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

[HRDROKN]

This was all very interesting... . back when I still had my '01 my lift pump went out and I was outside of the warranty period, my dealer replaced the lift pump no charge to me!

 

[chazj]

Ken: After much deliberation (and a few posts here) I decided to "bite the bullet" and replace my warrentied in-tank pump with the Fass II. I just got tired of having to back of the pedal inorder to keep the fuel pressure above <zero> psi and be also able to utilize the "full power band" of the Cummins.

 

[JohnnieWinona]

please add me to the list

There isn't much i can add that hasn't been said. In one respect i am fortunate, i had 160k before my LP went out. On the other side of the matter, it took my VP with it. I was on my way to ATS, Denver for a new transmission. I was towing at the time. ATS called 30min after i dropped the rig off with the bad news.

ATS installed a FASS system w/o the filters, (just couldn't afford more). i have a fuel pressure gauge ordered from Geno's.

What i find unacceptable is the length of time that the LP problem has existed, 98. 5 and little has been done. At the very least a warning light should have been installed by DC, or even a letter from DC recommending installing a fuel pressure gauge, and monitoring pressure.

Many of us tow, haul, and do long miles. Most of us purchased gauges to mind the Cummins and keep it within limits so there aren't surprises traveling in the middle of the desert, or mountains between Silverton and Ouray. i really didn't understand the urgency of another gauge until the LP failed.

 

[bnlsox57]

Trying to avoid RERUN

My lift pump went, and I paid dearly for Dodge to replace it with the 'in-tank' aftermarket fix. The following week my injector pump went out due to the stress placed by the failed lift pump. The shop that replaced the injector pump also added a low pressure sensor, (That was set to activate a red LED when pressure was below 5psi), between the two pumps. This did not work out as installed, because the new 'in-tank' pump does not produce the same pressures as quickly as the engine mounted pumps did. I finally resorted to installing a 15psi pressure gauge with an isolator, (To avoid having any fuel in the cab), and then I had to install a pressure gauge snubber ahead of a tee that I added so I could utilize both the gauge and the sensor light. The combination gave me an acceptable means for monitoring the lift pump pressure in hopes of avoiding the loss of another injector pump. I got the liquid filled gauge and snubber from Summit Racing on line.

 

[AllianceDiesel]

the in-tank pumps are test on flow not pressure, and when you have the idiot light, and it turns on the pump is already bad, you should of put a glacier diesel pump on for probably a fraction of the cost.

 

[BK]

And the best yet, is back when my 1st LP failed, and I went to the dealer (more liked argued for 2hrs with them about it really being bad and possibly damaging the VP44, and they finally called the Cummins hotline to find out how to test the LP -- they just tested it at idle in the garage and told me it was good - I knew I had 0 lbs @ WOT), installing the gauge would void my warranty. . I swear that's what they told me me after they replaced the 1st one and I spoke about the need for me to put one in.

That dealer even made note of the blue antifreeze in my radiator (Cummins brand antifreeze)... they were looking for a power box as to not do the LP under warranty.

The didn't even know what a VP44 was, and that came from their "specially trained diesel mechanic" that only worked on the TDRs. I had to explain to him the relationship between the LP low pressure, and how it effected the VP44. That's when he got lost, and asked what a VP44 was.



That dealer (I know they are pushed by policy from Dodge), left me with such a bad experience with them and Dodge. There are others that don't succum to the factory pressures. We hear stories of them on here. Fair is Fair, but the likes of my encounters, every visit under warranty felt like witch hunt. I had to get another car, Dodge was NOT even near the top of my list. I wound up with a Ford, the local dealer I had delt with in the past with my Bronco and Taurus were very good, never felt like I had to fight for warranty.



And then the stories of the Jeep owners having their warranties revoked cause of the mud stains on their firewalls... what happened to "trail ready"... I guess not mud trail ready... .



If I didn't have my 1st hand accounts with my own dodge dealer (and my stock truck), I would be suspect of the jeep stories, but it's right in line with all the things read on here that other experienced, as well as I did.



Dodge better get their act together with their new ownership and stop chassing away customers.

I have another vehicle I'll need to get in 6 months, either an SUV or a car, not sure yet, but Dodge aint at the top of my list till I hear them making amends through customer friendly factory driven policies. . and not that 5star crap they did during their witch hunts.



Sorry, it just pisses me off... .

Rant off...

 

[BK]

the in-tank pumps are test on flow not pressure, and when you have the idiot light, and it turns on the pump is already bad, you should of put a glacier diesel pump on for probably a fraction of the cost.

Didn't Dodge go to the flow test near the end, for the motor mounted LP as well..... and got away from the min pressure specs @ WOT?



I thought I remember hearing that, which I thought was insane, since a marginal pump may flow well into a bucket, but not be able to deal with real life application and produce the needed pressure which would indicate (normalized around the stock lines and a good filter) enough flow for juice for the motor and extra returning flow for the cooling.

 

[AllianceDiesel]

no they went to them with the in-tank pump, and on the common rails that had the intank pumps.



They can't void your warrenty for having gauges, your first clue that you should of found a different dealership was when they had to call to find out how to do the tests, that is horrible, it only took me one truck to figure out the test and all i had to do was look in the book. They also can't void your warrenty for having mud, there has to be much more to it than that



and this is comming from a tech that was on the customers side 99% of the time