Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Quick advice needed on Lift Pump issue....Please !!

[MErickson1]

This morning I drove to work (about 5 miles) and just when I was about to turn the truck off, I looked at my FP gauge and it read 3. 0-3. 5 psi... . YIKES !



So I go to start it after work and I get my regular FP reading of 12. 5-13. 5 psi, all is cool and then about 30 seconds later it drops to 3. 0-3. 5 psi... . YIKES AGAIN !



I shut the truck off and start it up again, the same thing happens, everything is fine and then 30 seconds later it drops to 3. 0-3. 5 psi.



I know I'am in the danger zone, but at what point do you really start doing damage to the VP44 ? I keep an eye on the FP gauge and this has just started happening.



Do these symptoms sound like the lift pump is toast or do you think if might be a faulty reading ? I wasn't sure if the heater relay clicking on and off when the truck is cold might cause some eratic electrical readings ? I installed a relocation kit and a new lift pump only 6 monthes and 5000 miles ago !



I left the truck at work as I don't want to cause any possible damage to the truck. I guess I don't dare... drive it home to look it over ?



Your help would be appreciated !

Thanks !

Matt

 

[VolsFan]

Hey! the same thing recently happened to me as well. The truck would run its normal fuel pressure at 15 psi and then it would suddenly drop to 5 for no reason. I just put a new lift pump on, so I felt certain that wasn't the cause, but I remembered I didn't change the fuel filter (stupid me) and I have been running a lot of anti-gel through it. Anyways, I put in a new fleetguard fuel filter, the old one was terrible! I have never seen one look that bad, and it was only like 10,000 miles since I changed the last one. That solved the problem for me, hope its something as simple as that for you!

 

[Joe Mc]

Matt & RMowl - The symptoms you describe are classic "factory POS LP" is on it's way. You should be OK driving it to & from work, just don't romp on it and keep an eye on the gauge. I would (and did after 4 factory LP failures) seek an aftermarket "system" to get a better pump located forward of the tank and on the frame. I'm partial to my Glacier system 19 - 20# idel & constant cruise no load, and never less than 16# WOT Comp @ 5/5 (see link in signature), but there are several aftermarket systems available, AIR Dog and FASS are the big ones. Don't get sticker shock just keep in mind you can do it now once or, replace the lousey factor pump a number of times until you decide to do it right. Why throw good money after bad, go the aftermarket route and be done with it.

 

[Cummins724]

Get a pump soon..... or you will have the $1200 vp44 replacement soon.

 

[MErickson1]

RMowl... . Thanks for the reply !



Yeah it sounds like it could be the same thing. I could be guilty of running the fuel a little low aswell, maybe the filter has picked up some gunk. The truck has 3/4 of a tank of fuel right now. I'll give the filter a change and see what reading I get.



Joe,

Thanks for the reply !

I think I have around 5000 miles on the second pump. I also have a Vulcan relocation kit. I thought it all would last longer than 5 monthes 5000 miles. Hopefully it's what RMowl mentioned, a plugged fuel filter. You really think it would be okay driving it home ? I vision the pressure going from 3. 0-3. 5 psi to 0-psi whan I slowly accelerate... I could be wrong. The truck has 62000 miles on it.



These trucks drive me nuts, the issues with LP's, steering, trackbars... etc !

Makes me want to sell it and buy an 04-05 3rd generation Ram.

 

[Cummins724]

I hope it is only a fuel filter... . it is possible.

 

[MErickson1]

I hope it is only a fuel filter... . it is possible.

I'am glad to hear you say that aswell, I will be crossing my fingers !



Thanks for the reply !

 

[d-iron]

The same thing happened to me, changed fuel lines moved POS stock lift pump. I had done my research and knew that stock lift pumps were weak. I had spent the money I had saved up for a new lift pump on Edge Juice w/ attitude so I would have fuel psi and egt and more power (thinking that the stock lift pump would make it till I could save more money). The stock LP didn't make it 100 mi. so I couldn't even try the new mods. I didn't drive truck until new lift pump was in and I had 15 -17 psi on read out. I am a maintenance mrg for a dairy processing plant and I work with all kinds of pumps. All pumps have curves or specs. If you choose a pump that is out of the specs that the pump is designed for, you are not not putting the right pump in place. The stock lift pump is a vein type pump. I think what kills this style of pump is dirt. Vein type will not handle much dirt. Gear type will handle dirt better, but not forever. The Air Dog is a gear type pump with 5 micron filter. That's what I went with as the pump style is better (gear) and the unit has two filters. A half hour drive to work filters approx 45 gal. hope this helps.





