Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Lift Pump Failure Survey: Joined The Club!

[MacGreenie]

Changed out lift pump today on 1998 24V 4X4. Official member of the dead LP club... . Oh, Joy!!!!



Westach post-filter guage indicated high of 8 psi idle, 5 to 6 cruise and as low as 2 with my foot in it.



I was not comfy with these numbers.



Truck has 67K total and 3 months left on warranty but I decided to change the darn thing myself rather than do the "Stealer" thing.



New banjo washers, new pump (redesigned/improved model) and pressures are now16 idle pre-filter and 15 idle post-filter. I put in a second Westach pressure sensor today and a nifty little Radio Shack 3-way switch to cycle between readings. Mounted the switch on the triple A-pillar just above and to the left of the guage. It has a pretty little green sock on it and looks quite sharp... Ahhhh, the joy of a job well done!



Little change when revving... will test drive tonite to see what she does with a big boot.



I tow a 24 foot fishing boat alot... often 2000 miles or more. East Coast towing (no hills).



I have had the rig for two years. Purchased used with 52K miles on it stock. Original owner had VP-44 replaced at 15K!I have that paperwork. No lift pump replacement at that time indicated on records and also the number on the pump I removed seems to indicate the old style (original) Carter pump.



So I have been towing and running about with a SICK AND DYING PUMP FOR A WHILE! I hope the VP-44 is OK. No one knows... it seems if the first VP-44 died at 15K miles and no lift pump was replaced that the VP-44 was faulty. Does low lift pump pressure do damage or is it complete lack of pressure that kills a VP-44?These and other burning questions need answers!



I HAVE NOTICED AFTER 22 DEGREES F OVERNIGHT ALOT OF WHITE SMOKE AND A VERY ROUGH START IN THE MORNING. COULD THIS BE THE ORIGINAL WEAK LIFT PUMP CAUSING THIS? The grids cycle OK and the batteries are strong. We shall see what the new pump does tommorrow AM on initial start.

 

[John Berger]

MacGreenie, I don't think it matters what style or design the lift pumps have. They have to pull that fuel a good distance and I think they just get plain tired out after awhile. I'm getting ready to replace my second lift pump. It still functions, but my gauge readings are going slowly but steadily down. I'm going to install a pusher pump at the tank to assist the new lift pump. Ounce for ounce, it's hard to argue that the fuel pressure gauge is not the most important addition to our trucks.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by MacGreenie



Does low lift pump pressure do damage or is it complete lack of pressure that kills a VP-44?These and other burning questions need answers!

Your fine, You did not do any damage with the pressure reading you were showing. 70% of the fuel is recyled back to the tank. My 2000 had a dead lift pump ( negative pressure) and it did not kill the VP44. Some of the VP44's are not as good as others, just like any kind of equipment some are defective. There are members that have beat their VP44's half to death and can't kill them and others that treat them like they are made of china and they die