Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) "Dealer" is trying to screw me on lift pump failure

[Royk]

OK, here's the deal. At 68K my lift pump failed and was replaced under warranty. Now, at 85K the replacement has failed. I went to the dealer yesterday and explained this to the service manager. He initially told me that the replacement had a 12K/12 month warranty and I was no longer covered. I brought the service manager out to look at my fuel gauge reading 6 psi at idle and he agreed there was a definite problem and he would check to see if he was correct and if I was covered, and then call me back tomorrow. It's 9pm and he hasn't called back. This dealership is notorious for not calling back when they say they will.



My arguement was I bought the diesel option largely for the 100K/7year warranty. I don't care how many lift pumps they need to replace or how often; If I'm under 100K they should make good on the warranty.



Have any of you heard this BS story? Have any of you had lift pump or any other part replaced under warranty after more than 12K/12 months after a previous replacement while still under the original 100K warranty? If you believe his story, hypothetically, let's say you take home a brand new vehicle and the engine explodes in less than 20 miles because DC forgot to put in the oil and the dealer replaces the engine. Does this mean the truck with 20 miles on the odometer is now powered by an engine with only a 12K/12 month warranteed engine? I think not.



Please don't reply with alternative options to the stock lift pump. I already know what most of them are and that may be a topic for a future thread. What I need to see here now are stories of your experiences with multiple failures of the same part being replaced under warranty even after they've gone beyond 12k miles, but while the truck was still under the original 100k mile warranty. This way I have something to show him about how others were treated by their "dealers". Thanks.



Roy

 

[Extreme1]

I used to be a service writer for a Chrysler/Plymouth dealership about 20 years ago. The truck and all it's parts (as long as they are from Dodge) are covered for the full warrantee period. If your dealer tells you differently, just get it in writing and call the 1-800 number for DC in your owners manual.



Don't argue with the guy, just get the info in writing so you can show it to the service rep after the phone call. That is the guy you need on your side for future fun with this dealer.

 

[TowPro]

Maybe its not covered under the Cummins Warrantee? in 98 I think it was covered under the 3/36, plus under the HD emissions warrantee, (can't remember how long that one was). In other years it was 7/70 under powertrain. I really don't think its covered under the Cummins warrantee, put I could be wrong. . If I am right, now your over 70K so your power train warrantee is over.



I found it easier to go to Cummins, buy one and install it myself. Much less headache and you don't have to wait for "star" to approve it before the dealer can order it.

 

[MMeier]

Is the lift pump on your model year truck considered a Dodge part or Cummins part. Or is there another dealer you can go to?

 

[nps]

Extreme is correct. If it was put on by the dealer under a warranty claim, the LP is covered under both the CTD 5/100 or DC 7/70 warranty, depending on which is in force, no matter how many times it fails.

 

[Royk]

I think I'm getting confused now. I didn't know there were two seperate warranties, CTD and DC. When I bought the truck all I saw was 7/100 engine and drivetrain and as far as I'm concerned the lift pump is part of the engine. I don't care whose design it is; if it's mounted on the engine and is required for the engine to operate, it should be covered to 100k.



Roy

 

[nps]

I think I'm getting confused now. I didn't know there were two seperate warranties, CTD and DC.

Roy

Both warranties are put forth by DC. Cummins is not involved at all and you can only get a Cummins shop to work on your truck if the Dodge dealer farms the work out to them.



DC warrants the Cummins motor for 5 years or 100,000 miles, whichever is first. There is no deductible. The LP is covered under this warranty.



DC normally offers a bumper-to-bumper 3/36K warranty with no deductible. The LP is covered under this warranty.



In 2002, to help unload the 2nd gens with the 3rd gens coming out, DC extended this warranty to include a 7/70K powertrain warranty with a deductible charge. The LP is covered under this warranty.



So if you are under 70K miles, you have a 7 year warranty on the LP. Between 70K and 100K you have a 5 year warranty on the LP. After 100K, you have whatever warranty is provided on the replacement part (12/12K according to the BS you dealer is feeding you). The 5&7 years is determined from the date of delivery to the first owner.



Not so complicated is it?



(on edit: ) Looking at your original post, since you are at 85K miles you are only covered under the 5/100K warranty. If it has been more than 5 years from the first delivery, your warranty is up and your dealer is telling you the truth.

 

[ACoyle]

I moved this to the 24V forum, as it will get better exposure here.



AC

 

[johncameron]

Your LP is covered under the D/C warrenty. Period. I had 2 changed under my 5/100K warrenty then after the warrenty expired I put in a FASS II.



JC

 

[Thomas]

Check your Warranty Information booklet. Many report having the transfer (lift) pump replaced under the Cummins Diesel Engine Limited Warranty - I've never seen the transfer (lift) pump listed as part of this limited warranty.

Good luck.

 

[Royk]

Thanks guys. As I understand it, I should still be covered since I'm at 86,000 miles and took delivery of the truck from DC March of 2003, or 3 years and 2 months ago. Correct?

 

[nps]

Thanks guys. As I understand it, I should still be covered since I'm at 86,000 miles and took delivery of the truck from DC March of 2003, or 3 years and 2 months ago. Correct?

Yes - correct. But the rest of your drivetrain warranty is expired and you are running under the Cummins 5/100K.



Also understand that the dealer will put the intank pump into your truck. That is the only authorized warranty fix for LPs. It makes a good pusher, but you will want to put a stock LP back into the stock location to get your fuel pressure up. The stock LP seems to be reliable when fed by a pusher.

 

[cyborg]

if they R&R your lift pump under warranty you WILL get the in-tank pump :{

I would bite the bullet on this one.



As one who received the in-tank, your better off (IMHO) upgrading the fuel lines and moving the pump back to the tank.

 

[dmhollister]

I can concure on the warranties, and the dealer will put the in tank pump in. I was wondering if there are other things available for the intank pump. I did not think to put in another lift pump in the stock location. That, coupled with a big line kit should provide many happy miles.

 

[DMcPherson]

cummins does not warranty any of th eparts that ar sold to chrysler. technically it shoul dbe under the base engine warranty no matter how many times it fails, I have heard that and it is BS!!

 

[Royk]

I'll take my chances with the in-tank pump, as all the other in-tank pumps have lasted me over 100k miles. I think the suggestion of adding a new stock LP is probably a good idea. Also, I'm going to ask for the tank parts they removed so I can set it back to its original setup in the future if I want to.



On another note, it looks like my IP is toast too. I've noticed about 3 times in the last week a momentary loss of power. I checked my codes and came up with an 0216.



Roy

 

[Joe Mc]

The LP is covered by the Cummins 5/100k. The in-tank replacement is what you will get (unfortunately), but something to consider is if you opt for another option of delivering fuel from tank to injection pump while under warranty "if" the injection pump fails DC will more than likely "not" cover it because you didn't have the DC recommended "fix" to the faulty original LP issue. BS if you ask me, but it's their way of saying "thanks". MHO - do the in-tank while under warranty and then scrap it afterwards.

 

[CEpp]

cummins warranties lift pumps for 1 yr. parts sale. . have had one replaced under warranty. . just FYI

 

[keioga]

Good choice on the intank pump, it cant be any worse than all the other ripoffs, setups. I had the 4600 carter pusher pump and still the vp died. The pump should be in the tank, plus its free.

 

[BOstiguy]

I had my lift pump and Injector pump replaced last August on my 01' by the dealer. After arguing with the Service Manager about what was covered, I was right. They covered the IP but not the LP, so I called DC and questioned them on this and BOTH are covered under your 5yr/100k warranty.