Archived Lift pump problems???

[Okie-Go]

I was on the way to the farm and the truck started acting like it was starving for fuel. I bought a fuel filter and put it on and after this it is still doing it. I left the truck at the farm and had my step-dad come get me. 225 miles one way so he is a good guy. I need to get it home as I was afraid of really screwing something up. I change fuel filters every 10K and the truck has 90,030 miles on it. Does it sound like the lift pump thing I have heard so much about?

 

[B.G. Smith]

Lift pump

Sorry to hear you are having problems. When my pump failed it ran fine, just wouldn't start one morning. Local dealer kept it for a week and got it running again, brought it home and checked the fuel pressure, nada. I called Weaver Bros. in Kirbyville, they picked it up and had it changed out that afternoon. It seems the VP 44 will run even without the lift pump working as long as no air gets into the system. Good luck, bg

 

[fj40dave]

Lift Pump

Mine quit on me outa the blue - on my way back from Moab, UT when I was out in the middle of nowhere in Eastern Oregon..... had it towed back to Burns and the dealer fixed it in about 1/2 an hour - on a Saturday after calling in a grumpy old guy that knows diesels!!!! (yep - a "plug" for the Dodge dealer in Burns!)

Anyway... .

To quickly tell if your lift pump is going bad:

turn your key to "on"... . listen for the "pbzzzzt" noise that the pump makes as it pressurizes before ya start the truck..... if ya hear it - it should be ok... . if ya don't... . well, sounds like mine did!

The dealer will warranty the pump - it's a recall item I found out (at least the dealer in Burns did mine for free



Dave Alberts

2001 Quad 4x4

 

[Joe Mc]

Okie-go - Get that sucker to the dealer and get the lift pump (or maybe the VP-44) replaced before it goes out of warranty. My LP died @ 97k and they replaced it no questions. Tell them loss of power towing and reduced mileage - seems to be the magic words, not sure why but, it works.



Good luck.

 

[BillGotthelf]

As expensive as the vp44 is no one should be running their truck without a fuel pressure gauge. Yes the vp44 can run without any fuel pressure to it. It won't last long that way as it will not have any fuel for cooling. uel pressure gauges are cheap insurance. Also I have heard many near zero pressure fuel pumps and most of them sounded just like a good pump did. Only sure way is a pressure check-should be 10+ pounds at idle minimum.

 

[DMC]

After reading what you guys are saying about the VP44. It appears to me that if the lift pump fails and you dont have a fuel pressure gauge. Then you wont know you have a problem until the VP44 gives up. A bad proposition at best. Hence the opinion of needing a fuel pressure gauge pre fuel pump.



Good Luck



Don

 

[llawrence]

Hey Guys,

i have a question concerning this topic. I have about 24,000 miles on my rig. I have no loss of power, but have noticed that my fuel mileage is down over the last 2 fill ups. I usually get around 375miles per tank and the last two fill ups have gotten me 275 miles and 310 miles. Could this be a sign of lift pump failure? The only sure way to know is to check the fuel pressure? One final question: Does anybody know of a good electric fuel pressure gauge? Sounds to me like cheap insurance. Any thoughts will be appreciated.

Larry

 

[AggieJustin]

You can get the Westach for $69 thru Geno's. I've got one, and it works well. It's one of the lowest priced electric fuel pressure gauges out there.



The change in fuel mileage could be due to a failing pump, it would be best to get it checked out. If not, it could be a fuel quality problem or possibly your IAT sensor is fouled. There are quite a few reasons that your fuel mileage falls off.