Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Airtex lift pump pressure question

[BSeyler]

My pickup is a 99 CTD - bone stock. When I bought it five years, I quickly discovered (when I changed the fuel filter) the lift pump was dead - the pump ran but wouldn't move fuel. I replaced it with an OEM and added a Westach 16 PSI gauge and things have been normal since. The other night, fuel pressure dropped to 2 PSI. Drove five miles home and parked in the garage. I installed an Airtex pump today. At idle, it pegs the gauge. Full throttle will bring it down to 15 PSI. I'm thinking I will probably need to get a 30 PSI gauge. For those of you who have installed the Airtex, is this pressure in line with what you have seen? Just checking to make sure I don't have a problem. Thanks!

 

[radyvolk]

I get the same fuel pressure readings & I have the same setup as yours.



I don't plan on getting a 30lb gauge, I just want to know if the pressure goes low. I doubt the airtex pump puts out much more than 16lb.

 

[BSeyler]

radyvolk,



Thanks for the reply. Sounds like I'll be okay. I just hope it lasts another five years!

 

[JLandry]

I have an Airtex lift pump in the stock location on my truck and a 30psi mechanical DiPricol gauge.



Typical idle pressure is 18psi, 15psi at freeway cruise, and never below about 8psi under full throttle acceleration. I've noticed pressures can increase a couple of psi as the fuel gets warm.



Last summer during a trip pulling my travel trailer with warm fuel at high altitude in the Sierra Nevada mountains, idle pressure was up to 22 psi. I suspect the DiPricol gauge may have been indicating high due to the lower atmospheric air pressure in the mountains.



The Airtex is a great pump.



John L.

 

[BSeyler]

John,



Glad to hear you like this pump. I looked at others, but with my P/U stock and staying that way and not driven much anymore, I wanted something cheaper. My son in law works at O'Reilly's and got the Airtex for me at his discount. I think I may still change gauges to a 30 PSI. I have a neighbor who has a light on his system - no pressure = light and pressure = no light. I think I'll fix him up with my 16 PSI. I wouldn't want to trust my system to an idiot light. Thanks for the reply!



Bud

 

[SnoKing]

Here are my pressures. Before with good Carter on frame rail. Geno's/Vulcan relocation 3/8" kit. Geno's tapped Bango at filter outlet for fuel pressure gauge. Bango at VP44 drilled out.



Carter

Idle 14. 5

Cruise 13

WOT 11



New Airtex E8845

Idle 19. 5

Cruise 16-17

WOT 11



0-30lb mechanical DiPricol fuel pressure gauge. Mildly bombed Cummins.



Read my other string for installation details. https://www.turbodieselregister.com...208372-lift-pump-time-you-guys-not-crazy.html



SNOKING

 

[BSeyler]

SNOKING,



Sounds like you're set up well on your pickup. I used to use mine like a real pickup regularly, pulling loads of hay, equipment, etc. , until relocating 2 1/2 years ago. We bought a very slightly used fifth wheel to live in while we built a new house. Now that the house is done, I stay busy teaching and don't need to haul much. My plan (the dream) was to travel quite a bit during the summer. My wife's plan (the reality) is to visit the grandkids. With three of four kids in the army, our trips have been to Italy, England, Monterey, Colorado Springs, (all army posts) etc. , wherever the kids get posted. Needless to say, the fifth wheel idea is history. With my son in law recently back in Italy from deployment to Afghanistan, we will be traveling wherever orders send them next, as he is career and recently promoted to captain. Thanks for the info!



Bud

 

[RJWEST]

bseyler, Great Family,
You are Blessed. God bless you and your children !

 

[BSeyler]

bseyler, Great Family,

You are Blessed. God bless you and your children !

Thank you! We are very proud of our kids. Two daughters, my son, and one son in law are currently, or have been army. My son did a tour in Iraq in 2005. One daughter and her husband were both in Saudi Arabia for a seven month deployment in 2001 - they were in the same unit. She is now out (couldn't bear the thought of another deployment with kids) and he just returned from 15 months in Afghanistan - 173rd Airborne. Our other daughter was a linguist and is now in the reserves. Her job was classified - she could tell us what she did, but would have to kill us...

We have met many young service members who have the whole country's best interest at heart. I know there are other TDR members who have family serving and I am grateful for their service - causes a lump in my throat. We are in good hands!

 

[RCrosby]

bseyler, I had the same problem,after changing stock l/p, to the walbro on the frame near the tank. 16 psi westach was always pegged out. ran it like that for 3 months, the gauge started reading lower psi, I was about to change l/p out again. rig up machanical gauge to check psi at injector pump it was 19 psi. I ordered new westach 30psi & sender, it have been over two years with no problems. GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR KIDS THAT ARE SERVING FOR OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY. GOD BLESS

 

[BSeyler]

RCrosby,

Mine acted up yesterday evening. When I started up, I only had about 14 PSI. As the grid heaters cycled, pressure would drop to about 5 PSI. When driving, anywhere from pegged to about 12 - very erratic. I was thinking the same thing - I had gotten a bad pump or else an electrical gremlin. I never saw my old one show more than about a 2 PSI drop w/grid heater cycles. Today, back to normal. It very well could be the sending unit. I have a 30 PSI gauge on order. Glad you replied - I was about ready to rip into it again without thinking it through clearly! Thanks!

 

[BHitt]

After the third lift pump I installed B D assist pump on the frame and installed a westach 30 psi gauge. When I noticed a loss of psi I had the system checked and found the LP on the engine had failed. Installed a Airtex and left the assist pump hooked up also. I now have 22 psi at idle and 18 to 20 working psi. I have been told this is not excessive for this type of set up. Bought the truck four years ago and now have 170k on it. Love my old truck but boy what sloppy enginerring!!!

 

[ScottLauer]

I have an Airtex lift pump in the stock location on my truck and a 30psi mechanical DiPricol gauge.



Typical idle pressure is 18psi, 15psi at freeway cruise,







The Airtex is a great pump.



John L.

Thats about what I see and I have a 30psi Autometer. However I have some Jammer 3 injectors and an ADR and I can pull it down to about 3 psi in the higher RPMs. Its pretty good for a stock replacement. Mine has been going a year now without a hitch. However I'm going to have to upgrade because it doesn't flow enough for me. My $. 02



I've seen it hit 20-22psi once or twice but that usually only happens when the truck is shut off and I'm letting the pump run to prime the fuel system.

 

[2-ND TIME]

Airtex lift pump

They did say that the vp's don't like inlet pressure above 15 psi some years ago? Maybe a pressure relief valve, you can run the two gauges off of the same feed.