Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Out of fuel=toasted lift pump? HELP

[Wood Scott]

cruise on 70 engine stumbled and shut off... just over a 1/4 tank left on the gauge. Dodge says I ran out or fuel, they put some in and it started but ran rough and told me the lift pump was bad. The guy I bought the truck from had just replaced lift and injector pump(so he says) it did look new. had it towed to a diesel shop, they replaced the lift pump and said the idiot who replaced it before left a couple of washers off the fittings and it was suckin air... . it runs great again and i filled it up with 26 gallons when I left the shop. no way Dodge put 10 gal of diesel in it. so I don't think i ran out. anyway this rookie needs some advice, or a F. A. S. S. or both... .

 

[barbwire]

It would help those willing to help you if you could list your year, make, model, list of goodies, etc etc etc.

See bottom of my post here

 

[Wood Scott]

oh yeah..meant to do that

99 2500 4x4, QC, Auto, 116000 mi. , seemingly stock except i can't find the muffler

 

[GregFisher]

dodge has had some problems with the sending unit, be careful when you get to 1/4 tank.

 

[Hale on wheels]

My truck is empty with 3/8 showing on the fuel gauge. Use your trip meter to estimate the amount of fuel in your truck. I fill up when my trip meter hits 400 miles, usually put ~21 gal. in and my guage reads 1/2. Someone posted a quick fix for the sending unit, regarding a heavier spring or something that sounded pretty easy, but you have to drop the tank and pull the unit.

 

[Wood Scott]

Thanks, I have started going off my odometer but i am wondering if running out will kill a lift pump. changed my fuel filter yesterday, seems to be running a bit smoother.

 

[MLeppen]

My truck ran out at 1/4 tank too now I also check milage. What you need is a fuel pressure guage on the 99 there is a post and pre test port plugged by brass plugs. The one closest to firewall is pre filter pressure, the FWD plug is post filter, that's where you would tap into for guage. You don't need no FASS unless your over 350-375 hp. And running out of fuel won't cause damage to LP.

 

[Wood Scott]

Thanks, that helps am going to shop for gauges this week. i guess i went for a $500 new lift pump ride. livin and learnin. :{

 

[barbwire]

Wow! Is that what the lift pump costs for the 99?? ($500. 00) I see that is an expense I can look forward to in the future. I heard the lift pump for my 04 is about $150. 00, not so hard to swallow.

 

[Wood Scott]

500 was the total, i didn't have time to swap it myself. . i think they charged me $230 for the pump and $250 for the "Diagnostic and labor". won't be going back there, he quoted me 400 on the phone. and I told him it was the LP. almost choked him. :-{}

 

[barbwire]

If only..........

500 was the total, i didn't have time to swap it myself. . i think they charged me $230 for the pump and $250 for the "Diagnostic and labor". won't be going back there, he quoted me 400 on the phone. and I told him it was the LP. almost choked him. :-{}

If only a person would have a recorder on each & everytime you talked business on the phone,huh? I think it would keep more people honest. I know how you must feel. Kinda like being at the dentist "with no insurance"!!!!

 

[Wood Scott]

to make it worse, it sounds like maybe it wasn't even bad. i don't like to thank about that though. .