Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Lift Pump leaking at the plug??

[Nate]

Last week I happened to notice a small puddle of fluid under my truck. After looking, I could see the T Case skid was damp, though the T Case wasn't leaking. Figured maybe it was water or something.



Today I noticed a puddle again. T Case skid has diesel on it... . coming from the lift pump which is right next to it.



The fittings aren't wet, nor is the line. The only think that is wet is the bottom of the pump around the plug.



Is there even diesel in this part of the pump, or just the motor which is sealed off?? I'm going to wipe it off and tighten everything down just to make sure.

 

[Hahn007]

Nate,

Yes diesel fuel actually flows into the motor housing of the lift pump. I believe it is designed this way to provide cooling for the pump motor.



Chris Hahn

 

[Nate]

Do you know if I could somehow reseal it?



It is the factory pump with 168,000 miles on it... still chugging along

 

[mhenon]

Do you know if I could somehow reseal it?



It is the factory pump with 168,000 miles on it... still chugging along

Nate, I think you've become a victim of ULSD. Seems I read somewhere that the LP will leak from several places if it has been used with LSD and then switched to ULSD. The leak at the electrical connector was one mentioned.

A replacement LP started on ULSD should be fine.

Mike

 

[Nate]

If that's true... that sucks! I was hoping to get like 400,000 miles out of this just to prove not all the lift pumps suck. :-laf



I have another new one to replace it. I guess I could keep the old one as a spare since it still works.



Stupid ULSD. Whoever came up with this crap need a kick in the nuts!

 

[mhenon]

Well, if I get 168K out of the VP I'll be happy. So far no leaks here on ULSD but I don't have anything near your mileage on the fuel system.

Picked up the last LP at Rocky Mountain Cummins, Boise. Thanks for the tip.

Mike

 

[wlowe]

My lift pump just started leaking in the same place and is slowly getting worse. Original pump, 56,000 miles. Hard to prove, but if it wasn't caused by ULSD fuel then it's a big coincidence that it started right after ULSD came out. I bought two campaign pumps today, $65 each, we'll see how these hold up.

 

[Chasweaver]

I have a 99 and when I bought it used in 02 it was leaking at the plug and had been for some time. I replaced it and 1,000 mi +or- the second one also leaked same place, dripping down on the starter.

The third one is good so far. I epoxyed the base of the second one and carry it for an emergency back up. This all happened before the stupid fuel change. By the way the first leak ate the starter. . Charlie

 

[wlowe]

Chasweaver stated:

By the way the first leak ate the starter

Great, thats all I need. I just looked in my service manual and it states that the starter should be removed before replacing the pump, (forget that!). Anyone else lose a starter due to fuel leaking on it?

 

[AlFischer]

ULSD? Leak? Klutz?

VERY interesting. Last week I noticed a puddle of fuel underneath my lift pump. Leaking at the connector. Well, two weeks ago I had relocated it to the frame and added a pusher and filter screen. Well, I figured that I had bumped the connector or pulled too hard on it. Read the notice from Cummins about the nitrile seal and it makes sense. However, I understand that here in California we have been getting ULSD for some time now. Funny that it started right after I changed the location to the frame?? (it won't wipe out my starter there!!) Now at least it is easy to change, too! Original pump, 60k miles. Good pressure. Good flow. Pulled the tank and it was spotless inside.



IF we have been getting ULSD for some time, then this may be the cause. I doubt a tank or two of ULSD would do it.



So, ULSD or just a klutz for a mechanic? Maybe both? Putting on campaign pump today and this becomes an 'emergency spare'.

 

[springer7711]

LP pump

just replaced my lift pump under warrenty, 33k miles on 2004. 5 these pumps should have been replaxced l0ong ago where is Iccoca when you need him??

 

[AlFischer]

Unsafe at any speed?

Better yet RALPH NADER!!!!!!!!



Cummins has found these pumps to be unsafe for emergency vehicles and school busses. Ours are therefore NOT unsafe. Even if they die on the RR Tracks.



Check the post on the 'Campaign Pump'... Interesting reading.

Then go buy one. Then follow all the suggestions on this group. FASS, a pusher pump, relocation, lines, filter, etc. Accept that we ain't gonna get help from DC. The documents included with ihe campaign pump also mention the (one of the) known problems with the VP44 and the criteria fro replacing under warrranty once again for emergency vehicles and school busses.

 

[KChavanu]

2 tanks of ULSD did mine in. I bought the truck used 2 years ago, so i am unsure if the lift pump is original or not, but after running 2 tanks of ULSD and having the truck sit for a week, the pump now leaks like a sieve from behind the electrical connector

 

[Shaun]

i replaced my vp in nov/06 @ 87,000 my 4th lp was just fine until ulsd met the pump. just like most prepared ctd owners i had a spare 3990105 new in box with date code 20-jul-03. i hope this one holds up. the fun never stops.

 

[Nate]

Well I'm still running the stock pump... the leak stopped 170,000 miles.