Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Broken lift pump

[edgeman]

my son & I found our no fuel problem. we must have bound up,(misaligned,whatever ya want to call it,)the lift pump when we bolted it back on. Now we found we broke the housing on the pump, the part that holds the push rod. It must have fell into the oil pan. So here is my thoughts,we need a new lift pump,but before can install it we need to take the oil pan off to retreve the rider,push rod. Or does one come with the new pump? Yea right! Has any one here on the TDR ever installed an electric fuel pump? I guess im wondering if its worth all the effort to take the oil pan off, or change to an electric. Do we have to pull the motor to take the oil pan off? OUCH !!! Im starting to get a little nervous about getting this done, its my sons daily driver,and school starts in a couple of weeks. Once again thanks for any help!

 

[Howard Durand]

The new pump comes with a new push rod. Don't know what to tell you about the one in the pan. It is probably in the sump part of the pan.

Roll the engine until the cam lobe is away from the hole where the pump mounts and you may be able to get a magnet down inside and fish it out. Use one that is mounted on a flexible extension so you can't lose it in there too. I doubt if you can get it out the plug hole but it would be worth a try. Removing the pan is not something you want to do if it isn't nesessary.

The stock lift pump is very reliable. Not much to be gained by replacing it with an electric one.

When you put the new one on, use a couple of studs with nuts and washers instead of the bolts. Much easier to install.

 

[edgeman]

Thanks Howard,Here is how I got the push rod and the broken piece out of the pan. Unbolted oil pan,took starter off, took drivers side tire & wheel off,took plastic inner fender off, then I trimed the metal inner fender, on both sides of the shock tower with tin snips. I slid the oil pan towards the drivers side as far as possible, then I was able to not only see into the oil pan, I also was able to get my hand down into it and get all my broken parts out. I sure hope they give me a new push rod w/pump like you say. After all this, that would make my day better.

 

[Howard Durand]

Well, it doesn't appear that it was easy but end result is good. The new pump does include a new push rod. With all the stuff off and the oil pan loose, the re-installation of a new pump should be a cake walk.

 

[edgeman]

I sure hope so. We will order the pump tomorrow, it should be in tues. Thanks again.

 

[BigPapa]

Roll the engine until the cam lobe is away from the hole where the pump mounts...

It's not so much a "lobe" as a concentric. You just have to feel where the concentric is farthest away from the mounting hole. My wife actually stuck her finger in the hole for me while I barred the engine over! What a woman!



Scott

 

[Howard Durand]

I was thinking of a lobe but concentric makes more sense.



It must have been a case of bad luck for the thing to be mounted in such a way that it broke the pump.

 

[Joe G.]

The lift pump can be a bear to install with the stock screws if the cam position is wrong. I suspect that in the struggle to install it the cam follower was stuck beside the cam lobe because the lift pump was tilted somewhat. Then when the screws were tightened so the lift pump had to go flat against the block it broke the casting in doing so. After a bit of a struggle with mine when I was trying to find out what was wrong when my fuel heater failed I replaced the screws with some studs. Studs make it a lot easier.



I have also read on some forum (can't remember which) that if you take off the input fitting and remove the springs, it will bolt right up with no problem.

 

[edgeman]

I believe i will be getting the studs to reinstall. This is my 16 year old sons truck, so im letting him do most of the wrenching, I do my share of course. I was working on something else when he bolted on the pump,so im not sure what happened. I have never seen a pump with a pusher b-4, i might have screwed it up myself had i bolted it up. Oh well, whats done is done,we have learned a ton from my buddies here on the TDR!!! A lift pump is way cheep compared to takeing it to a shop. Also its time well spent with my son! BTW he is turning into a pretty good wrench. Thanks again for everyones help.

 

[BigPapa]

I was thinking of a lobe but concentric makes more sense.

No offense intended Howard.



I was looking for a lobe when I did mine and I couldn't understand when my wife said she didn't feel a specific high spot. She couldn't turn the engine while I felt so we did the best we could. I discovered the "concentric" while examining a friends cam while he had it out. I just wanted edgeman to know better than I did what he was looking for.



I would say Joe is right on with his assessment of what happened.



Good job of removing the pieces edgeman.



Scott

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I found it is MUCH easier to install the lift pump by taking the guts out, installing the pump housing with the rod then reinstalling the guts. Just remove the large cap piece where the 90-deg fuel inlet piece is to take it apart. That way you're not fighting the spring. It's easier to install the spring after the pump housing is bolted to the block than installing the entire lift pump.

Yeah I know there's more technical terms for those guts inside there but you get the idea :-laf

Vaughn

 

[edgeman]

good idea. Ill take the old pump apart for a practice run.

 

[edgeman]

Well we got the truck back on the road. It runs great! And no more oil leaking all over. My sons truck should last him quite a while. Thank you to all that helped us ,I hope we can help a few others by what we have learned.

 

[Howard Durand]

That is what this forum is for, helping someone get back on the road again.

It doesn't matter who finally solves the problem, we all benefit from the different ideas and ways to approach the problem. Sometimes the solution surprises us.



Big Papa, no offense was taken, I am seldom offended when someone corrects one of my misconceptions. Especially when they are right.