Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) question concerning fuel filter refil

[DVR]

last night i changed the fuel filter on my 2001. 5 ram quad cab. it is a automatic 4x4 quad cab if it matters.



i would bump the starter and let the pump cycle but i took multiple attempts (8+) to restart the motor. during the process my odometer flashed all dashes and had pcm on the display breifly. i turned the key off and all was well. does anyone know what mode i entered or if i could have screwed anything up? it seems to run fine.



how many times do you typically have to cycle the lift pump to reprime the fuel filter on 24v trucks?



the act of restarting mine seems harder than it should be. i am concerned about the vp44 and starter. i am getting fuel pressure/egt/boost guages and edge ez installed tomorrow so a fuel pressure problem may show up. it just came from the dealer and they claimed the pressure was fine but i doubt they even checked it.



thanks in advance.

 

[Beast2B]

Once you get the fuel pressure gauge you'll know if the lift pump is adequate. Even a pump putting out very little fuel will EVENTUALLY fill up the filter! I usually cycle my LP 3 times before I let it crank, never had a problem. gauge shows 10psi fuel pressure at idle.

If your odometer was flashing dashes and PCM came up, you entered the mode of reading trouble codes. Normally, it takes three cycles of key off, on (NOT all the way to start, just run), off, on, off, on (leave it on the third time). the odo display will give any stored trouble codes in your computer.

**NOTE - this does not show every code, some codes will only show up with a scan tool**

 

[DVR]

i got the above mentioned items installed. at wide open throttle my fuel pressure falls to about 3 pounds. off to the cummins dealer tomorrow for a lift pump. it will go as high a 10psi and holds about 7psi cruising at 73mph.

 

[Beast2B]

The Dodge dealer may have checked it, but as I recall, their method of checking was changed a while back. It used to be checked by pressure, now it has to meet a certain volume in a certain time, apparantly no check for the pressure...

 

[DVR]

i think you are correct. my buddy is a diesel mechanic and said my pump would pass the dodge flow test. i am going to buy one and hopefully be done with it.

thanks for the replies.

 

[jjordan1]

I had similar problems. pressure would be 6to 7psi. Took mine in to the & they said it should be 7psi cranking & 10psi running. They ordered me a new pump under warranty. I have 56000 miles so i will have to pay the $100. 00. I have a 2001\2500

 

[jeepit]

I just changed my FF a few weeks ago and had to bump starter about 6 times till I got the motor running. I had pre filled the FF canister but I think it would have started sooner if I would have cranked motor longer. It showed 14 lbs pressure while bumping starter. It holds 14 at idle, 11 while cruising, 8 WOT. I feel these are good numbers.

 

[SHobbs]

I have found it is much easier to loosen the supply line to the VP44 then bump the starter. When fuel comes out tighten it back up. Usually takes 2 times to get the truck running after that. No fuel then the LP may be bad. I have doen it this way every time and it has worked like a charm.

 

[Beast2B]

Correct me if I'm wrong (wouldn't be the first time, not even today!) but the vp44 has a bypass in it, so leaving the line on results in the same thing - just no mess. Any pressure/volume not used by the vp44 to feed the motor goes back to the tank.

jeepit- I agree, those numbers look good, keep an eye on them for the health of your injection pump!

 

[DVR]

I got a new lift pump from the cummins dealer today for $155. I installed it tonight. It now has 14psi at idle and it keeps good pressure across the board.



The dodge dealer would not replace mine under warranty.

 

[Beast2B]

If the old pump was pushing a little, it may be worth keeping as an emergency spare. I have the DD pusher pump kit (just arrived today! ), been thinking I'll replace the stock LP at the same time and keep my old one for just-in-case situation.

 

[nutter3]

I had similar problems. pressure would be 6to 7psi. Took mine in to the & they said it should be 7psi cranking & 10psi running. They ordered me a new pump under warranty. I have 56000 miles so i will have to pay the $100. 00. I have a 2001\2500

Are you sure that you have to pay the $100? Did the dealer tell you that? I thought that the LP was covered under the 5year/100k engine warranty. I am asking because I need to get mine changed out too.

Thanks

Andre

 

[CRSmith]

I disconnect my fuel pressure gauge hose from my isolator and connect it to a clear hose I made with the correct size AN fitting. Then, I put the other end of my clear hose in a quart jar. Bump the starter, and the lift pump pumps through the filter into the VP44, out of the fuel pressure line hose (connected always to the vp44 pressure test port) and into my jar. This fills the filter housing and the vp44. It only takes one bump, and the truck starts right up every time.

 

[jmtandem]

Take the cap off the schrader valve on the fuel injection pump and while the key is 'on' and the lift pump running depress the schrader valve until fuel comes out. It is really simple and the engine will then start right up. I think air gets in the line when the filter is changed between the filter and the fuel injection pump and that air needs to be purged.

 

[Beast2B]

Well that air has to go somewhere, I've never loosened a line, cracked open a schrader or had any problem with the truck not starting after bumping several times! That's the beauty of our setup - if the engine is not turning over, therefore not using ANY fuel, and the lift pump is putting out SOME pressure, ALL air/fuel/whatever will bypass back to the tank. Even when I installed the injectors, I only had to bump/crank twice to get it running.

 

[KYLE4]

Are you sure that you have to pay the $100? Did the dealer tell you that? I thought that the LP was covered under the 5year/100k engine warranty. I am asking because I need to get mine changed out too.

Thanks

Andre

Dodge Cummins will only change lift pump if it is dead. That is why it is so important to have a fuel pressure guage in your truck. If your warranty runs up and for the last 40k of your warranty you had inadequate fuel pressure and your injection pump craps out your stuck with the bill. This happens alot believe me. Just don't buy a replacement from dealer they most charge close to 400. 00 for them find a vendor on site or go to one of cummins shops