Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Lift pump answers from DC

[rkressg]

All I can say, I went through at least 6 lift pumps. That is the reason I have a FASS System now. I spent way more money on LPs than the FASS costs. Very upsetting.

Unfortunately, DC will never address this as an issue. They know it is a problem, but these (98. 8-02) trucks are too old for them to even remotely care, and anyway they already have your money.

They figure, an automobile is a short term product, designed to last no longer than three years, then be replaced. Big corporations figure, if it fails, we as Americans will just buy a new one.

The Big Three still do not understand the theories of "Six Sigma/TQM". It slapped them once, and it will eventually slap them again.

-Rich

 

[Sregorb]

26,000 views before it died out! Anybody has to admit that this subject gets alot of attention. Just to update stats, anybody for '04-present? I stopped at 72...



Brian

 

[PRout]

The problem isnt that they made a mistake on the engineering, bugs happen, its what they have done about it afterwards that matters. . almost NOTHING.

 

[BlackburnR]

I talked to cummins rep about problem, he said "so what if we lose a couple of engine sells, we only have a million out. "

 

[JDinterman]

Sent my letter no reply yet

 

[Tomscreek]

Replaced my LP at 83k miles. That must be some kind of record

I just replaced mine at 85,000. It was still gasping and kicking... 2 - 3 lbs of pressure.

 

[Texas Diesel]

I think post #244 about sums it up.

 

[BK]

I have to say since Cummins sold the engine without warranty to DC, Cummins has no liability in the Ram issue.

I think post #241 has the situation correct.

After talking with a gent I work with, his brother has been a Dodge ME for 20 years.

He says now, Dodge's spends more money on design for styling and realated tooling then ever before (sheet metal, plastics... ) ( Since D became part of C) with styling being the major concern , over reliability.

 

[Texas Diesel]

Except that with Mercedes, quality, reliability and longevity are the best known attributes.



Style is the PC way of selling now. Look at Cell Phones, anything, we all have to look cool and "fit in".



I believe you that DC spends more on cosmetics, but then so does everyone else. It's a fact of life in our vanity based society, I see no connection to Mercedes.



Look at the fake tit craze. Those things are ugly, round, protruding and hard. But women are lined up to spend $5k to have big "boobs", even if they look like there were purchased at WalMart.

 

[Bob Cochran]

I sent letter via email to DC Ref # 14980679 was returned. I sent a copy of that letter to Cummins and the dealer I purchased my truck from. I have been trying to get on to file a complaint to the NHTSA but have not been able to get it done yet dang page would load. I sure hope somebody pays attention. I have a hard head so don't mind banging it against the wall!!



Okay as an edit I finally got the complaint filed with the NHTSA and the complaint # is 10158345

 

[jjordan1]

Thank You. Great letter

 

[Regcabguy]

L.P. failure low mileage record?

Replaced my LP at 83k miles. That must be some kind of record.

Mine failed@ 17,500 miles. Is this the other record?

 

[Bob Cochran]

Nope my second pump died in 12,242 miles and just in for a little over 10 months. The pump was not a campagin pump that was before they was available but was one purchased from Cummins.

 

[Bob Cochran]

I received the following responses to my complaint to the NHTSA with my response I see I got the years wrong for the 2nd generation hope they don't think I am a quack and Daimler!!!:



It appears to be happening mostly which what we refer to as 2nd generation Dodge trucks which are 1994 through 2002 and also some third generation as well 2003 and newer. Older trucks was using a mechanical lift pump which does not have a problem. One current solution by Daimler Chyrsler is to replace the engine mounted pump with a intank mounted pump. At this point I think it is to early to tell if this is truely an adequate solution. If you get you account certainly there are others that can be more specific as to the years and they would be happy to responf to any inquiry. It is certainly a very expensive solution for those of us out of warranty. If I can provide any further information please let me know. Thanks for your response.







-----Original Message-----

From: -- email address removed --

Sent: May 31, 2006 8:05 AM

To: -- email address removed --

Subject: Dodge Ram report filed with NHTSA





Mr. Cochran,







My name is Stephen McHenry; I am an investigator with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in Washington D. C.



I received the report you filed with our agency regarding your 2001 3500 diesel problem. I have tried accessing the web forum however it takes a few days to have an account opened to view the forum. Can you tell me which years and vehicles are affected with this problem?



Thank you very much for filling out the report it is very important to us.







Yours truly,







Stephen McHenry



Investigator



National Highway Traffic Safety Administration



NVS-213 Room 5326-B



400 7th Street S. W.



Washington, D. C. 20590-0001



202. 366. 4883



1. 800. 986. 9678 x64883



Fax 202. 366. 1767







10158345



Dear Robert:



Thank you for your email regarding your 2001 Dodge Ram.



I am happy to hear that you enjoy your truck and apologize for the

problems you have had.



DaimlerChrysler original Mopar parts are designed with the highest

standards in mind. We have every confidence in the quality of our

parts. Though Mopar products are built to last, we do acknowledge that,

as with all man-made materials, they are susceptible to wear and may

require eventual replacement. You can be assured, however, that all

DaimlerChrysler original Mopar parts come with a warranty that is

competitive within the marketplace.



