Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Lift Pump Failure?

[RGardner]

I have a 2001 1 ton with about 40000 miles on it. Lately it has been stumbling after accelerating after a stop and idling erratically, not always but I have begun to notice it more and more. This morning we were set to make a 200 mile trip and I decided to change the fuel filter just in case it was the problem. Well after changing the fuel filter and going through the bump the starter bit, I realized that I could not hear the pump working. Always before it was a very easy change, bump the starter listen till the pump stops and do it again for 3 or 4 times and it started. Not this time! No noise from the pump at all when in the cab, if you stick your head under the hood you could barely hear it. The long and short of it is I took the filter back out and hardly any diesel in the can. Called the purchasing dealer and they agreed that the pump was probably bad. They (Irwin Auto of Woodward, OK) said that the pumps had to be tested and then ordered from DC! They said to call road side assistance and get them to tow it in. I tried and roadside said because I had over 36000 mi on it roadside was not going to pay for the tow. Had them call the dealer who said that it should be covered. Road side did and called back and still said no go. I called the dealer back and they gave me a tow operator to call and to give them the bill and they would fight it out with the Dodge rep. So far I think the dealer is doing all they can, but this deal with not being able to stock the pumps in bull! They said that they had replaced so many that it seemed that maybe DC was cost saving! Also the dealer said mine was the 3rd truck that needed towed this week (didn't say that the others were lift pump related) but the other 2 had like 70,000+ miles and roadside towed them no problem.



Any one have any thoughts on this deal? Does it sound like a lift pump to you?



Thanks in advance

 

[RGardner]

I forgot to add that the only mods i had was an edge ez. Although I don't see how it could have been any part of the problem I removed it and the boost elbow. I know I am my own warranty station but I don't believe that the edge had anything to do with the pump failure and why give DC any reason to cause me any additional greif!

 

[ntillm01]

From what other threads, and other replys you'll get, it definitely sounds like a lift pump. I have a 2001 1 ton and discovered mine wasn't working the exact same way you did. There's a reason I do my own maintanence! Mine went at 52000 miles.



Just prior, I also experienced a stumble that started about a week before I did the filter.



I checked the resistance of the pump across the pins, and it registered like an open circuit (no motor in the can).



I ordered mine too, but they didn't give me any grief. Made it sound like they didn't routinely stock it is all. Had in my hand the next day.

 

[Mundgyver]

Sounds like FASS time.

 

[Trizae]

that is true,,,,, both and injertor pump and a lift pump is a star center controlled part,,,,, and it is getting harder and harder to explain that there are parts that a dealer can not stock,,,,,, the problem is that these a vendor ship direct parts,,,,,,,,, DCX doesnt even stock them in the parts depos,,,,,,,, i know it might sound like BS but it's the truth,,,,,,, I'm a dealer,,,,,,,, I know,,,,,,, had to wait to get one for one of my best friends trucks for a week,,,,, he was pretty ******,,,,,,, but it's just the way some things are,,,,,,,, done blame the dealer,,,,,,,,,, he will have to flow test the lift pump before the star center will release one and send it to him



Trey Dressler

Dressler Motors INC

 

[RGardner]

Does it seem like just another cost saving move to not allow dealers to stock parts that have such a high failure rate? Something stinks @ DC! My parent drove used MBZ in the early 90 and they were good diesels. I had hoped that when DC came into being that the problems would be taken care of but it seems that the corporate mentality is all about making a buck not about taking care of loyal customers.

 

[lschultz]

Lift pump on my sons 99 went out about a month ago. He changes his fuel filter every 10000 miles. Original one lasted around 140000-150000. He did it the way he has been doing in the past but it would not start. It was running but sounded weak so he got one from the dealer(on a Saturday and he needed truck)and dealer gave him a cut on the price. When he went there they had three in stock. Some other places we called in Austin would have to order it. Guess he got lucky.

 

[Ice Cap]

Thank god for Cummins NW



I had a lift pump go a couple weeks ago. I called CNW gave them my engine no. they had 8 in stock. I drove down there and picked one up at 10:00PM and had it replaced in about 30 minutes.

 

[ntillm01]

Trey-Is there an explaination why they are controlled parts? This could be a blessing in disguise. Often, when a part is on special order like that, the corp is looking for more information on why the part was replaced.



From their end, all they see is an unusually high volume of parts being ordered. No information regarding why the pump was replaced. That triggers a quality person to ask why. Could be they are digging into it to have an idea of what to change to make the thing better.

 

[RGardner]

Thought I would follow up on the service by Irwin Auto. They had the tow charge billed to them (which btw was higher than all the rest of the repair bill) replaced the pump and got me out a day earlier than they thought they could! I give them very high marks for their customer service! Now if DC would just get the message. The service manager said mine was the 3rd truck this week with a bad lift pump! For a small town dealership that says something!

 

[jandr]

lift pump

I am sending this because I did not see anyone else post it. I can't stress enough using a fuel pressure guage! Genos garage sells them. My pump went out around 45,000 mi 2 years ago. I was experiencing everything you described. Lower power, a miss, noise changed when I first turned on the key, etc. It got replaced after being towed in!!!!! However it probably contributed to my injector pump failure even though it did not fail until 97,000 mi.

I put on a pressure gauge and watch it. I also picked up a lift pump, which I carry with me, from Cummins because Dodge would not sell me one. I am leaning towards the FASS system though because it seems to make sense.

 

[diesel DOG]

What is FASS? Thanks

 

[Mr. C]

I also found my LP was bad when the truck wouldn't start after a filter change, I did notice a bit of a stumble when pouring the coals to it on the mountain passes before the filter change.

I got a new one from CNW and installed it, then took the bad one to the Dealer and told the service tech all I wanted was a new LP to put on the shelf in my garage. He was happy to oblige cause he got to charge DC for a LP R&R and all he had to do is grab me my spare from the parts dept. By the way the CNW unit cost almost half what the dealer would have charged me if they would even sell one for a out the door spare part & if you pull back the DC label on the box there is a Cummins label under it.

I really should get me one of those fuel pressure gauges.



Mike

 

[Mundgyver]

Diesel DOG,



This link will take you to Piers Web site for FASS:



http://www.piersdiesel.com/FASS.htm



The affect of one of these units on our truck is very plesant. Less engine vibration and absolutly no fuel starvation to VP. I run the FASS and have removed my stock lift pump and stock fuel filter from the truck. This system is mounted on the outside frame rail back at the tank. It seperates any air from the fuel before it gets to the VP.



These are wonderfull systems to run with.