Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Lift Pump

[JMcGarvey]

Well add me to the list of lift pump problems. In December I put a pressure gauge in and the pressure read 8-9psi at idle and WOT romping on it 1-2psi. Took it in to the dealer I bought it from and $55. 00 later they said it was fine. Said that it would probably pass the volume test but they didn't want to do it... Now to the present, just took it into the dealer in my area (move across country) this morning. Told them what had happened and that now the pump is putting out 5psi at idle, they took it in and ran the vlome test and said that it was just above the lower limit of the volume and that they would replace it. Will be recieving my 1st pump at 57,000 miles next week.

 

[jgillott]

JMcGarvey



First off, I'm assuming from your post that you are moving to Butler PA. If so, I want to be the first to welcome you to the local area. There are quite a few members here in western PA with some really nice trucks. Make sure and look us up when you get settled in.



That LP is definitely gone. 5psi at idle is way to low for comfort. I've never been a fan of this new volume test that DC told their dealers to do. Hopefully the new one will be in before there is any damage to the VP.



Justin

 

[JMcGarvey]

Thanks for the welcome! Moved back here after my time in the service was done. Been in the rea since December. Glad that the dealer here is more cooperative than out in Seattle area. Looking forward to seeing more members around this area.

 

[JMcGarvey]

Well I had my LP replaced under warranty yesterday. when iI went out to start it to go home the pressure started out at 8-9psi. As I drove it home the pressure at the first stop light reached 11-12psi. Then I ran it hard WOT up a long hill it climbed to 14-15psi after that. After arriving home I shut it off and it did the similar as stated earlier, only 7-8 psi. Is this thing working right? I was expecting to see 15psi at start.

 

[jgillott]

When you first started, was the grid heater kicking on and off? Sometimes the current draw from the heater would pull the pressure down on initial start up. The 7-8 psi still seems low to me however. When I had a LP, and it was working correctly, it would pull down to 12 psi or so at start up and then make its way up to around 14.



After the pressure builds up, do you see any fluctuation under throttle?

 

[JMcGarvey]

The grid heaters were off, 80 degree day hereand the truck was warm. I see no fluxuation as it runs, drops to around 8-9psi under WOT. I was expecting to see higher psi's when I started it.

 

[jgillott]

Sorry that it has been a few days to get back to you. .



Do you still see the same FP #'s after a few days with this new LP?



Justin

 

[JMcGarvey]

8-9 psi seem to be the norm, at idle or under load (WOT). This is after 150 miles or so.



Jeff

 

[jgillott]

Ok let me suggest a couple of things. It is very possible that the new LP that the dealer installed is defective. Some of them come out of the box bad.



The first thing you need to do is to be sure that your gauge is reading accurate. Let's get you hooked up to a mechanical test gauge. Again, yours is probably ok, but 2 readings will be better ammo when going back to the dealer. BTW, what gauge set up do you have? (Brand, Electrical, Mechanical, etc) If you don't have test gauge, I'll try and hook you up with someone around here that does.



There are several other possibilities such as a bad electrical connection, restricted filter, or plugged fuel pick up screen that could be and issue. It however, is more than likely another bad LP.



The trouble you are going through is the very reason why many of us have gone to one of the many aftermarket solutions.



Justin

 

[JMcGarvey]

Thanks for the suggestion. I believe that the gauge is fairly accurate... Had the truck to a dealer in Washington state in December last year and their readings were the same as mine. Spent $55. 00 to have them tell me that and they would not replace the pump under warranty. I was getting ready to move here at the time a hoped that it would make the trip and I would deal with the problem here in Pa.



The filter has about 7000 miles on it and could possibly be plugged or some what restricted. Will change it out in the very near future.



As for my name on the gauge I'm not sure... was bought on ebay and it is supposedly made by the same company that supplies Banks. It is a mechanical with an isolator mounted on my steering colum.



I'm not sure about the screen in the tank...



I also believe that I got a bad pump out of the box and will pursue this problem with the dealer! I still have a waranty and am trying not to spend more cash than needed now. In the future I will probably change to a frame rail mount as electric pumps are better at pushing fuel than pulling it.



Jeff

 

[Oil Burner]

Jeff,

Welcome back to PA. I am just south of you on route 8.

-Jason

 

[JMcGarvey]

Thanks, Glad to be back here. Hopefully we'll run into each other. How far down?



Jeff

 

[Oil Burner]

close to Gibsonia, but I spend a lot of time closer to Butler. We'll probably run into each other. I work well south of Pittsburgh in Canonsburg, but my wife works in Gibsonia. Just look for a white/silver quad cab short bed. Kinda like every other truck in Pittsburgh Take care.

-Jason

 

[jgillott]

Originally posted by JStull

... ... . white/silver quad cab short bed. Kinda like every other truck in Pittsburgh

Easy Jason... ... . I almost resemble that comment



Hey don't you think that we should have another get together to welcome our new neighbor.



Justin

 

[Oil Burner]

Justin,

No harm intended. I ordered mine so I made sure I liked the colors. But I guess everyone does because I see alot of white/silver rams, especially half tons



Yep, time for wings and beer again. With the "northern" contingent starting to grow, maybe we should have a wing day closer to the other half of the group. A little change of pace. What do ya think? Maybe Sled Puller will show up if we have a meeting closer to him. Quaker Steak in Cranberry sounds good.



-Jason

 

[jgillott]

Jason..... I was thinking the same thing. A northern trip would be nice change of pace.

 

[Oil Burner]

Justin,

sounds great to me. Maybe Jeff will have an easier time getting together with us if we have it up north. It would be nice to get together one more time before Muncie, maybe in May to finalize our plans and everything. I can't wait till June 5th Lets move over to the regional events forum and set one up.

-Jason