Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) correct fuel pressure?

[MFerraro]

I was having an obvious fuel problem with my 1995 3500 Ram w/Cummins 5.9. I replaced the lift pump 8 months ago (10,000 miles) with a new one from NAPA. First thing I did was change the fuel filter. No help. I was finding it hard to believe the lift pump was bad already. I installed a fuel pressure gauge where the fuel line enters the injection pump. I got a reading of 3psi. Hmmm. I ordered and installed a PAI pump from Geno's. Problem solved. I did find a defective/broken one-way valve in the NAPA pump.
AT idle I now have 15 to 18 psi at the injection pump. The service manual I have states that I should have 25psi at idle, BUT the service manual is taking its reading at the fuel filter. Does the different location of my pressure gauge account for the difference? Does 15 to 18 psi AT the injection pump sound ok?
Thanks

 

[BigPapa]

How did you connect the gauge?

 

[GAmes]

I can't speak to the '95 manual but the spec for a '97 is 17-22 at idle, 25-30 at 2500 PPM, free revving.Perhaps you read the description of the transfer pump that it's purpose is to supply fuel of approx 25psi to the injector pump. It doesn't matter where in the stream you measure fluid pressure. The engine will run at 15 to 18 psi but will be a dog if you tow. Low pressure to the IP will also cause it to overheat because the fuel cools it.

It's a shame the PAI isn't any better than the NAPA. I suggest you spring the extra $$$ and get the genuine Cummins pump, either from Genos or wherever. Maybe Genos will take the PAI back.

 

[MFerraro]

I attached the guage directly to the injection pump. I bought a new bolt from Geno's that replaces the stock bolt where the fuel line attaches to the pump and allows you to install a guage.
Sorry to hear the PAI isn't any better than the NAPA. LOL. I can only hope for the best.
The 25psi was shown in the service manual in the section that shows the tests you can run to check the performance of the lift pump.
Do you know if the Cummins pump is a Carter like the original one? USA?
Thanks

 

[Ozymandias]

Well, how much do you see while driving? Because for the idle your numbers are spot on like @GAmes pointed it out.

 

[GAmes]

Do you know if the Cummins pump is a Carter like the original one? USA?

Carter hasn't made pumps for Cummins for over a decade. They are made in China and the ones I've installed have been totally dependable. I do a time change of lift pumps every 300,000 miles.

 

[MFerraro]

I cant say for sure what the psi is when driving. The guage is mounted on the injection pump. I need to get the line and fittings to move it into the cab.
Free revving it and holding it at 1500/1600 rpm doesn't make much difference in the fuel pressure. Maybe a couple lbs. Hoping to get the gauge moved in the next couple days.
I took the original Carter apart today and found the same one-way valve was bad as the Napa pump. The valve on the outlet port of the pump.

 

[MFerraro]

This whole fiasco with these pumps has made me look at switching to a Fass lift pump, but they look to be pretty pricey.
Thoughts. Good, bad, any comments welcome.
Thanks

 

[BigPapa]

This whole fiasco with these pumps has made me look at switching to a Fass lift pump

Nope, don’t do it. There is not a more dependable pump than the original. The fiasco is, yours failed, then you bought an aftermarket and it failed. If you’d bought an original, there would have been no fiasco. In MOST cases, OE parts are more expensive, but give you the best results.

 

[GAmes]

This whole fiasco with these pumps has made me look at switching to a Fass lift pump, but they look to be pretty pricey.
Thoughts. Good, bad, any comments welcome.
Thanks

Five times the cost, one-fifth the service life. You gain nothing with an electric pump.

 

[MFerraro]

Thanks all for your comments. After considerable research I talked myself out of the Fass pump. You guys just reenforced my decesion.
As far as buying original, if I could purchase a Carter, made in the USA pump, I would gladly do so. As GAmes stated above, Carter no longer makes the pumps, and the Cummins is made in China.
Thanks again all, I have always gotten good solid input from the forum.

 

[BigPapa]

All “Made in China” isn’t junk, just as “Made in the USA” doesn’t mean it’s the best. There are different quality levels every where. The Cummins pump is still the best available.

 

[MFerraro]

Point well taken BigPapa. In my research I did find that Carter is still making the pump for my truck and it is available. Part #M73104. I don't know if this is the same pump that is listed as a Cummins pump as I don't know if the Cummins pump is still made by Carter.

 

[Hootguy]

DO NOT get the Carter pump.it's total garbage,oddly enough,the best pump seems the made in china for cummins DECC pump.you'll find them on ebay,not expensive at all.i tried them all,i probably have had 12 different pump on my old 96 since 1996,i change them a lot over the years because of my use of alternate type fuels.LOL..i had a carter last time,it was crap.Carter is NOT what they used to be,

 

[Ozymandias]

DO NOT get the Carter pump.it's total garbage,oddly enough,the best pump seems the made in china for cummins DECC pump.you'll find them on ebay,not expensive at all.i tried them all,i probably have had 12 different pump on my old 96 since 1996,i change them a lot over the years because of my use of alternate type fuels.LOL..i had a carter last time,it was crap.Carter is NOT what they used to be,

This

https://www.ebay.com/itm/125579434881

?

 

[BigPapa]

This

https://www.ebay.com/itm/125579434881

?

No, that’s a 2nd Gen pump modified for a 1st Gen VE pump system. They run a lower pressure than the 2nd Gen P-pump system.

What he’s talking about is a Cummins pump made in the DCEC plant in China, Donfeng Cummins Engine Company.

https://www.dcec-engine.com/

 

[Ozymandias]

Ahaaa, this is why we can buy brand new Cummins Engines on Alibaba.com very reasonably priced. I was always wondering.