Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Lift Pump Warranty

[wcoomes]

Well, the dealer says my lift pump needs replaced. I have just under 70,000 miles on this '01 3500 and I'm being told first I'm two plus weeks outside the warranty. I ask to speak to the service manager, he calls me back and tries to claim Chrysler has denied the claim stating the lift pump is part of the emissions system and only has a 50,000 mi warranty! They want $952 to fix, I'm on the phone with Chrysler now. Any help/suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.

 

[Joe Mc]

My LP was covered on the 5 year/100k Cummins warranty. If your's is bolted to the engine it is considered part of the Cummins package. However, I think all warranty LP replacements are of the in-tank nature due to recent threads I've read here. I'm not sure if you have an option or not? You can never tell what a particullar dealer will try. By the way ask if they are using the "in service" date (I think that should be used instead of the build date) versus the build date when talking warranty. At this point I'd recommend going to another dealer - these guys appear to be trying to stick it to you. Another thought on not using the in-tank pump - if you have something else installed elsewhere - if your injection pump takes a dump afterwards they could put the screws to that too. Like I suggested try another dealer ask if you "have" to use the (DC upgrade) in-tank pump or can't they just replace with original equipment without screwing the warranty. Hope someone with more current knowledge of warranty issues will chime in soon.



I'd be certain to say that DC has to cover the LP repair - it kind of depends on what date they are using though. Be sure to ask what date the warranty went into effect and if that date is the in-service or build date. Try another dealer.



Here's a good thing - if you find that you are out of warranty - for sure. Tell them to go pound sand :-laf and have one of the more reliable aftermarket pumps installed. At that point you are your own warranty station - Bombs away

 

[terrywerm]

$952!!! Yikes!

I've got a spare stock LP sitting under my driver's seat that I'll put in for ya for half that. :-laf



All kidding aside, my first LP was replaced under warranty - no questions asked, and I had about 70 K on the clock at the time. A few weeks later they replaced my injector pump too!



Since then, my warranty expired, and there were two things I added right away: a fuel pressure gauge and a spare lift pump under the seat. I can change it in fairly short order if I need to with just a few wrenches. I bought the pump at a local Peterbilt dealer since they are also a Cummins shop. I think I paid $130 for the pump.



I also relocated my original pump to the frame, back by the tank. Makes it easier to change, and I suspect it will increase it's life as well. There's 80K on the current pump and it's doing ok so far, but then again I'm not going to hold my breath, either!

 

[JKinney]

Find the $70. 00 lift pump campain thread, read about and call the local cummins dealer and see if you can get one. It is easier to replace the pump yourself than to deal with these dealers.

 

[Thomas]

You will get several answers when you ask questions on TDR forums regarding the various warranties that you apply to Cummins/Rams—YES or NO. Both can't be right. Here is the wording found in model years 1999, 2000, & 2001 (and likely model year 2002) Warranty Information booklets. Read what's covered under the Cummins Diesel Engine Limited Warranty (it's section 2. 6 in the Warranty Information booklets).

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/1038/page12gn7.jpg

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/7175/page13jo9.jpg

As many times as I've looked at the Cummins Diesel Engine Limited Warranty, I have yet to find the part that says If your's is bolted to the engine it is considered part of the Cummins package I suggest you read your entire Warranty Information booklet and decide if the transfer (lift) pump on your Ram was covered at the time you presented the problem to the dealer.

That said, there are dealers that will replace the transfer (lift) pump under the Cummins Diesel Engine Limited Warranty—whether they were obligated to or not.

I recommend you purchase a new external lift pump from a non-Mopar source—Cummins, Freightliner, etc. —and install it yourself. The going rate is about $160, although a few of us have figured out how to score campaign pumps at about $60—or less.

Good luck.

 

[DSimes]

I had both my LP and IP replace last week under the Cummins 100k warranty. They installed the in tank pump of course since the old LP is no longer offered. This is on an 02' 3500 with 85k miles. The dealer is Chrysler/Jeep and they don't even sell Dodge vehicles. They didn't hassle me one bit.

 

[wcoomes]

I talked to Sherry at the Chrysler warranty, after being put on hold for over 15 minutes, I advised I had to leave for a meeting. she called me back on my cell a half hour later, said my inservice date was 10/27/01 and I was out of warranty. I asked for a supervisor and talked to a "Billy", a real first-class jerk who would not give me another supervisor and hung up on me and I didn't even curse at him. When I called back of course they had closed for the day. I think I'll call the Cummins dealer in the AM.

 

[wcoomes]

By the way, I have a FP gauge. It was reading 0-1/2 lb driving home on I-65 Monday evening. It read 0 last month on the way to work and I took it in and they cleared a wastegate code and it didn't happen again. Had they replaced the LP then, I would have been within the five years.

 

[Thomas]

... I would have been within the five years.

What five years are you talking about? If you're referring to the Cummins Diesel Engine Limited Warranty (linked in my earlier post), read it very carefully. Two things to notice:

• The Cummins Diesel Engine Limited Warranty begins at the end of the Basic Warranty
• The transfer (lift) pump is not listed as a covered part

 

[Bob4x4]

You guys are making this way to complicated... ... ... the dealer only has to run your vin and enter either the part # or the labor op # and the report will tell you if it is covered,which warranty covers it and if any deductible applies.



