Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Dealer's Policy on Lift Pump Replacement Sucks!

[Challenger-II]

Well... . I'm madder than hell and ready to have a stroke!! #@$%! 7 months and 10,000 miles ago, I had my lift pump replaced on my '99 due to low pressure... . Gee, what a surprise. The other day, I notice that my pressure was no longer 13psi but instead it was bouncing around 3psi and going -0psi under acceleration. Several times it would return to normal only to drop again in short time. I put on a mechanical gauge pre-filter and verified that it was not my sending unit or pillar gauge.



Called the dealer and made the appt. Of course I was asked, "How I knew that I had low pressure". I explained to him that I monitored it with two seperate gauges. My pump was still under the 12month, 12,000 mile part replacement warranty. I chose not to drive the truck until it went in. Brought it in and showed the service writer that both gauges showed 2 psi at idle. I get a call from the A-hole service manager saying that their is a TSB from Dodge saying that pressure doesn't matter and they will have to do a flow test! If it passes, I owe them $90 diagnostic fee... if it fails, they replace it free. I said I don't care what the friggin flow test shows, my pump is not putting out any pressure! :-{} Since they only check the flow during one 20 sec. lift pump cycle, it may not show a problem since it could be intermittent. I turned blue trying to convince him that the truck was born with a pump that put out 13psi and the most recent pump ran for 7 months with 13psi and if they took one out of the box new, it would run about 13psi. A pump putting out 0-2 psi is broken!!!!! He asked if there was a driveability issue. I said, if you don't replace that pump there soon will be!



I asked him that if the truck passed his ridiculous flow test but still showed no real pressure... . would he consider that a problem? Answer was not a problem. I said fine, give me your credit card# for when I fry my injection pump. I told him don't touch my truck and I ordered a new pump from Cummins the next day and had it installed in 1 hour taking my time.



Imagine this..... my pressure is now 14-15psi @idle and 12-13 cruising.

Any suggestions on how to still fight this? I can't believe they feel that pressure is not an issue. It is a sign that the pump is going south... plain and simple. Sorry for the long rant, I needed to vent and the beers were not working. :-laf

 

[AKAMAC]

I gave up on the Dealers..... The only thing that you could have done differently was to do the flow test yourself first. The pressure test is for us, a failed return relief spring may give marginal flow that will pass the test. If you are so inclined you can bench test the old pump and ask for a refund on cost if it fails. The test is easy and it will give you a reason to sit in garage and have a beer for me. Mike

 

[KTobin]

test test test

 

[MKinner]

when my lift pump gos out, i'm getting the RASP set up. i'm not dinking around with dealers and new lift pumps every other year. i spent enough money getting the truck, now i'm going to spend money to make it better and last as long as possible. most dealers are pretty clueless about things like this. that's why there's the TDR!!!

 

[Trizae]

for the record, that is not the dealer's policy,,, it's the factory policy,,, the factory is a real pain when it comes to replacing anything on a diesel truck. If you dont follow the test procedures, the dont pay the claim,,,,

 

[y-knot]

Doesn't it seem very odd that Dodge has allowed this problem , which started in '98, too continue, almost as if their is no problem? it is obvious to me that the fix would be simple and short, if they were ready to acknowledge the problem exist and address the alkalies heal of the modern Cummins. I find it appalling that they can make so many changes to the injection system, internal parts, and electronics, but know one can figure out the problems with the short lived lift pumps!

After watching and listening to this very problem for the last 6-7 years, I am forced to except that Dodge knows the problem exist, they do not want to address the issue, and in fact, they allow the lift pump problem to continue knowing it is a huge problem concerning every Cummins owner of a 98. 5 Dodge/Cummins truck and newer. I most conclude that they allow this problem to exist simply for their own gain. They have made no effort to resolve the issue, so greed is the only reasonably motive to leave such a problematic part on an otherwise trouble-free engine. I am sure that they make plenty of money on the diagnoses, replacement and associated labor fees that accompany such a part.

 

[BlakeDavis]

my lift pump was doing exactly the same thing, I still had warranty but i said screw it and went to cummins and bought a pump and put it on in an hour. To me, that 160 bucks was worth it for my truck not being at the dealership all day.

 

[TMWeber]

Me too. I just replaced my pump (1 hour) rather than mess around with the dealers. I don't like letting them off like that but my time and especially my frustration limit is better put elsewhere.

 

[NevadaBackroader]

I just replaced my lift pump at 60K. It would drop to 5 psi at idle and go to zero at speed. It even pulled the 216 code, twice. After a day or two of this the pressure would return to 15/11. My first trip to the dealer resulted in an $80 charge to investigate. They ran a flow test on the lift pump. Since they didn't find anything failing under warranty, I got to pay the $80. They tried to get the code to trip again and couldn't.