In reviewing your email, you stated that you replaced a part on 7/6/05

at 85,905. Your Cummins Warranty was for 5 years or 100,000 miles and

still valid at the time you replaced the part, when replaced at an

authorized Dodge dealership. Please contact our office at 800-992-1997

to review your expenses to determine if there will be any reimbursement

consideration.



Thank you again for your email.



NOTE: Please do not use the 'Reply' function of your email system. If

you have a need to respond to this message, please visit us at our reply

form (link provided below). Our system is NOT able to accept any emails

at this address.



For any future communications related to this email, please refer to the

following information:

REFERENCE NUMBER: 14980679

REPLY LINK: http://www.chrysler.com/wccs/brand_forms/us/reply.jsp?trk_ID=KMM3847173I23430L0KM&

Sincerely,



Amelia

Senior Staff Representative

DaimlerChrysler Customer Assistance Center





Original Message Follows:

------------------------



US Customer Service - Dodge Brand Site





Well the work was not done at an AUTHORIZED DODGE DEALERSHIP!!! So that shoots the getting money back from Daimler but was kinda nice to offer. Wonder what they will say if I tell them I did it myself. I will try and see waht happens and let you know.

 

[nps]

They should pay you - cheaper than paying the 's'dealer. I got reimbursed by GM for some front end parts that I replaced myself. Just make sure you talk to to the DC rep face to face, and if the answer is no, then make sure he tells it to you to your face. My bet is it that if you can see him you'll get your money, otherwise it won't happen.

 

[Texas Diesel]

I tried to file a complaint on the NHTSA website but eventually gave up. Something needs to be done at the government level or class action suit against Chrysler over the LP drama.

 

[Bob Cochran]

NPS - Well was not seeking $$'s from them as I did not expect it. I think to get to a rep I will have to travel 200 miles to Phoenix. It will have to wait until I can get there leaving on a trip through Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Northern and Southern California in a couple of weeks. Not planning on going through Phoenix. Your right to get any chance of $$'s will have to see rep face to face.



Texas Diesel - Yes it took a long while to get the complaint filed but I am hard headed and got it done anways. The investigator says he is working on getting on this site to view the posts. Still need to file a complaint though as for sure it is a safety hazard more so under certain circumstances.

 

[Charliegeis]

Lift Pump

I sent an E-mail. My experience with lift pumps is that Dodge replaced 2 pumps on my truck under warrantee and now I am about to install a fuel pressure gauge because I don't trust the lift pump.

 

[Bob Cochran]

The following is a reply I got from Cummins concerning the lift pump failures. While I do not dispute the fact that DaimlerChrysler covers warranty but would you not think Cummins would be concerned even a little because it is there engine and the lift pump is as well along with there assumed engineering and any associated safety concerns? I guess not!!!



Re: RQST00000425283



Summary: Cummins========Lift Pump Failues



Solution:

Thanks for your Email message.



Cummins designs and supplies the Cummins 6B5. 9 and ISB 24-Valve turbo diesel engines

to DaimlerChrysler, however, DaimlerChrysler warrants the diesel engine and truck

completely, as a package unit. Cummins, Inc. and authorized Service Providers cannot

provide warranty coverage on Dodge Ram trucks powered with Cummins diesel engines,

since all warranties are handled by the Dodge dealers.



Customers should call Dodge Customer Service Hotline (800-992-1997) for assistance.



Please let us know if you need assistance in locating the nearest Cummins-authorized

Dealer or Distributor Service Provider. For assistance in locating a Service Provider,

feel free to use Cummins Dealer Locator, which can be found on Cummins website:



http://wsl.cummins.com/ServiceLocator/jsp/controller.jsp?action=showworldmap



Please let us know if you have other questions and if away from your computer or

have a time-critical request that needs more urgent attention, feel free to call

us toll-free (from North America) at 1-800-DIESELS (343-7357). Customers may also

call Cummins switchboard 1-812-377-5000 (worldwide toll call) and ask for the 800-DIESELS

Call Center for assistance.



Cummins Email (via webpage):



http://www.cummins.com/cmi/content.jsp?siteId=1&langId=1033&menuId=6&overviewId=33&menuIndex=7





Customer Assistance Center

Cummins, Inc.

Columbus, Indiana, USA

 

[KenBr]

2001 Lift Pump issues

Well, this is all very interesting and frustrating.



I have had the dealer replaced one lift pump will under warranty a month and a half ago with another in the tank, only to have it provide 8psi at idle after 5k miles. I am now looking at a FASS fuel pump installed for $871. I am not sure if anything came of all this in 2003 and if it did I would sure like to know. I too sent a letter to DC and got a standard response, we understand the frustration and now being out of warranty we would suggest replacing the pump. I then call a ssupervisorat DC only to have her tell me it is out of warranty and there was nothing they could do. :-{}



Is there anything else I can do before I spend the money and have a after market pump put in. I am hoping I don't have damage in the injector pump, that is really expensive.



KB