________________

2002 QC 4X4 SB 6sp AFE Edge w/attitude Air Dog.

 

[ILIANBG]

Where are you getting your readings from? Is it by chance the billet filter cap with a el. sender mounter on top of it?

 

[MErickson1]

So in the end it was the lift pump. This lift pump that failed was my second, it lasted 5 monthes and 4000 miles.



I'am sure glad I installed the guage pod.



Like thousands of other owners, it just makes you shake your head that Chrysler won't owe up to the LP problems..... incredible !

 

[dodger22]

My lift pump went bad and took out the injector pump as well. Because we are travelling right now I had to take it to a dealer to get fixed. The injector pump was replaced under warranty (6 months old) and Dodge no longer replaces lift pump but relocates to inside the fuel tank. The part number on my invoice is 68003865AA. Can anyone give me more info on this pump?



Thanks,



Richard

 

[jhoughton]

Mine is doing the same thing. I have the relocation kit and big line also. Put a new fuel filter with no change. However if I blow air from the pump back into the tank the pressure will be normal for about 50-80 miles. Then it will drop to 7-8 and then 3 ish. I think that there might be something in the tank. I will find out on monday when I drop it and also install the Draw Straw mod. This pump only has about 4-5k and the last one did the same. Hope I find something. We are in the process of building a new house and it's a bad time to need to get something like a FASS.

 

[Chief USA]

It would be interesting to see what type of filter or screen the fuel line pickup has in the tank. Makes me wonder if there is something on or around the fuel pickup that is restricting the flow other than crud and debry in the tank? It has been a few years for me but doesn't the submersible fuel boost pumps in the fuel cells have some type of screen or filter protecting the fuel pickup? Might be worth a looksee if you have an unservicable boost pump.

 

[Schlickenmeyer]

I think it is simpler than that. Carter (pump mfr) says to mount near the tank, I forget the distance but I think it's less than 3 feet. So Chrysler puts it 6 feet down and 2 feet up. I think they are being installed out of spec, and working themselves to death.

I gave up and put in an airdog.

 

[MErickson1]

I'am actually guilty of running my tank too low, from doing mileage checks (trip odometer). So I'am not sure if that's what contributed to my lift pump lasting the 5 monthes and 4000 miles... . probably :/



So my new lift pump is only getting 11. 5 psi and 8. 5-9. 0 psi when I peg it.

Does that seem a little low for a new pump and a Vulcan relocation kit ???

 

[jhoughton]

Well I used the pump to run the tank empty using a jumper and a fuel hose. The fuel flow was good for the first few gallons. Then you could hear a change in the pump and then for the remainder of the 1/3 tank it pumped fuel and a lot of air causing foamy fuel. This will cause my low pressures I will pull the tank Monday and see why I'm getting air. Nothing on the outside and the lines to the tank. Will install draw straw also.

 

[ILIANBG]

I did the draw straw install and my readings are normal now. The factory screens down at the pick up were badly plugged, causing low pressure readings. I had to replace the floating fuel sender unit too. The original was badly degrated, I hope the new one lasts few years.

Let us know what you find out when you drop the tank. Good luck.

Ilian

 

[jhoughton]

Well after dropping the tank and finding nothing wrong inside (very clean). I have determined that the factory hose connection at the top of the tank was allowing a small amount of air in and foaming the fuel prior to the pump. After installing the draw straw mod W/ 1/2 inch lines I actually picked up 2 psi to 13-14 and can't pull it below 11 WOT. Very pleased so far and hope that no damage was done to the injection pump while pressure was low. Time will tell but for now it's great to have it running again.

 

[jandtjil]

Jhoughton, thanks for the update!
I was wondering what you might find. Did you actually find evidence of an air leak, broken/cracked hose? Did you consider a fuel filter pre-pump at all?
Regardless the draw straw is the next mod for me as well. My just over a year old , relocated LP acted up a few days ago as well.
I never get bored with this truck, thats for sure

JJ

 

[jandtjil]

Never mind I just reread your post farther up

The fuel flow was good for the first few gallons. Then you could hear a change in the pump and then for the remainder of the 1/3 tank it pumped fuel and a lot of air causing foamy fuel. This will cause my low pressures I

JJ