Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Lift Pump is Dead

[Slingblade]

Well, it seems the lift pump is dead. The truck started stumbling pretty bad going up a hill while comming home from work tonight. Other than than it seemed ok. I wish the dealer had taken me seriously when I had it in for service. (Loss of power complaint a while back. The service technician at the five star dealer had driven it but refused to check anything. Then said it was fine. ) I have gone over the 36,000 mile mark now. I went out tonight to change my fuel and air filters. After that I could not get the pump to fill the filter canister. I bumped it six times, then cracked the line to bleed it. No luck. I pulled out the new filter and found no fuel in the canister. The pump also sounds really bad now. It has a clacking grinding noise to it, same as before. Do you think they will cover it since I complained about it before the warrantee was up? I figure the easy thing is to go buy a new pump and change it myself. I'm not going to pay for towing just to pay for the repair as well. How much damage would you say has been done to my VP44? Any sugestions or advice?



Thanks,

Mark

 

[Slingblade]

I registered a safety related complaint with the ntsa about this since it makes no difference to complain to dodge.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Your lift pump should still be covered. On some years it's covered under the emissions warranty on others under the engine warranty - either way you have a ways to go. Damage to the VP44 is hard to say - could be some, could be none. I drove with over 20,000 miles (24,000-44,000) with a bad lift pump on my truck with a pump wire box on it and it's still working fine at 130,000 miles.



Now for the mantra - put a PERMANENT fuel pressure gauge on your truck EVERYONE with a 24v!!

 

[Mad Bomber]

Lift pump

The engine has 100k warranty,but it's faster just to do it your self. Eric

 

[Slingblade]

Lift Pump

I called another dealer in the next town and they had good news. The lift pump IS covered under the engine warantee. They aranged a tow truck, and a rental as well. (Paid for by either DC or by them). She couldn't believe that the 5 star dealer I took it to before had not heard of this problem and would not even test the fuel pressure to find out. It will be Monday before I get it back, but that's ok. They were very honest and up front about the lift pump problem and will do what they have to to correct it. From here on out I will drive the extra 45 minutes for any service work or parts.

 

[Mad Bomber]

Lift pump

Mark, I'm glad your able to find a dealer that will help you. There are a few good dealers out there. Come over to www.nwbombers.com We are the local club in the pacific nw. You need to get a fuel pressure gauge in your truck just come to our bomb parties and we can help you get in on. Eric

 

[Truckie]

Lift pump

mckinney360 Don't feel bad my Dodge dealer did the same thing to me my truck is a 2000 but titled as a 2001 and they kept looking in the 01 book to find out what the code ment and all along I was telling them its a 2000 well the next trip and an hour on the phone they realized I was right. They said the pump was bad and ordered me a new one. I tell you I cant believe the difference a new lift pump can make and what 3 to 4 pounds of fuel psi can do. I don't think you hurt the vp44 I drove mine like that foe 3 weeks but only put on 120 miles.

Oo. Oo.

 

[Slingblade]

Lift Pump

Thanks for the advice. I will get a gauge installed soon. I never got any lites or warnings.



Mine was built in '00 but titled as a '01 as well.



Eric, I checked out www.nwbombers.com, but my isp must be slow tonight or the forums page is offline. Where do you guys meet?



Thanks,

Mark

 

[Mad Bomber]

Lift pump

Mark, you never get any warings. If you go to the linksat the top of page then to chapters you'll find us at the top. When we have the bomb parties they vary the last one was in Arlington but we have had them all over. Eric

 

[Mad Bomber]

Lift pump

Mark, the site is down but it was working yesterday. I'm sure that it will be back up soon. Eric

 

[dpost]

I've read so many lift pump horror stories that I decided to not only install a fuel pressure gauge, but a dual (Westach) fuel pressure gauge. It will read both the in and out pressure of the fuel filter, thus providing the added benefit of telling me the condition of the fuel filter.

 

[Mad Bomber]

It's up

Mark, the site is now running again. Eric

 

[Slingblade]

Running again

I got it back tonight. It runs a lot better. More power on the hills.

The dealership, Karmart Dodge in Burlington Wa. was the best I have ever seen. I couldn't ask for more, except to not have a breakdown in the first place.





Mark

 

[Mad Bomber]

Lift pump

Mark, I'm glad you were able to get it fixed. Do you have your gauges for your truck now if not you should. If you need help on what to get or get them in we can help you. Did you try the www.nwbombers.com site yet?We are here for you. Eric