Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) new lift pump performance

[DThibault]

I have 2001 and have a BD 5 psi fule pressure light indicator on it. It would flicker under moderate power and glow steady if I put my foot into the throttle. I replaced the lift pump yesterday and the light will still flicker under hard acceleration. I have changed the fuel filter in the last 10000 miles but I suppose it could be a factor again, but I suspect the pump is not putting out what it should. Has anyone had a brand new pump not perform as it should. Thanks.

 

[klaybus]

Yep! Been known to be dead right out of the box new! Get a mechanical guage on it asap so you know whats going on.



Clay

 

[JMetzger]

klaybus is right GET A FP GAUGE ON IT ASAP. I have had 5 lift pumps on mine this is why I am putting a FASS on mine now.

 

[Tractorat]

I had the in-the-tank lift pump "fix" put in by Dodge a couple of years ago. Shortly after that, I had the led installed in my dash to warn me of low fp. The guy that installed the led warned me that, if I stepped on the gas, I would light up the led. He was right.



So, I had another lift pump installed back near the tank. Problem solved, good fp.



TRat

 

[DThibault]

I was hoping not to have to spend $500 or more just to get fuel pumped to the engine. I guess thats what comes with the territory. I have gotten along without it for 120000 miles and still on the original VP even with the EZ. Thanks for the help and answers.

 

[ChrisWilliams]

You could have a collapsing line somewhere and/or a restriction in the tank. My 01. 5 runs 13 psi @ idle and about 9 psi WOT with 21 psi boost. I have only upgraded the banjo bolt on it and it still has the original lift pump with 40K miles. Before ULSD, I got 14. 5 psi @ idle and 11 psi WOT @ full boost.



If it were me, I would put in a draw straw and 3/8 lines through to the lift pump. Then you are setup for later if you need to upgrade to a fass or something else.

 

[Tom W]

I suggest you move the pump back on the frame and put in bigger lines. It works a lot better in that position. You can buy a kit for about $100 or buy components for less. The hard part is finding the fittings to replace the banjo bolts. The kit will save you a lot of time.

 

[ChrisWilliams]

The banjo fittings are 12mm x 1. 5mm. You can get them at Jegs and Vulcan Performance has all of it.

 

[SnoKing]

Get a gauge, move the pump to the frame rail with a Vulcan or Geno's/Vulcan kit. I used Geno's kit from Vulcan that fixes everything up to the fuel filter. At the outlet of the filter, I have the tapped Geno's bango and I drilled out the schaeder(sp) bango at the VP. I idle at 14. 5-15, cruise at 13-13. 15 and at WOT I am 11+, this is with stock carter pump. I put my spare on when I replaced my VP-44 because they say for warranty (MWFI) you have to have new lift pump. Vulcan sold we two extra fittings for my spare pump, so it is very easy to swap it out. Like 5 or 10 minutes.



SNOKING

 

[Misenheimer]

DThibault

Where did you put the sending unit for the light? If you removed the schrader valve from the inlet on the VP44 and put the sending unit there the pump pulses will give false readings. Move it back to the inlet side of the filter and check it there. In this location it will only monitor the pump and not the filter but it will work correctly. The only other solution is to use a grease gun flexible extension and an orifice to remove the pulse from the line.



Good luck

Robert