Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Dealer Lift pump test proceedure

[jjohn]

Does any one know the Dodge Dealers "standard" (if there is such a thing) for the lift pump test for warranty replacement.



I know what is in the shop manual but I have heard there is a series of procedures for fail/pass with one being a "WOT" test in park or neutral with 8 psi being the pass/fail? I don't feel comfortable mashing the throttle in park. My source seem credible enough but asking anyway.



My LP is getting weaker but still between 12 &13 idle and 6 WOT driving.



Although only momentary at 6psi with my mechanical test gauge

cable tied to the wiper blade, this is down from 14PSI when I started testing. Sounds like my day is coming.

 

[Pit Bull]

How many miles on your fuel filter?

 

[jjohn]

Pit Bull

Fuel Filter? I change it every other oil change, oil change every 3500 miles, less than 1500 miles from last fuel filter change.

JJ

 

[Pit Bull]

It was just a thought?

 

[jjohn]

Yea I know, It would be nice to have it be a filter swap fix.

 

[Mingoglia]

Fuel filter? These trucks have fuel filters? These aren't lifetime filters? Crap, I better change mine! Just joking. It's kind of an inside joke... . I met a guy that had over 60k on the clock of his truck and hadn't changed the fuel filter... . I was surpirsed the truck even ran! He later sold the truck... . I'd hate to be the guy that bought it... . If you bought a used '99 white regular cab two wheel drive Ram in Arizona I'd start saving for an injector pump now.

 

[Diesel Gunner]

Just posted this in another thread, but the dealer that I went to would not replace the pump until it dropped below 10 psi at idle. When they finally did, mine would drop to about 6-7 psi pullin a grade with the TT in tow. I now have 15 psi at idle and don't see anything below about 10. 5 psi under heavy load.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Mingoglia

Fuel filter? These trucks have fuel filters? These aren't lifetime filters? Crap, I better change mine! Just joking. It's kind of an inside joke... . I met a guy that had over 60k on the clock of his truck and hadn't changed the fuel filter... . I was surpirsed the truck even ran! He later sold the truck... . I'd hate to be the guy that bought it... . If you bought a used '99 white regular cab two wheel drive Ram in Arizona I'd start saving for an injector pump now.

Got a buddy like that. Talked him into buying a CTD to pull a 5th wheel trailer a couple of years ago. Saw him a couple of months ago and he had around 40K miles on his truck (2000 3500QC) and had never changed the fuel filter. Had Walmart doing his oil and filter changes (he had the infamous Fran oil filter on his truck) and he had two different brand tires on the front of his truck (said he got a deal on the new one after a flat) At least they were the same size I informed him and sent him the information on the Fram filter problem. Never heard anything back. I hope he keeps this truck for 10 more years, want to see how much abuse these things will take :-laf

 

[rashwor]

Pit Bull...

Your buddy really knows how to test the Cummins!

 

[99guy]

My uh - X - dealer said to me, well it runs doesn't it, what's the problem. They test drove it too and still had the same story, the LP by the way was completely dead at this point. Moral of the story is, I don't know what DC says the test procedure is, you just need a good dealer or knowledgeable service dept.

 

[rblomquist]

Just playing devil's advocate here but if you're running good clean fuel from a reliable source AND monitoring pressure post-filter why in the world would you change it out when it was still perfectly fine? Yes it doesn't hurt to change it out more often but if it's not dirty/starting/getting restrictive than where's the benefit?



Again, not trying to get into a flame war, just wondering if there's sound logic behind changing it out very frequently if it shows no sign of restriction.

 

[Bob4x4]

Have you ever seen a fuel filter come apart from old age?not a pretty picture in that injection pump. Even if only one pleat fails and the fuel bypasses you can destroy a pump very quickly.



BOB

 

[jjohn]

Hey Bob 4x4

What is the procedure where you work for lift pump pass fail? Is there a wide open throttle run up in park/neutral... with the 8psi being one of the pass/fail parameters? Or am I getting fed a load?

 

[Bob4x4]

#1 psi @ idle

#2 psi @ hi idle (foot on the floor no load)

#3 psi @ WOT under load (10 psi or greater)

#4 " of vacuum @ hi idle (less than 4")

#5 condition of fuel

#6 no signs of tampering

 

[jjohn]

rblomquist

To answer your question. I ordered my gauges two months ago, they just showed up today ups. When Geno's told me they would be a while (back ordered) I ordered a mechanical test gauge and received it about 6 weeks ago. All the Lift pump posts were driving me nuts not knowing where my F. P. was.



Bottom line I wasn't monitoring Fuel pressure so the every other oil change "fuel filter change" was better safe than sorry kind of thinking. I did with my 1990 also, overkill? maybe so I will probably continue even with gauges.

 

[jjohn]

Bob 4x4

Originally posted by Bob4x4

#1 psi @ idle

#2 psi @ hi idle (foot on the floor no load)

#3 psi @ WOT under load (10 psi or greater)

#4 " of vacuum @ hi idle (less than 4")

#5 condition of fuel

#6 no signs of tampering

So you make note of the PSI on #1 and #2 I assume... pass fail numbers there? "(foot on the floor no load)" is "hi idle" red line up against the governed max rpm for just a moment or so or??? I'm almost there Thanks JJ

 

[Johnny5]

I'd like to know if they test it pre or post filter. My pre filter test port is gone due to using Ray's bolt but i left in the stocker at the injection pump in order to use a mech gauge there. With my luck they will want to check prefilter. What have you guys seen?



Johnny5

 

[jjohn]

Hey Johnny5

I see where my 02 shop manual refers to a pre filter test port in a diagram, but I sure don't see one on my truck! was yours at the inlet to the filter housing from the lift pump? Unless I'm really missing something mine is direct from the lift pump to the Fuel filter housing without a test port pre filter. Just the tapped banjo on the vp44 post.

 

[cmckinney]

jjohn



My truck doesn't have a test port either pre-filter. I have my mechanical FP gauge pre-filter with a tapped banjo.



My lift pump PSI #'s



Idle 14 psi

60 mph 12 psi

WOT 7 psi



-CM

 

[Joe Mc]

10 psi.

I recall seeing in my shop manual no less than 10psi @ WOT and/or any condition merited replacement. Could be mistaken though and DC may have changed the criteria.