Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) $13 lift pump = grumpy dieselheads

[Heetseeker_1]

I'm going on my 3rd lift pump in 65k miles and I am grumpy about it. I will solve the solution once and for all with an Air Dog system but I don't like correcting the mistakes of a few penny pinchers with Dodge. As I was talking with an Air Dog rep today, he mentioned that he was told ,over a beer with a Cummins engineer, that Dodge pinched the fuel system down to cheap parts at the protest of the Cummins people. Cummins lost that fight. So, we are stuck with a cheaper version of a lift pump that costs Dodge $13 bucks. With this last pump, I am done with any aftermarket product from Dodge. It is all private enterprise from here on out and yes, i'm willing to pay well for it. My latest lift pump has 6k on it and bounces from 4 to 12 psi at idle. I would have liked to have one of those penny pinching punks sitting next to me while I limped my truck home from work today. :-laf That would have eased my pain. (some)



Sorry, had to rant.



Thank you TDR





Steve

 

[Ncostello]

I feel your pain as I've lost two. And it definately ain't no fun... and your right about it being on the cheapest end of the spectrum. But I hardly doubt Chrysler had much if anything to do with the fuel delivery system... especially the lift pump. The Carter pump is found on ISB engines ranging from our Dodge Rams to Ford F650's or any other ISB powered rig. We've got F650's at work that have had mutiple lift pumps replaced. Same part as the Dodge. Plus Cummins uses a variant setup with the exact same pump on the larger 8. 3L ISC's... as found on our latest ISC powered fire engine. Except the ISC pump only runs for a couple minutes at startup then the injection pump takes over the duty of pulling fuel.



But if it was Chrysler after all who designed this... then Cummins didn't lose the fight. They bought it lock stock and barrel. And the folks at Federal Mogul/Carter must be amazed at how easy it is to make money off such a junky pump. Especially selling it to a major engine maker who should have bullet proof specs by now.

 

[WyattEarp]

i totally agree with Ncostello on this one, i had my first and as of right now only lift pump go out in the middle of winter after about 2 months after purchase, and the replaced pump has been going for the last 90,000 miles(knock on sheet metal)LOL... If its cheap parts as some i have heard say the inside is plastic if memory serves me correctly if thats the case, whom do we shoot first!!!! Im approaching 92,000 right now so when it goes this next time i will be dealing with cummins and not a dodge dealer or should i say over priced parts dept. They overcharge 10 times what parts cost and we all know it, I have the marbles to say it, their stealing pple blind plain and simple.

In some small way i feel better now...

 

[Heetseeker_1]

deep breath, and relax...

Well, I'm glad we got that off our chests. The only problem I see (and maybe it's not a problem to you guys) is that when I go to cummins for a new lift pump it is the same **** $13 pump! Yep, you will pay more for that same piece of crap at Dodge but it's the same make. On a more positive note, I have stopped sharpening the battle axe and long sword. (It was freekin' out the wife)

 

[GLASMITHS]

Is the pump bad or is it installed wrong from the start. I purchased my replacement from NAPA and it is carter ofcourse. The instructions are that it should be installed at or below the fuel tank and with A FUEL FILTER BETWEEN THE TANK AND PUMP. Does not sound like a Dodge install.



Edit: It also says that if a filter is not installed the warranty is void!!

 

[LETHLISB]

$13 lift pump!!

I work with Cummins ISB's in many different applications. This fuel system is not only a Dodge thing. These liftpumps are all over Cummins Midrange engines.



I wish my cost was $13 dollars though.

 

[GLASMITHS]

I work with Cummins ISB's in many different applications. This fuel system is not only a Dodge thing. These liftpumps are all over Cummins Midrange engines.



I wish my cost was $13 dollars though.

Are they all installed like the one on our p/u?

 

[darkhorse]

This is slightly off topic but related as it has to do with part prices. I just got a set of exhaust manifold gaskets from Winona Peterbilt. That's a Cummins dealer. They charged me $3. 47 each. I had checked with the local Dodge dealer. They wanted $16. 95 each! Not a lot of point in going to Dodge for parts.

 

[gtwitch]

Lift pump Question

I am about to put a pusher and filter on my 99, Has anyone used the Holley Blue? I would like to use it instead of the Carter because you can purchase the rebuild rotor and vane kit for about $14. and about 10 min. and you could rebuild it in place. Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Yes, several have tried the holley - do a search on holley.