Archived Truck is loseing power like Bad fuel or something??

[Sky]

Well I was pulling my boat and the first time I lost all power to the throttle was at about 60 MPH. I just kinda sputterd and jerked like I was running out of fuel. I would push down on the gas and nothing would happen. Finally after feathering the peddle I got power again. That was the first time it happened to me now its starting to happen all the time. I dont have a fuel pressure gauge, but Im thinking its the lift pump. I have no idea what it would be but I need to fix it ASAP. If it is the lift pump are they easy to change, what do they look like. where are they?? Any help would be appreciated, as you can tell not much mechanical exp.



Sky

 

[chuck3]

Get it to the dealer what ever it is it should be covered under warranty. Lift pumps are covered for 5yrs or 100k miles.

Have you checked your fuel filter and when was it changed if ever? Hope you did not get a tank of bad fuel.

 

[Sky]

Well I just went out and started my truck and it ran for about 10 seconds and then she went dead. I tried to start it and it wont start. When I bump the starter I dont hear the lift pump at the begining, (I think thats the sound). So anyway its dead not sure where to go from here. I think if I can change the lift pump I might be in luck. I hope.



I had just changed the fuel filter about 2k miles ago. I thought it was bad fuel too but I ran the whole tank. The fuel reminder just went off so its about empty.

 

[chuck3]

There's one way to check and make sure it is the lift pump. Take the top off the fuel cannister and drain any fuel or see if there is any in the cannister. If there is drain it and then run the lift pump and see if you get any to the filter. This way you will know.

If you need a lift pump buy it from Cummins and not the dealer or you will pay double and then some.

chuck.

 

[Whitmore]

good idea Chuck

but one maybe a little easier would be to just open the drain off the bottom of the fuel filter and than bump the key??? put a pan under the truck to catch the fuel . If you get good fuel squirting out this way than I would than change the filter again . hope this helps... ... ... ..... Kevin

 

[Rob Thomas]

Sky,



If you haven't located the liftpump yet, it's on the drivers side of the engine, just below and back of the fuel filter canister, follow the fuel line from the filter to the liftpump.



Good luck, Rob

 

[chuck3]

Yes that would not only be quicker, but less work. Good Kevin.

 

[Doc Tinker]

If you can't hear the pump run when you bump the starter, it's dead. I ran into the same situation a couple of weeks ago and I could not get it running until I replaced the pump. You might need about 1/4 tank of fuel in the truck, after the pump replacement to get it running again, that's if you plan to fix it yourself.



Doc

 

[Whitmore]

If you need a lift pump buy it from Cummins and not the dealer or you will pay double and then some.

Sky, see my sig for part #

 

[GMcLean]

Did you happen to check for power and ground at the lift pump electrical connector?

Likely is a bad lift pump though. .

 

[Sky]

Originally posted by Doc Tinker

If you can't hear the pump run when you bump the starter, it's dead. I ran into the same situation a couple of weeks ago and I could not get it running until I replaced the pump. You might need about 1/4 tank of fuel in the truck, after the pump replacement to get it running again, that's if you plan to fix it yourself.



Doc

Why would I need 1/4 tank of fuel? I have less then 1/8 (of course )

 

[Whitmore]

Sky

Looks like others agree with the same as me, I think the lift pump is at a higher point than the bottom of the tank. Therefore when the fuel level gets below 1/4 the pump will have a negative suction or a vaccuum . In order to maintain a possitive head pressure to the lift pump you need to keep the tank as full as you can, Hope this makes sence to you ... ... ... ... . Kevin

 

[Doc Tinker]

Sky, I had 1/8 tank when my pump died, the low fuel light had just come on. My situation was very much like yours. The pump would not make a sound when I bumped the starter. I replaced the pump and then it made plenty of sound, but would not pump fuel. After adding five gallons to the tank, I was able to get the truck started.



I don't believe I was out of fuel, since I have run my tank that low many times before.



As a school bus mechanic, I used to rescue bus drives who allowed their buses to run out of fuel. I could never get the buses running by adding just 5 gallons of fuel to 35 gallon than. I usually took 10 gallons. Why? I haven't the foggiest idea.



Doc

 

[CumminsPuller]

Curiousity

When the key is first turned on (not bumping the starter) you hear a pump run for a few seconds, if you bump the starter you also hear a pump run... is it the lift pump in both cases?



Jason

 

[chuck3]

Yes it is.

 

[CumminsPuller]

Another curious question... ... . what if when the key is placed on and the lift pump does not run, but bumping the starter it runs? Is this a possibility? Also, when i did my last fuel filter change, i could never fill the filter canister back up by bumping the starter. I could hear the pump run but it would not fill up. Is it possible for it to run, but not move any fuel? And you guys buying the replacement pump from cummins, do you have their part number?

If a lift pump has gone out, will the truck not run, or will the VP44 just barely suck enough fuel?



Jason

 

[Sky]

Well I got mine fixed today under the 100k cummins warranty, and it was the lift pump.



When my lift pump was dead it just eventually quit running. And then I coudnt start it again. So my pump was probly shot for awhile, FP guage is going in ASAP.

 

[claymike]

Yes it is possible for the lift pump to run and not pump any fuel. It is also possible to have 0 pressure and still have the truck run fine.



Mike

 

[EricBu12]

When I replaced my lift pump, I had to bleed the canister by the schrader valve on the inlet of the filter, after that, the truck pumped fuel and started.



I also have a 7 psi 100 gph pusher pump that will make my lift pump last a lot longer. I put a 30 micron filter before the push pump too.

 

[Whitmore]

Dodgeboy

Cummins lift pump # is in my sig, this is a carter pump and is identical to the OEM pump... ... . only diff is 140 bucks vs. 390 bucks.



The way I look at it the OEM setup is just temporary until I come up with a better fix, I am not in favor of a pusher pump although they are proving some pretty good success, my therory is now you have 3 total pumps and alot more chance for failure. I would prefer a pump in tank set up if at all possible, no more negative head and as long as you dont run it dry it will be good, the only downfall is dropping the tank to do the install, but with a empty tank it would be a cake walk. If someone were to come up with a kit comprised of a in-tank-pump rated to hold 15 psi and 60 gpm thru all conditions , the complete fuel line to complete the job and a wiring set up as well, they would sell them faster than they could put the kits together, let me reiterate that the key word is KIT I think most anyone is capable of installing a KIT if all the necessary parts and instros are supplied. This OEM crap is getting old fast and why DODGE doesnt step in and make things right than they are not concerened for their future business and show no value in the customers they have already won. Wake up DODGE and take care of your people we are the best asset you have and we the owners have a loud voice as to your future sales . Take some pride in what you have but you have left us out in the middle of nowhere with a faulty product and it is causing a bad name, we the owner/ operators are here to help you with testing and experimentation, thousands of dollars and many hours of time have already been spent toward a solution to the problem, quit being part of the problem by building more of this CRAP and engineer the problem out, be part of the solution and help the people who are experiencing the issues.

Any companies who are experienced in fuel delivery please look into this matter, give it your attention, come up with a kit for us at a fair price , make it available to all CUMMINS owners and sit back and rake in the dough ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... . help help help