoy the truck, and do the basic maintenance and check to see if it has the KDP fix.

There you go. You have one of the most dependable, reliable, and durable engines out there. Twice mine has left me on the side of the road in over 500K miles. Once was when the clutch hub disintegrated and the second was when I had pulled the upper radiator hose over the oil fill looking at something and forgot about it. The fan got it.

Drive that thing, man!

 

[nascar mark]

I read that the lift pump from Cummin's is now made in China. Is this true.

I haven’t been on here in ages but thought I would chime in. You are correct, genuine Cummins ones are now made in China. I buy a lot of the lift pumps from Cummins direct and they do say “Cummins ABFJV - Made in China” now. They stopped buying from Carter awhile back. Haven’t had any of the new Cummins, made in china ones come back, with hundreds in the field well over year now, so I would say they are fine. The other bonus is if you buy the genuine Cummins 4988747 they are 30mm piston, verses the out dated 26mm # 3936316. You can feel the difference of the extra flow of the 30mm piston.
I wouldn’t waste my time and $ buying the cheap crap. The words, "you get what you pay for" is true 90% of the time.

 

[savage54]

I haven’t been on here in ages but thought I would chime in. You are correct, genuine Cummins ones are now made in China. I buy a lot of the lift pumps from Cummins direct and they do say “Cummins ABFJV - Made in China” now. They stopped buying from Carter awhile back. Haven’t had any of the new Cummins, made in china ones come back, with hundreds in the field well over year now, so I would say they are fine. The other bonus is if you buy the genuine Cummins 4988747 they are 30mm piston, verses the out dated 26mm # 3936316. You can feel the difference of the extra flow of the 30mm piston.
I wouldn’t waste my time and $ buying the cheap crap. The words, "you get what you pay for" is true 90% of the time.

Hey nascar mark, I found this lift pump on Ebay and it says it's a Cummins 4988747, only thing it was manufactured July-10-2008. would it's seal still be in good condition or do you think the seal's may be dried out?

 

[nascar mark]

That’s a tough one. Depends on a lot of factors, like the climate it has been in all these years also how much test lube remained internally in it. The lube most likely turned to gel or solid by now ?

 

[savage54]

That’s a tough one. Depends on a lot of factors, like the climate it has been in all these years also how much test lube remained internally in it. The lube most likely turned to gel or solid by now ?

So how old would you be comfortable with? a year or two.

 

[nascar mark]

If it was actually sitting on Cummins shelf, not someones garage shelf..... about 5 years old for non hard parts but Cummins generally has good turn over, so in case of lift pumps, they don’t tend to sit that long.

 

[GAmes]

I currently have about 350k miles on my made in China, Cummins lift pump. Typically they have lasted about 300k so I'm thinking about replacing it as preventative maintenance. Before you remove the old one I recommend you purchase a new 90 degree hose from the prefilter and a square cut gasket parts #3923194 for the line that connects to the top of the prefilter. Personally, I wouldn't touch the one you have.