Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Metal in Fuel Filter

[roarinram]

I was going down the road the other morning, as normal, and my truck started jerking back and forth. I figured the transmission was fixing to fall out, so I pulled into the service station. I checked the transmission fluid, oil, everything that I could without tools and everything looked fine. I started the truck up to take back off down the road. Before I could even shift out of park, the truck sputtered and cut off. Tried to crank it up again, same thing over. Luckily, one of my buddies who is a state trooper pulled up and got me a deal on a wrecker to tow my truck to my mechanic. After a couple tries on stuff, he discovered rubber and metal in my fuel filter. He installed a new fuel filter and cranked her up. She ran like a charm. He drove the truck for about 20 miles and never had a problem. I went and picked the truck up and drove about 30 miles. When I was probably 2 miles from the house, she started sputtering and jerking back and forth again. I haven't had a chance to drop the fuel filter again, but will do it in the morning and post the results. Does anyone have a clue to what might have cause metal and rubber to enter my fuel filter? Could it possibly be a pump falling apart?



Thanks,

Justin



98. 5 / 3500 / 4x4 / 24 valve / 110K mi

 

[BDMiller]

I wonder if your fuel tank module is disintegrating & clogging your fuel lines. I'm really just guessing but mine failed a few months ago & the tech said these things just fall appart.

 

[Snow man]

If the metal is small shavngs,its def the lift pump wearing out,The rubber mst be coming from a line,since the pump itself is all steel. If a line is rotting on the insode,and collapsing,this will cause your problems. i think i would disconnect the fuel line on the discharge side of the lift pump,and cycle the key to get the run to run,take a line run it into a clean glass jar or bucket,and see what comes out of it,and if the flow stops then starts up again. if its contaminated with rubber/metal,your best bet would be to replace the lines to the tank,and drop the tank for a cleaning/inspection. For now id want to know if the truck was dying from the filter plugging OR the lines collapsing,or strainer plugging.

 

[MKizziah]

I found metal shavings in my filter also, after my wife was stranded by a no start. I had just replaced the lift pump 10k mi. prior! This was first of many problems ending in a VP44 replacement. I dumped the whole stock fuel system when with a FASS , new fuel lines, and a guage. You may want to consider FASS , bit more expensive but worth the dependabiliy and extra 5 micron filtration. I got mine from Peirs for under $450 US.



I figure it well's worth it. If a cheesy $100 LP can take out my $1200 VP44, then $450 is fair insurance.





Just a thought,



Cheers,

Matty