Lift Pump - The saga continues!

[DennyDay]

Had a lift pump failure on my '99 (87k miles) in May while in CT. Had Ted Jannetty install a Carter add on pump near fuel tank, and except for the loud sound from the pump all was well. Finally had time to get truck to dealer for replacement of failed pump, which was done yesterday 6/20. We left the add on pump in place and just disconnected the 12v feed. Drove home after installation, and then to our shop this AM (43 miles) with no problem. Started for lunch today and after two blocks engine stumbled and quit! Coasted to side of road, and re-connected wire to add-on pump, engine started and has run fine for rest of day.



Question: Has anyone had this problem with a replacement pump failure, and are there some bad replacement pumps out there. I know many will say the hell with it just run the add on pump, and I will consider that if I can figure out how to kill the noise. Don't mind the whistle or diesel rattle, but the pump is a killer!

Thanks for your help, Denny

 

[boone]

The lift pump that is mounted by the engine really isn't designed to suck fuel from the tank that is mounted that far back. It makes it even worse that the pump now has to suck fuel through the vanes of the Carter pump. It simply can't handle that much vacuum.



Your options are to completely remove the Carter pump from the line. Kind-a risky it sounds. Or plumb a pypass line around the Carter pump. That way you could still use it in a jam.



I've been concidering added an additional lift pump at the tank myself and never really though of how noisy it would be. There's gotta be another lift pump that is less noisy.

 

[DennyDay]

Boone: I didn't think it would work at all if the add on pump was a problem. Twenty of the 43 miles I drove were at 70+ mph, without a stumble. The by-pass sounds like a good idea. If I could come up with another pump, less the racket, I'd stay with that and let the OEM pump idle.

Thanks, Denny

 

[Archive]

At 36000+ miles, I am still on my original lift pump. I have heard of several others already on their third one. I believe MikeR even got a bad one from the factory. (second one).

 

[MikeR]

My truck now has 45,000 miles and is on its 3rd lift pump.

I just finished up putting together a helper pump back by the tank.



When I took the Carter pump apart,I noticed the vanes are the kind that slide out to provide vacuum and flow. Yes,I can see where the vanes were contracted inward and fuel easily passed through the pump,but eventually the passing fuel will draw the vanes outward shutting off fuel flow. Sorta like a sliding door. I would reccomend leaving the helper pump running,because it's going to be a dangerous restriction in the fuel line if it's not running.

If the noise is bothering you,why don't you go out and get a piece of thin rubber to sandwich between the frame and pump mount bracket to insulate the noise? That's what I'm gonna do if the noise is bothersome to me



-Mike

 

[DennyDay]

MikeR: Did the rubber trick with a piece of 3/8 neoprene, didn't help much. I'm wondering if moving the pump back under the body instead of under the cab will help. Or, has any one got a better idea for a quieter pump than the Carter I have now?



Boone: Got an e-mail from Ted, said you hit the nail on the head!

Thanks,

Denny