Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Metal shavings in fuel strainer

[Willys]

and other scary stories...



for reference the truck is a 1996 2500 automatic 4wd, 245k miles



1. I took apart the fuel strainer bowl today to clean the filter, and found small metal flakes and shavings inside. There's only a small amount but I sure would like to know where they came from. Has anyone else experienced this or know what might cause it? I dont suppose it is that bad a problem as long as its normal wear on a part but I've never noticed anything like this when cleaning the strainer before. The last time was about 25-30k miles ago.



2. Where could I buy a new strainer and o-ring set(reasonably priced and hopefully online)? The cummins dealer I asked recently tried to sell me a new lift pump- which I hope I dont need anytime soon, but isnt what I asked for. They said the individual strainer was only available through Dodge.



3. When removing the old fuel filter canister, the 'stud' that holds it on came off as well. :--) The stud was stuck and could not be turned off either direction, so out came the sawzall. It wasn't too hard to get the filter off the stud then. A heads up when changing the filter- make sure the stud is tight every time or it can vibrate loose(now I know why the filter loosened on me 8 months ago). Use an allen 5/16".



Andy

 

[ata]

The Part No. for the Screen-Nut-Gasket kit from Cummin's is 3834185-S Part No. for Dodge is 04762962. The metal that you found in the Pre Filter is probably from the lift pump. Cummin's price was 8 times cheaper then Dodge.

 

[Willys]

Thanks for the pn's! I'm not too surprised the cummins part is cheaper- they usually are... but 8 times? wow



How can I tell if I should replace my lift pump, a pressure test?



Andy

 

[ata]

It's a piston type pump and with the miles you have on it I'm sure it's about due if it hasn't been changed out earlier. The Service Manual says the lift pump should have 17 to 22 psi at idle and 25 to 30 psi at 2500 r. p. m. But that's if the Over Flow valve is working right. If the fuel pressure is low, pinch the retrun fuel line and see if the fuel pressure will jump above 40 psi. (but only pinch it for a second just enough time to see if the gauge will jump) That will tell you if the pump is good and if the over flow valve needs replacing. The Over Flow valve is on the right front side of the injection pump it has a 5/16 metal line that comes off of it.