2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Embarassing LP question

[AMink]

OK, so I know lift pumps go out. I know there are good replacements. I know where it is. Now the question. How do I know when it goes out? I have 104K on my truck and it seems to run fine. The mileage is crapping out, but it's been cold. According to the stories and comments, my pump should have gone out long ago. Or am I just lucky? TIA

Andy

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"OK, so I know lift pumps go out. I know there are good replacements. I know where it is. Now the question. How do I know when it goes out?"



(SIGH!)



Guages, GUAGES, *GUAGES!*



This seems to be the hardest message to get across to new (and some OLD!) diesel owners...



When you begin to see significant drop or swings in fuel pressure, and PSI down at or near zero, your LP, and maybe injection pump, are living on borrowed time!

 

[Rman]

Just happened to mine last week. Just cruising along and my MECHANICAL gauge was going haywire. I came to a stop and watched it close, my pressure dropped slowly to 5 then to 4 and ifnally to about 1... then When I started going again it shot to 13, then slowly fell.



I bought a new LP and replaced, it's steady again at 14 psi.



I highly recommend mechanical gauges, I have 3 of them and my pyro. Theyare accurate, and don't fail. Electrical sending units just aren't as reliable.



Flame suit ready, just waiting to here about how airplane gauges in my pickup are going to solve everything.

 

[Thomas]

... Electrical sending units just aren't as reliable...

D/C seems to favor the non-mechanical gauges in their OEM installations.

 

[Royal]

AMINK---Your signature card indicates you have a 1997 vehicle. You have a mechanical lift pump that is nearly bullet proof. The first rinky dink electrical lift pumps came on the 1998. 5 MY 24 valve engines.

 

[Joe G.]

Andy,



I assume you are asking about the lift pump on your '97 P7100 system instead of some 24 valve poor excuse for a lift pump. The mechanical lift pump on our 12 valve systems will last a long time. Mine has over 233K on it with no problems except for a leaky push button at one time. I fixed that with a 50 cent O-ring.

 

[Rman]

D/C seems to favor the non-mechanical gauges in their OEM installations.

uhhh... that's my point?

 

[AMink]

Thanks! I know about gauges (3 in, still have to hook up the transmission, more on the way), but I am glad to find out that the problem children are on later models. Here I thought I was just lucky! Also haven't had to replace the front end or transmission yet! Maybe I'll get a BOMB proof transmission for my bday!