Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Lift Pump

[RAMSTER21]

On Tuesday, I changed my Fuel Filter for the first time on my 01, and guess what no fuel pressure.



Yes, I followed all the steps involved with attempting to prime the filter and get the air out of the lines. But nadda.



I called my local dealership and informed them and they suggest just bleed the lines, so I tried and to no avail.



Wednesday I bought a fuel pressure gauge and guess what zero pressure readings.



Had towed to the dealer and on Friday, the replaced the lift pump and surprise, It runs like a champ again.



Thanks for all the tips, you guys rock and it's good to be a part of this organization.



Later, got to install my DiabloSport Powerpuck and Rock on.

 

[DHoleman]

LIke you I alos have an01' and my next install is gong to be a set of gauges, including fuel pressure,Good Luck DH

 

[RichardFerrell]

Dholeman,



I noticed you had the superchips unit. How is it doing for you? Thanks in advance!

 

[motohead84]

I am having somewhat of the same problem of no fuel pressure on my 01. Did the dealer pull any codes?



I am just trying to troubleshoot mine before it hits the dealer

 

[RAMSTER21]

No Codes, just went to change fuel filter and no pressure.

Check both schrader values, with a manual fuel gauge and no pressure.



The truck wouldn't repressurize the fuel system, I knew something was wrong a few months ago, when climbing hills, the power used to drop off a little bit.



Once again it runs like a raped ape.

 

[Muleskinner]

Fuel preasure question

I checked mine today. 10 pounds at idle. Rev it up standing still, 6 pounds. Wide open throttle running through the gears, 1 pound. What should it be? Anyone.

 

[RichardFerrell]

Had a lot of trouble with my new FP gauge. Installed new LP and still had the same variable readings. Took the sender off the Vp fitting and installed it off the engine. While doing this found the connections to the sender only finger tight. Fixed that problem and new pump shows 16 to 17 psi at idle, empty cruise at 12 psi, towing at 10. Never lower than 8 at WOT. This on cummins pump.

 

[Muleskinner]

Originally posted by RichardFerrell

Had a lot of trouble with my new FP gauge. Installed new LP and still had the same variable readings. Took the sender off the Vp fitting and installed it off the engine. While doing this found the connections to the sender only finger tight. Fixed that problem and new pump shows 16 to 17 psi at idle, empty cruise at 12 psi, towing at 10. Never lower than 8 at WOT. This on cummins pump.

I used a manual gauge off of the injection pump pressure check valve.

 

[jhoughton]

Muleskinner

Mine was doing the same thing. Then I noticed that it would drop to 5psi at idle sometime. Felt the pump when truck was running. It hav a good vibration different than the engine vibs. Went ahead and changed out with a new one. Now have a solid 15psi at idle and 13psi WOT. Took the old one apart, the pump part was fine, however the motor shaft had a lot of play. The armature was rubbing and lugging the pump down. Not sure how much longer it would have lasted. When I first check my fuel pressure I had 12psi about 4 monsths ago. Might have driven the truck 1000 mile since. Seems that it did not last long. Truck has 57k on it. This is my first lift pump. Jim

 

[Muleskinner]

Jim:



I'm thinking about solving the problem by installing a fuel pump back at the tank and getting rid of the stock lift pump. The only problem I have is my truck is still in warranty as far as the lift pump and the injection pump go. I know if I put another pump on the dealer will not warranty the injection pump if it goes out.

 

[Bob4x4]

Muleskinner,

Take it in,get a new pump on their dime,you will have plenty of time to spend your money on the the fun stuff.



Bob

 

[Muleskinner]

Good news from DC

I just spoke with Chrysler Customer Service Division. They confirmed putting an auxiliary fuel pump on at the tank to assist the factory LP would not void the warranty, unless the auxiliary pump causes the problem. I documented the conversation for prosperity. I will now add a fuel pump back by the tank and a good filter to go with it. I am hesitant to remove the stock LP and only run the new pump, as I'm sure that would give the dealer a reason to deny a failed VP44.

 

[hmartin]

Hey Muleskinner, did you happen to mention any certain type of auxillary pump? After reading all the posts on everything from FASS to Wildcats kit to relocating the stock lift pump I too was concerned about what if? My what if is what if I fry the injector pump? So screw it I though the auxillary pump was extra insurance for the VP-44 in the long run.

