Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) In-tank lift pump....What is the latest???

[SandAddict]

I have an 01 3500 that needs a lift pump. My Holley Black is starting to quit. I searched the forums for info on the in-tank design. All of the posts I found seemed to be at least a year old! I was wondering if low pressure is still a problem with them or not. My fuel level sender for the fuel gauge is acting up and I thought maybe I could fix both at once!!!



Thank you for the info.

 

[Fishin Guide]

For most, the in tank lift pump is still a real pain and most of the guys calling me are looking for a long term fix. These pumps are still low pressure and have issues keeping up with any fueling mods. Even bone stock trucks are having lots of issues.



So it's the common conversation, use one of the aftermarket external pumps of choice and go from there.



Dave

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

The in tank pumps are JUNK from the start!! Do not even waste time thinking about them. Do yourself a favor and install an AirDog. My AirDog now has over 346,000 miles and there has never been a single issue with it. Still puts out 19 psi just like always. The last filter I took off had 150,000 miles on it. The AirDog is less expensive than FASS up front and the Fleetguard replacement filters are much less than FASS filters. Call Matt at 573. 220. 0153 as he is an AirDog and Fleetguard dealer.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[jcwehking]

Pressure on mine with the in-tank pump is approx 8-9 lbs at idle. I was skeptical but still trouble free since installed 2 years ago and 35K miles which includes plenty of heavy towing. Had issues this winter with low pressure but found it to be the fuel was gelling and restricting the filter. I have no complaints but don't have anything more than the Edge EZ. I have not heard of any failures of this style of pump. A few claim it was the culprit but did not say if they changed out the injection pump at the same time as the in-tank pump. Anyway, for me, I had no risk since it was under warranty. I'll bet there's far more of these pumps running on the road that were replaced as warranties than any of these other aftermarket products. Most don't even know what their fuel pressure is or how it would affect the truck. Sometimes too much information is dangerous (and expensive). Good luck!

 

[JLandry]

Personally I wouldn't even consider using an in-tank pump (even if it worked properly... which is debatable) for the simple fact that you can't easily replace it on the side of the road should you ever have to. I carry a spare AirTex lift pump in my parts box and could easily swap it out in under an hour on the side of the road. Mine is still mounted on the side of the engine, but it'd be an even faster swap if mounted down on the frame rail. That would be impossible with an in-tank pump and could ruin a vacation real fast.

Best regards,

John L.

 

[jcwehking]

When's the last time you changed your in-tank pump on your car at the side of the road? Gasoline vehicles have been using these types of pumps for years. It's the last thing on my mind.

 

[mhenon]

When's the last time you changed your in-tank pump on your car at the side of the road? Gasoline vehicles have been using these types of pumps for years. It's the last thing on my mind.

You're right... . these pumps are very reliable. The problem here is lack of fuel pressure. The pump might last forever but it's right on the edge of supplying enough fuel to the VP44. My intank (installed under warranty) started out at 7 psi and would drop to almost zero when I got on it. Not Good.



What I did (most won't go this route) is to keep the intank and use it as a pusher for a frame mounted pump (the OEM Carter). Been working well for almost three years with no problems.

Mike

 

[Fishin Guide]

When's the last time you changed your in-tank pump on your car at the side of the road? Gasoline vehicles have been using these types of pumps for years. It's the last thing on my mind.

True, but from a guy that had to change one halfway to Montana on the roadside left me looking for a better solution.



And it's not in the tank.



Dave

 

[JLandry]

When's the last time you changed your in-tank pump on your car at the side of the road? Gasoline vehicles have been using these types of pumps for years. It's the last thing on my mind.

In may be the last thing on your mind now, but why would you want to make things difficult and more expensive for yourself *if* the lift pump failed? Does a breakdown ever occur at a convenient time and location?



Best of luck to you,



John L.

 

[ALepley]

In tank pumps are not the way to go. I have a 98. 5. When I got the truck I put the edge juice with attitude on. Before I got it the dodge dealership put a new oem lift pump on. Weeks later I noticed the pressure starting to drop. I put the fass 150 gph pump. My pressure is always ranging from 18-22. This is the best investment you can make with our generation of trucks. The VP44 does not like the low fuel psi. The vp44 is lubricated by the fuel. When the pressure drops the lack of fuel can cause damage to the plunger and rotor.

 

[Jacobe]

I have an 01 dually that when the lift pump went out under warrentty, the repair shop put the pump in the tank. This was two years ago. Injection pump checked out OK. The fuel mileage dropped from 20 to 12-15 immediatly and never has gone back up.

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

The dealer probably did the latest reflash on your computer when they installed the lift pump. If so the software for the injection pump could have been changed and could be the culprit for low mpg's. Have you tried a Smarty?

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[EForbes]

The in tank pump just has to supply the actual lift pump mounted on the engine, the lift pump on the engine supplys the vp44, but if the intank failed i dont know if the lift pump would run out of fuel, Vulcan diesel sells straw type things that you can use, you take out intank pump, and put tube in its place, and then you can just mount just about anything on the frame, as long as it doesnt lose siphon. VP44 hates air

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

When the dealer installs the in tank pump the engine mounted lift pump is removed.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[Fishin Guide]

When the dealer installs the in tank pump the engine mounted lift pump is removed.



Godspeed,

Trent

Some of the dealers leave 'em on the bracket and just pirate the harness. We have seen several this way.



Dave

 

[Bob4x4]

Some of the dealers leave 'em on the bracket and just pirate the harness. We have seen several this way.



Dave

How are they doing the plumbing in that case???

 

[mhenon]

On mine they removed the OEM Carter pump and put a manifold in it's places. The manifold is an aluminum block with threaded/drilled holes to accepted the fuel lines. This makes it simple to use the exsisting fuel lines.

Mike

 

[Fishin Guide]

How are they doing the plumbing in that case???

A simple piece of hose from the old plumbing to the new. It could vary from dealer to dealer, but we have sen it with guys over a wide geographic range.



Dave

 

[SHobbs]

For the money why not go with a Raptor in place of the Carter, lifetime guarantee as well. Not as expensive as the Air Dog of Fass.

 

[KCanepari]

I had the in tank conversion on my '02 3500 and it's been fine. If you have no mods I would suggest it, otherwise go with aftermarket.