Bob

 

[DMannon]

Do yourself and your injection pump a favor... . bite the bullet now and put in an aftermarket lift pump and fuel line kit.



You'll be happier, more confident with your fuel system, and minus all the headaches and poor workmanship you'll encounter at Dodge dealerships.



It may cost you $500 to put in a new system, but how much time, headache and heartache are you spending fighting with the dealership for replacement of what is, in the general consensus of TDR users, the main reason for failure of your VP44?



Just my opinion...

 

[Joe Mc]

As many times as I've looked at the Cummins Diesel Engine Limited Warranty, I have yet to find the part that says If your's is bolted to the engine it is considered part of the Cummins package I suggest you read your entire Warranty Information booklet and decide if the transfer (lift) pump on your Ram was covered at the time you presented the problem to the dealer.

You know something I've never seen that either. However, I was told "if it's a fuel system component (hence the use of "your's" in my reply) that is bolted to the engine, then it's covered by the 5/100". This was explained to me by the Service Manager @ dealer that replaced mine @ 99,867 miles. The reason why I mentioned; "You can never tell what a particullar dealer will try. "



Geese :{

 

[EWatters]

Sounds like it's mainly up to the individual dealer rather than being clear cut. With the problems we have & the change to the, in the tank pump, is there some sort of TSB to refer to? I'm on my 3rd stock lp and a FASS is sitting on the shelf going in this weekend. Gauge is telling me it's time and I'm tired of changing the stock one every year. Dealer did the 1st one, w/h IP, under warranty @ 97000 mi. That was in 2003.

 

[Thomas]

Because of recent events I've become somewhat of an layman expert on the Cummins Diesel Engine Limited Warranty. I know exactly what it says and what DaimlerChrysler wants you to believe it says (two different things).

It's likely most service writers don't know what it says and that is the reason we hear of different TDR members getting different results for the same problem.

 

[PBoland]

This happened to me first hand. Bought the truck (used) knowing very little from a dealer. A friend of mine identified the bad lift pump. Since I had a used vehicle warranty it was covered (after much debate, fighting, etc... ) they saw it my way. . They installed the "in tank" model. I really didn't know my options at the time and hey it was covered. It works OK, but when I get on it or climbing grade she drops below 5lbs (not real great). Tends to happen around 2100 RPM. I get over 8-13 lbs under 2000. I would recommend the standard lift pump relocated to the frame rail. A number of people have recommended that.



Now here's my question. Since mine is in the tank, can I install a second (standard lift pump) in-line? Has anyone done it. Doe's any manufacturer have a wiring harness available or do I have to wire it in myself. I'm a wizz with heatshrink and solder. I just don't want to go through the hassle it its a waste of time.

 

[wcoomes]

As I am mechanically challeged (I barely know which end of the wrench goes on the bolt), Jim Jessup of Diesel Tune Up, North Vernon, IN installed a new lift pump, one of the $70 Cummins lift pumps, for $225. Jim worked for Cummins for 33 years and retired six years ago. On his card he lists himself as a "Cummins B Series Specialist". He has garages including dealers call him asking questions on how to fix a peculiar problems. I mentioned TDR and Jim advised Bob Patton tried to get him to wite some articles while he was still employed at Cummins and Cummins wouldn't allow it.



To further my story, on 10/9 on the way to work I had my fuel pressure gauge drop to zero, as couple of seconds later it came back up to 10. As I was leaving that Saturday for DC and was taking my fifth wheel , I drove to the dealer that evening to have ot checked out. I was told I hade a P0234 code which indicated a wastegate sticking. The dealer was told by Dc to clear the code, drive the truck and see if there was a recurrence of the problem. There was not until Moday.



I mentioned this to Mr Jessup . He asked how many miles I had on my truck, I told him 68,451. He then looked over the truck and told me that I did not have a sticking wastegate, the drop in fuel pressure caused the code. He further advised that I have a clean stock truck, less than 200,000+ miles, and said "there's nothing wrong with your wastegate". So my lift pump was bad then. It's only by the Grace of the Almighty that I didn't get stranded somewhere between Indianapolis and DC or on the side of one of those mountains in WV.

 

[Bob4x4]

Now here's my question. Since mine is in the tank, can I install a second (standard lift pump) in-line? Has anyone done it. Doe's any manufacturer have a wiring harness available or do I have to wire it in myself. I'm a wizz with heatshrink and solder. I just don't want to go through the hassle it its a waste of time.

I haven't seen any commercialy available wiring harnesses to do exactly what you want,but it would not take much to make your own ,I have done it many times.



Bob

 

[DMannon]

Now here's my question. Since mine is in the tank, can I install a second (standard lift pump) in-line? Has anyone done it. Doe's any manufacturer have a wiring harness available or do I have to wire it in myself. I'm a wizz with heatshrink and solder. I just don't want to go through the hassle it its a waste of time.

Call Richard at Glacier... he'll have everything you need and will be able to talk you through the process.

http://www.glacierdieselpower.com/index.asp

509-993-4923

 

[JKinney]

Vulcan also has the harness

 

[Joe Mc]

Call Richard at Glacier... he'll have everything you need and will be able to talk you through the process.

http://www.glacierdieselpower.com/index.asp

509-993-4923

I agree w/DMannon - Rick is very Customer Service oriented and has great products - see GFS-392 link in my signature. 18-19 # @ idle and 16-17 WOT w/Comp on 5/4.