Need advise on stalling truck

[DPKetchum]

Have a friend with a 03 2500 2wd 48re bone stock. 133k towing 8k 90% of the time. In the last 10 days it starts on cold start and dies sometimes 2 or 3 times. Once in a while on hot restart idle hunts and when driven 50 or 100 feet stalls. On restart idle is smooth and runs ok. Two fuel filters this week as a just in case. Nothing in filters or bowl. NO check engine light. Advise please.

 

[KKlepfer]

Has your friend replaced his lift pump yet? You'll get a code when it completely dies, but I'm not sure if a code trips as it's going out. I just replaced my stock LP with a Diesel Dynamics pusher pump kit. I have 55k on my truck and the stock LP was still working but from what I've been reading on this site, it was living on borrowed time. So I went ahead and replaced it now. It's less expensive than the Fass pump but louder than I expected. Looks like he's out of warranty. The dealer replaces the stock pump with an in tank version.

 

[JasonCzerak]

Has your friend replaced his lift pump yet? You'll get a code when it completely dies, but I'm not sure if a code trips as it's going out. I just replaced my stock LP with a Diesel Dynamics pusher pump kit. I have 55k on my truck and the stock LP was still working but from what I've been reading on this site, it was living on borrowed time. So I went ahead and replaced it now. It's less expensive than the Fass pump but louder than I expected. Looks like he's out of warranty. The dealer replaces the stock pump with an in tank version.

When you replaced your lift pump, did you feel an increase in over all performace? Expecially top end power?



I'm curious as I can get good power in 1-3rd gear and then she seems to fall short... It's a STRUGGLE to get EGT to 1250 with the HOT juice. Backdowns OFF.



I'm starting to think this is my issue next.

 

[DPKetchum]

His truck is bone stock. Nothing but regular maintance. Original brakes,belt etc.

 

[JasonCzerak]

His truck is bone stock. Nothing but regular maintance. Original brakes,belt etc.

I can read that! I was refering to KKlepfer's experience when he replaced his LP.

 

[DPKetchum]

And I was replying to KKLEPFER's question

 

[JasonCzerak]

And I was replying to KKLEPFER's question

Sorry, you didn't quote the orignal question.

 

[KKlepfer]

Jason,

I haven't experienced any more power at top end. I'm not saying that there is no increase in power... Its just not noticable. I guess the CP3 pump only needs flow not pressure. I guess the european cummins don't even have a lift pump. I can't confirm that... only read it on TDR. The pusher pump just gives me peace of mind and hopefully longevity. I don't think anyone is claiming increases in power due to aftermarket LP.

 

[JasonCzerak]

Jason,

I haven't experienced any more power at top end. I'm not saying that there is no increase in power... Its just not noticable. I guess the CP3 pump only needs flow not pressure. I guess the european cummins don't even have a lift pump. I can't confirm that... only read it on TDR. The pusher pump just gives me peace of mind and hopefully longevity. I don't think anyone is claiming increases in power due to aftermarket LP.

hmmm maybe as the pump is dieing, it's restricting the flow? hmmm back to the drawing board.

 

[OHale]

Have a friend with a 03 2500 2wd 48re bone stock. 133k towing 8k 90% of the time. In the last 10 days it starts on cold start and dies sometimes 2 or 3 times. Once in a while on hot restart idle hunts and when driven 50 or 100 feet stalls. On restart idle is smooth and runs ok. Two fuel filters this week as a just in case. Nothing in filters or bowl. NO check engine light. Advise please.

The dealer can test your friend's LP for signs of failure. That might be a good place to start. You can still get a stock LP from Cummins if he needs to replace it.



One thing to try is to switch the ignition to the 'on' position without cranking and listen to the LP. It should run for a relatively short time before stopping, indicating it has pressurized the fuel line. If it runs a long time or sounds 'weird' something may be up with it.



I thought I had a bad lift pump last week but instead a fuel line hose clamp had broken allowing the LP to suck air into the system. Really acted like a bad LP but it wasn't. No fuel leaks, I just happened to see the broken clamp under the truck.

 

[DPKetchum]

I asked him to listen for it. Says He's NEVER heard it run. I asked today and with hood up says he hears nothing at all. Three DEALERS kinda in the area NONE with a diesel tech!!!!!! Two WON"T write it up,said no point,no techs that know anything about it.

 

[OHale]

I asked him to listen for it. Says He's NEVER heard it run. I asked today and with hood up says he hears nothing at all. Three DEALERS kinda in the area NONE with a diesel tech!!!!!! Two WON"T write it up,said no point,no techs that know anything about it.

Now THAT is a problem. I see you are in Ga. I used to live near Alston many years back. I used to have to drive to Savannah to get my foreign car serviced and they still knew less about the car than I did. If your friend's truck can be driven it might be worth calling around and finding a dealership that knows what's what and driving the extra miles. If his LP is going he will eventually be left stranded somewhere. Might be a good opportunity to find a shop he can take the truck to in the future. If his LP does quit he will have to be towed somewhere or change out the pump himself.



The other idea would be to find a Cummins dealer (www.cummins.com) If they aren't diesel techs then I can't think who would be. I hope he gets his problem solved.

 

[DPKetchum]

Does his issue sound like a lift pump? No problem towing and he drives hard towing or not. Its nots missed a beat under load or power YET. LOL

 

[OHale]

Does his issue sound like a lift pump? No problem towing and he drives hard towing or not. Its nots missed a beat under load or power YET. LOL

Quite possibly. I'd still find a proper diesel tech and have it checked out if it were my truck. A bad crank sensor will make the truck start rough but once started would keep on going. A failing pump may just drop dead one day, or run poorly for a while. You know now its not a clogged fuel filter. You could swap out the pump but your friend would be out about $300 if it didn't solve the problem.



I had a gas Crown Victoria I drove across country to Colorado. At about 80mph I had a total flameout . It was the part of west Kansas where even a jackrabbit carries his lunch. Right at sunset. Prepared to bivouac for the night. I thought I would try the engine one more time. It lit off and so did I. It quit again the next day then restarted. I finally got to the dealer and had it fixed. Electical fuel pumps sometimes fail like that.



Now you've done it you got me telling my stupid stories again!

 

[CPittman]

Sounds like the lift pump... when my under-hood pump failed the truck just stopped. I cranked the starter several times and it would start and then die again. It would eventually stay running and I was able to limp into a dealer where I shut it off and restarted it several times with no problem (typical... ). Left the dealer and it quit again about a mile down the road. I had a difficult time getting it started and keeping it running but was finally able to dead-pedal it back to the dealer where the new in-tank retro-fit was installed. No problems since then.