Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Going to change out Lift Pump tomorrow on 94. Need Tips!

[C. Harlan]

Ok, I always have an extra lift pump, and a friend has a truck at his house, and the lift pump is dead. I took the fuel filter off the truck, manually pump the lift pump, and barely any fuel comes out... . "It's got to be a dead lift pump" is all I can think... . Any other suggestions? What's the easiest way to take one of these boogers off?? It looks like space is going to be limited, so its going to be one of those beer induced jobs... Come on y'all, Chime in and help me out!



-Chris-

 

[Joe G.]

Probably not the lift pump. Just some air leak.



If you remove it then anything else you can remove that is in the way will be a big help. Starter and fuel filter for sure. When you put it back on make sure that the cam lobe is on a low point. Some people have replaced the screws with studs. That should be easier.

 

[JGheen]

Some people have replaced the screws with studs. That should be easier.

What size studs will thread in??

 

[biggy238]

I went to the parts store and got bolts that were 1/2" and 1/4" longer than stock in order to incrementally tighten down the pump. I removed intake horn and fuel filter and went in from the top with my shop light laying on the starter. I'm a large guy so it can be done from the top. The most difficult part for me was getting the pump on with the output line in place on top of the pump.



When you remove the pump, I suggest leaving the 90* hose on the pump if possible and just releasing it from the pre filter.



Hope this helps.

 

[Willys]

IIRC you'll need some engine assembly lube for the shaft of the pump. Also, check the fuel strainer bowl for debris. In fact, you might want to do this before you take the pump off- you never know, it could be stopped up and preventing full flow. Also check for bad o-rings, they can allow air to enter the system. How is the truck running? Is it smoking white or blue at idle or idleing rough?



Search for posts under user name Joe G or Joe G. He has some good posts regarding this... (and the whole fuel system)



Good luck!

 

[C. Harlan]

How is the truck running?

The Truck Won't even turn over. . it cranks, but that's it...



I don't think it could be air, but who knows? All I know is that when I get it running, watch the he11 out! This truck is gonna be a screamin' demon! BUT-- We have to get it running first before anything. .



BTW, I cleaned out the strainer bowl, so thats all good... just thought I would add that. .



-Chris-

 

[Joe G.]

If you have a bad air leak the lift pump won't work like it should. It can't pump air very well so you can't build up pressure with the manual button either. Lift pumps fail, but not often. Best to check all the cheap stuff first.

 

[Willys]

The Truck Won't even turn over. . it cranks, but that's it...



-Chris-

Well, I meant before it died... but it may not matter much now.



So the starter turns the engine fine, but the engine won't fire off? Just trying to clarify.



Hmm... maybe take the intake off and put a little gas in there! Oo. Wait, no this isn't a gas engine... :-laf



Have you checked all the lines back to/into the tank? Just brainstorming here...



Good luck!



ps, didn't notice Joe G that you'd already replied to the thread, you're fast and all over the place! Maybe I should read user names more often.

 

[Joe G.]

you're fast and all over the place!

Not really. I leave this thing on the CNN news all day. Just check the forums once in a while. Retired so I don't have to work on anything I really don't want to do. I'm kind of at a "designer's block" point on my current project so I'm in my little office more than usual.

 

[Willys]

Can't wait until I'm at that stage of life And what might this project be?

 

[Joe G.]

I have a relay box I built because I had too many wires running through the firewall. I switched to relays so the wires were replaced by a small cable with very small wires. These mostly (not all of them) run from my switch panel to relays that handle the load for that particular device. The problem is that my relay box looks kind of like an explosion in an electronics store. Not only that, but I have more relays than will fit in it so they are in other places on the truck. Back up lights, fuel transfer pump from my bed tank to my main tank, loud horns, etc, etc. I recently designed an automatic pump controller that will start the pump when the main tank is about 1/3rd full and shut it off when the tank is almost full. No place to put it. So I am building a relay box that will hold up to 12 relays, fuses, circuit breakers, and the pump controller. It will have no visible wires on the main deck where the relays and fuses are. The wires, circuit breakers, and pump controller will be on the lower deck. I've built the main deck. It looks great. I have the lower deck partway done and am working on how the wires will connect to the relay box so it will be easy to remove. I am using an RS232 connector for the signal wires for the relays. Still have not decided exactly how to build the way to connect the load wires. There is not a lot of space to put the relay box so I have to make sure it all fits into a confined place and still be easy to maintain and add circuits.

 

[biggy238]

Joe, I know you're far and above my skill level at fabrication, but might I suggest using the 12 contact connectors radioshack has? I think they hold 12 14 ga. wires or so? It's been some time since i've messed with them but I built an audio system from various radioshack connectors for a bronco I had. They are expandable, just clip on the metal sleeves and the wire secures into the connector. If you think it could be useful i'll try and find the one I had left over.



Kyle

 

[BigPapa]

Read this thread:



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129209



My biggest problem was the new pump is longer than the old one.



Scott

 

[Joe G.]

Kyle,



I'll check with them again. The last time I was in either RS store here I just got blank looks. I have not been able to find a good connector on line for anything near a reasonable price. I found some that were only available for the male side (???). I need both pieces for a connector, the part on the box and the part on the wires. Probably end up using an array of studs on the end of the relay box.



Thanks for the suggestion. If there is any more discussion of this we should do it by PM or email. We are highjacking this thread.