Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) airtex lift pump questions

[trak560]

i have a 02 ctd and i will be replacing the lift pump and going with an airtex. but i have a couple questions.



1. does this eliminate the factory lift pump or is it an addition to the factory one.



2. does it need to be placed along the frame rail or close to the tank



3. what is an inexpensive fuel pressure gauge that is pretty accurate



any information will be appreciated, i think this is a pretty good pump. i dont have the funds for an air dog or fass. thanks Aaron

 

[FLynes]

Trak,



There is another post entitled, "Finally someone puts an end to Carter"... I think there are some exclamation points in there somewhere.



That said, I will give you my biased opinion... I don't like Airtex. I had a 1970 Mustang fastback that needed a new carburetor. I went to the parts store and got a rebuilt carb by Airtex..... it leaked. I took it back to the parts store and got another... . it leaked too. I took it back and got my money back. I sucked it up and got a carb from a resto guy and never had a problem again.



The Airtex fuel pump is a different story, however. I called tech support at Airtex, to settle a question about the pump itself; members commented on the other thread about its resemblance to the Walbro pump... . turns out, according to the tech guy I spoke to (the guy heading up this project) that it is indeed a Walbro pump... at least it was, until Airtex bought the line from Walbro.



The tech and I spoke for a while about the pump. I asked him whether the pump would be better off mounted on the frame rail, by the tank. His response was laughter and he definitely agreed that it would last longer if it were mounted there. The Airtex/Walbro pump was meant to be a cheap replacement for the Carter POS pump, and in that regard it seems to be doing its job.



If you don't have the cash for an AirDog, then this is the way to go. It does indeed increase the FP to where it's supposed to be, but I can tell you that I love my AirDog and should have done this install a long time ago.



PM me and we can talk more about it.

 

[ScottLauer]

The airtex I have bolts onto the stock bracket on the engine. It fits pretty well with only a slight interference caused by the oil dips stick tube. It will work fine placed on the engine but would definetly benefit by being placed closer to the tank. Relocation kits are not that expensive and you can finda dorman and an adapter fitting so that it screws right into one of those kits.

 

[JLandry]

Trak,



I just installed an Airtex lift pump in the stock location (side of engine) on my 2001 CTD this past weekend as a preventive measure since my truck has over 90,000 miles on it without a lift pump failure yet (knock on wood). I purchased it from Diesel Distributors which had a great price and service... shipped the same afternoon I ordered it online with free shipping. It was a direct replacement for the OEM pump with the only small exception being I had to push aside a fuel return pipe mounted on the engine block so the Airtex pump inlet would clear it.



I also relaced the fuel filter and installed a Dipricol mechanical fuel pressure gauge (also purchased from Diesel Distributors) during the Airtex install, so I don't have "before" pressure readings, but I do have "after" pressure readings.



These are warm pressures after the truck has been driven at least 30 minutes. Cold pressure seem to be a couple of psi lower (thicker fuel?).



Starter bumped, but engine not started = 24 psi

Idle = 17. 5 psi

Cruise (1800 rpm) over level terrain = 12. 5 psi

Wide Open Throttle = 7 psi



After engine shutdown, it takes one full minute for the pressure to bleed down to zero psi.



I would highly recommend buying the Airtex lift pump relocation kit which is available from Diesel Distributors if for no other reason than it'll save your arms and hands from being cut up and bruised during the install in the stock location. I bought the Diesel Distributors relocation kit but didn't have time to install it this weekend.



Good luck,



John L.

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

Would the relo. kit from them work with another pump? A better more expensive one in the future perhaps? I too am poor and am worried about possibly having to replace my VP very soon. How would the vulcan relocate kit work with this?

 

[FLynes]

WyoCowboy,



PM me.

 

[bigredblur]

I too am having lift pump issues. I like the fact that the Walbro/Airtex seems to be a much better pump design(gearotor) than the Carter. I'm not looking to bomb my truck too much. I might get better injectors later this year but I don't tow anything. It's just a daily driver. I would love to spend just $150 to solve my problems instead of $500 for Airdog or $380 for the Raptor. I already have the relo kit from Geno's so replacing a pump is trivial. Is it really just a "temporary fix" if I get the Airtex instead of the Airdog or Raptor?

 

[JLandry]

Would the relo. kit from them work with another pump? A better more expensive one in the future perhaps? I too am poor and am worried about possibly having to replace my VP very soon. How would the vulcan relocate kit work with this?

WC,



It would probably be best to call Diesel Distributors and ask... 503-970-6712. I see on their web site they also sell Air Dog and Raptor fuel systems, so surely they'd know.



John L.

 

[JLandry]

Is it really just a "temporary fix" if I get the Airtex instead of the Airdog or Raptor?

BRB,



This is my (possibly flawed) thinking on the matter...



For a truck needing only stock fuel pressures, then an Airtex lift pump is more than adequate (as far as pressures go). And for less than the cost of one AirDog or Raptor system, I can buy two Airtex pumps and a frame mount relocation kit from Diesel Distributors, bolt one pump on, and still have an emergency spare Airtex pump in my toolbox. That gives me peace of mind with a backup plan in case of a lift pump failure out in the middle of nowhere.



On the other hand, the AirDog and Raptor systems might be superior to the Airtex pump in other ways, so you'll have to weigh the benefits and added cost of those extra features against having a spare pump on hand... unless of course you can afford to buy two AirDog or Raptor pumps!



From what I read here on the forum, the jury is still out on the long term durability of the Airtex pumps (too new yet), but intial indications seem to be it has a much better track record and pressures than the OEM (Carter) pump for about the same price.



I hope that helps.



John L.