Couple weeks later, it happened again. This time I went to Cummins and bought a new lift pump. Easy install and no problems so far.

Now here is the neat deal an old diesel mechanic told me about. When I changed the fuel filter, he had me button everthing up, start the truck and open the fuel filter drain valve with the engine idling. Be sure to have a big pan under the truck to catch the fuel. This purged the air and any water and, from the volume of fuel that shot out, I'd say it's a pretty good flow test. I did this again last night when I changed the lift pump. Both times the truck never missed a lick.

__________________

Yup, it's worth the $160 to buy the pump at the Cummins and install it yourself versus having your truck at the dealer all day and getting to pay them $80 for nothing.

All you need to install the pump is a flat screwdriver, 10, 13, and 17mm wrenches, and don't forget the spare banjo gaskets for when you drop them.

 

[Billy Diesel]

One way to get out of paying the fee is to claim the truck is low on power. Of course, this will probably only work if you are stock..... But one of the checks for the low power symptom is to check the LP.

 

[mhenon]

LP fix

Y-Not... what's that "short and simple" fix??? Seems we've thrown everything at this problem including $600 to $700 aftermarket pump systems (FASS/Airdog). "I'm" surprised that some other $150 pump hasn't stepped up to the plate and fixed things once and for all. Even some of the FASS systems have failed (don't know if the Airdog has any bugs).

I gotta believe there's something else about this fuel system (in-tank filter, LP, VP44) causing the problem. Until it's figured out... I'm keeping a spare LP handy, shopping for clean fuel and adding an additive with lubricant.

So far my luck's holding out.

Mike

 

[Ninearrow]

I have a 99 and the pressure is starting to slip. What is the Cummins lift pump part #?



Is there any reason I shouldn't go ahead and replace it myself, now? I'm out of warranty, so see no need to involve a dealer.



Thanks.

 

[MTPhillips]

Preach it Brother!!

Yeah, my dealer told me that it was because I installed the Banks performance kit... ... :-{} ... ... . he told me that my truck was not designed to have that much air flow and hp!!! Tell me what does that half to do with the LP!!!!!!!!!

 

[DPelletier]

I get a call from the A-hole service manager saying that their is a TSB from Dodge saying that pressure doesn't matter and they will have to do a flow test! :-laf

I was under the impression that the TSB was for HPCR trucks only ('03 and up) and that your '99 should have gotten the pressure test? They pressure tested my '01. 5 lp and replaced it under warranty.



Dave

 

[Hohn]

The flow test retroactively applies to all CTDs that are 24V.



DC got sick of the money they were losing on warranty pumps, so they made the test easier to pass.



I've already got my ultimate LP solution planned: Aeromotive Marine USCG pump, Aeromotive regulator, and a direct feed from the tank bottom.



Justin

 

[DPelletier]

The flow test retroactively applies to all CTDs that are 24V.



DC got sick of the money they were losing on warranty pumps, so they made the test easier to pass.



I've already got my ultimate LP solution planned: Aeromotive Marine USCG pump, Aeromotive regulator, and a direct feed from the tank bottom.



Justin

Makes you wonder if thier gamble will pay off for them; i. e. how many more expensive VP-44's will require warranty replacements vs. the relatively cheap lift pumps.



Dave

 

[DWeiler]

screw the dealer service centres

I got gave up on the hassel of dealing with dealers,most time the need your truck for a couple of days and take there own sweet time trying to fix,as well they will try just about everything not to replace the parts--i got tired of replacing lift pumps and just went with the FASS,i think i'm futher ahead now ,the FASS has been hanging in there for 8 months and hope longer. I just want something that realiable and works,if not try something else. PS---A few months back i had a rear axle seal leak,went to the dealer service center and the service rep said that by just looking at it the Maghytec cover was most likely the problem and i would have to pay, something about the extra capacity causing more pressure on the seal, ---fluid was at the proper level though---- WHAT BS. I drove out of there and bit the bullet and got a reputable diesel place to fix for 1/2 hour labour/new seal ,the seal was not pressed in all the way at the factory,only about a 1/4 of the way. Gotta love them dealers.

 

[wtfd6]

why do they mount the lift pump on the engine anyway? wouldn't it be easier to mount a pump in the fuel tank like a gas engine? and set its regulator at 15 psi?

 

[Challenger-II]

Mount a pump in the fuel tank? WOW!!!!... ... ... ... a voice of sanity

 

[Billy Diesel]

why do they mount the lift pump on the engine anyway? wouldn't it be easier to mount a pump in the fuel tank like a gas engine? and set its regulator at 15 psi?

DC wanted the Cummins to drop in to their platform.