 

[Muleskinner]

No we did not talk about any certain brand of pump. What I told the rep was I was a member of TDR. I told him a lot of members were having continual problems with the stock LP. I told him that a lot of guys were adding an auxiliary pump back at the fuel tank to keep the fuel supply to the VP44 in case the LP dies.



He put me on hold for about five minutes. When he returned he told me he wanted to confirm his beliefs with an engineer that it would not affect or void the warranty. He said the only way it would affect the warranty was if the non factory auxiliary pump caused the LP or VP44 to fail. He seemed to be aware that the stock LP was prone to fail.



So was the parts manager at my local dealer. He said there is a new updated part number for the LP. He believes the new LP may be better than the older LP's.

 

[terrywerm]

I sure am glad to hear that they may have a newer and hopefully better lift pump available, my 01 is going in to the dealer for a new one in the morning, under warranty of course.



About two weeks ago I noticed an occasional stumble in the engine, checked the FP, (don't have a permanent guage yet) and found it to be OK. The problem got worse today so I decided to change the fuel filter. Once I had the filter out, and before draining the filter housing I decided to bump the starter just to be sure that it was still pumping fuel. Yes, I know, I should have checked the pressure again BEFORE starting to change the filter. Well, when I bumped the starter, I could hear the LP run, but no new fuel coming into the filter housing. So, I put the new filter in, tightened the cap and prayed for the best. I started her up, and she stumbled after a minute but kept running.



Now it only needs to run long enough to make the 20 miles to the dealer.



Once the warranty is gone I will definitely be adding another pump by the tank, or at the very least will relocate the stock pump. I figure it should be much easier to change when it's mounted to the frame rather than on the engine block.



Thanks for all the great info everyone!



Terry

 

[Bob4x4]

Sorry new part # is not that new just superceded from original #

Current # is still 5080885AA

 

[krs]

"They confirmed putting an auxiliary fuel pump on at the tank to assist the factory LP would not void the warranty, unless the auxiliary pump causes the problem"



This could give a less than highly scrupled dealer all he needs to say that the add-on pump DID cause any subsequent failure. How could you prove that it did not?



"he told me he wanted to confirm his beliefs with an engineer that it would not affect or void the warranty"



No engineer would say that an auxilliary pump will not cause a failure without first having completed extensive testing and even then he'd only be likely to say that there is a low probability of a resulting failure.



I wouldn't rely on any of that bull from a dealer. Just wait until the warranty is over before making modifications if you want to be sure to have the warranty work for you.

 

[gsdog1]

Engineers don't get to make decisions anymore... ... . sorry, did I wake up on the wrong side of the bed again... .



I do agree with KRS.



Matt

 

[Muleskinner]

Originally posted by KRS

"They confirmed putting an auxiliary fuel pump on at the tank to assist the factory LP would not void the warranty, unless the auxiliary pump causes the problem"



This could give a less than highly scrupled dealer all he needs to say that the add-on pump DID cause any subsequent failure. How could you prove that it did not?



"he told me he wanted to confirm his beliefs with an engineer that it would not affect or void the warranty"



No engineer would say that an auxilliary pump will not cause a failure without first having completed extensive testing and even then he'd only be likely to say that there is a low probability of a resulting failure.



I wouldn't rely on any of that bull from a dealer. Just wait until the warranty is over before making modifications if you want to be sure to have the warranty work for you.

KRS:



I hear what you are saying, but I documented the guy's name I spoke with from DC in Michigan, date and time of call. If the dealer tried to deny the claim, I would go to DC and raise hell. They could still deny the claim, but I'm sure if I filed a small claims law suit naming the guy from DC and the dealer I would win.



It would be just as hard for them to prove in court the part caused the problem as it would be for me to prove it did not. The judges here tend to go with the little guy over the big corporations, especially if you sound inteligent and don't get emotional in court.



I know from experiance. I was a parts and service director for Ford dealers for a long time. I lost cases in small claims court to customers who were dead wrong all the time. The judges are liberal and don't know anything about vehicles. Most have been burned by a dealer or a private garage at one time or another themselves.



Also, service by mail is legal here and if the DC rep did not show up, I would win the judgement. I can play the game with the DC guys as well as anyone else.

 

[kah68]

Sounds like you have way too much time on your hands.