Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) How many lift pumps have to die before Dodge will do something

[Gordon Maney]

lift pump failure

Where is the lift pump located?



Do you need much in the way of tools to replace it?



What symptoms are present if the pump fails or is failing?



I suspect the engine could stop, and there could be a number of possible causes. So... . I would be interested to know how you decide if it is the pump.

 

[kaffine krazed]

A bad lift pump can cause anything from nothing noticable to low power, stalling, hard starting, no start. Fuel pressure is the easiest way to know what the lift pump is doing. Just because the pressure is low though doesn't mean that it is the problem it will need to be fixed before continuing diag but it may have other problems besides the lift pump. Also there are other reasons that you might have low fuel pressure other than a failed lift pump.



Tools requied for replacement. 17mm, 13mm, wrench or sockets and a ratchet an 11mm open end wrench. A trained contortianist monkey also helps but isn't required.



If you are replacing it where there are air tools availble I highly recomend a 3/8" impact a long extension and a 13mm wobble socket it makes it alot easier.

 

[Texas Diesel]

Originally posted by Gary - KJ6Q

C'mon guys, time to get real, wake up - and smell the coffee!

C'mon Gary quit drinking decaf



All pumps will fail, you're right, but not like clockwork like ours do.

I've had three in 61k miles, waaay toooo many failures in such a short period of time. I have a spare under the back seat.



ALL fuel injected gassers have a "lift pump" located *IN* the fuel tank, the one in my Dakota made it 180,000 miles, not bad at all.



The fail rate is too high and something should be done, I dont have the answer but then I didnt 'engineer' it either, not really sure anyone 'engineered' it



But then has F**D fixed their autolocking hubs on the 4wd's? No, everyone I know throws them away and buys Warn's.

 

[TowPro]

Does the 2003 have a lift pump?

 

[Texas Diesel]

Yes, totally different design. I have seen one failure but I think the engine shuts down if it fails, not sure though.

 

[2-ND TIME]

lift pumps

Well this is my 4th lift pump and it was failing at 11 months and the dealer was a wear about it at the time and they don't want to help THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO HELP ME ALL ALONG IF THEY AND THE ONE'S BACK EAST EVER EXPECT ME TO BUY ANOTHER CRY-SLURR PRODUCT AGAIN THEY ARE (%#^*!!!%#&&*^) With all that said the one dealer is helping me with problem # 2 have spent about $7000. 00 +++++ on this one so far. :-{} :-{} Can I say I am impressed ??????????? with them.

 

[Ray Torresdal]

latest from Dodge???

I stopped by my dealer on Saturday AM. I am having intermittant hard starting problems, and I am quite sure that I must have a cracked fuel filter cover. (subject of one of the latest TSB's in the list) While there and talking with a new service manager, who had to go out and print out the TSB, he claimed that Dodge had sent out word that lift pumps had to MAINTAIN a minimum of 10 lbs pressure. Has anyone else heard this? He said that they had gotten this word very recently, I took it to be in the last week???? I assured him that mine would drop below 10 psi under load, and sent him out to check the pressure gauge while the truck was idling. He wanted the truck brought in, so they could check it out. I had record of the last 2 lift pump changes, couldn't believe I hadn't written down when I replaced it for the first time. Unfortunately, I'm over 100,000, so don't know what he will do, if anything.



Mainly curious if anyone else has heard that Dodge has told dealers that lift pumps need to maintain 10 psi, perhaps they have had to start paying for VP-44's???



Ray

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"ALL fuel injected gassers have a "lift pump" located *IN* the fuel tank, the one in my Dakota made it 180,000 miles, not bad at all. "



A number here have suggested in-tank pumps are the answer - yet all contact *I* have had with those have shown the same tendency to failure as the external pumps - Camaros were NOTORIOUS for early and abundant failure - and what fun DROPPING the fuel tank to swap one out - no thanks, not for me!



Sure, some with in-tank pumps go for decent periods before failure - JUST LIKE most of OUR pumps do - but they DO fail, and are especially prone to sensitivity to low fuel levels, since they rely upon the fuel for motor cooling - let the fuel level get low, and kiss the pump goodbye!



I'm still puzzled as to why most of our pumps apparently go for extended periods before needing attention - and yet other owners will go thru multiple pumps in VERY few miles - I still think its a regional thing, related to local fuel quality or climate - perhaps with a bit of erratic maintenance or monitoring of fuel pressure tossed into the mix...



It would be interesting to see a map, with markers showing exactly WHERE the multiple failures occur, to see if there is any observable correlation or pattern...