Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) What the dealer just told me about lift pumps

[Mingoglia]

OK. I know everyone just loves to see threads about lift pumps... . it's almost like beating a dead horse. Well, I'm at 35,700 mi and as my usual self dictates I procrastinated getting some warranty work done that I've been putting off.



Well, anyway, since I was there I discussed with the service advisor my lift pump issues. I told him that my pressure is at 10psi at idle but just tapping the accelerator causes it to go down to around 7 and slowly cruising down the street in second gear yields around 3-4psi and full throttle quickly goes down to zero! I also let him know that I check the pre and post filter test ports every 5,000 mi when I change my oil and I replace the filter every 10,000 mi regardless of pressure drop... . and finally, I let him know that I just replaced the filter about 1,000 mi ago.



All this is absolutely true. The advisor got on the phone with his "lead" diesel mechanic and he said that there's nothing he can do because Chrysler isn't replacing lift pumps unless it's completely dead... and the advisor continued on saying that when they die you know because the truck is completely dead and won't start... . and that this usually never happens before 80,000 mi in which I'd still be under warranty (I told him I'd give him a call when I change my fuel filter and am unable to prime the air out of the system due to the dead lift pump). I guess the advisor missed my TDR receiver cover and grill emblem when he decided to blow smoke up my you know what.



Well, anyway... the diesel mechanic told the advisor that Chrysler is coming out with a new test procedure this June to test the flow capability of lift pumps... and they're going to use this measurement to determine flawed lift pumps... we'll see. . .



BTW, the dealer is Earnhardt Dodge in Gilbert, AZ. I've had good luck with this dealer when I had my half ton Dodge and have always considered their service department good... I was very friendly and respectful to the service advisor and he seemed like a good guy... in fact, I had a talk with him and another employee about how the three of us were disappointed with the "crew cab" offerings this year. They were all quite friendly... but blowing smoke nevertheless... .



Mike



'01 3500 5sp.

 

[fkovalski]

Yes, lift pumps topics might be beating a dead horse, however- those of us who are relatively new to the land of CTD and TDR they are very informative (at least for me. ) I will evetually learn how to replace lift pumps as well as fuel filters in time. (I have the dealer do my filters right now. ) But my question is this: How much would one expect to pay for a lift pump? from Dodge, from Cummins, aftermarket? Keep those lift pump threads coming- more information is always better. -frank.

 

[Shovelhead]

Glen Burnie MD Cummins Power Store..... $160 for the lift pump.

 

[dezeldog]

Pump

145$ and change from Cummins

 

[cosborne]

$245 from the dealer:--)

 

[fkovalski]

Are all these options for lift pumps relate to the same make and model (i. e. not sub- par knock offs) I think I would want exact replacement items. Also- are LP's brand new or rebuilt needing a core exchange. Thanks- frank.

 

[Mingoglia]

These are brand new. The lift pumps Dodge sells are exactly the same units that you can buy at Cummins. Another example of this is fuel filters. The fuel filters are $44. 95 from my local dealer but you can go elsewhere and find them (genuine fleetguard filters) for $10-12. Oil filters are the same... the oil filter from Dodge is a painted fleetguard filter. In fact, the fuel filter is actually identical to the fleetguard filter... it even has fleetguard stamped on it!

 

[cmills]

They will wish they changed the lift pump when they end up changing the lift pump and injector pump

 

[Bob4x4]

I ran into 3 techs from Earnhard Dodge at the top of Comp at Glamis Sand dunes. They were all shocked that an 8000lb diesel could make it to the top much less beat all the gassers that cold make it. I wouldn't want them around my truck with a wrench.



Bob

 

[mbrolin]

The test procedure is to check the pressure. Dodge will replace the LP if you are hitting 0 pressure at WOT. Try a different dealer. The new test procedure mentioned by the tech is for the 03's.

 

[JCyrbok]

lift and injection pump angle

CMills I tried that angle with a dealer. Told the service manager that I had low pressure and could pull it down to 5psi ( no bombs) at WOT. He told me that CUmmins and DC denied warranty compensation for a LP that had 4psi at WOT and that he was told as long as the pump was moving some fuel, ie: 1psi that it would not be replaced under warranty. We then got into a short convo about a weak/dead LP quickly killing a VP pump and that a repair would quickly go from aprox $200 parts and labor to about $2000 parts and labor. I left as he was in mid sentence "explaining" to me that the VP had nothing to do with the LP. It was ironic that he had one of those "you are a dumb ass" looks on his face as he was telling me this! LOL.



I'm still tring to find a dealer that will change mine out under warranty, as I strongly feel that if they cant do it right the first time that damn well are going to fix it when it breaks. Kinda like me making the drywall guys that did my current house come back and fix nail pops. I built houses since I was 6 years old, including drywall, before becoming a cop, but it was the principle of the situation. They did not do it right therefore their "punishment" is fixing their screw ups.



J-

 

[Mingoglia]

Bob4X4... . you and I are among the only duners in the TDR. I thought I was alone. ... . so what does that truck of yours do at Olds?

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

you and I are among the only duners in the TDR.

Oh no you aren't!! http://my.voyager.net/~stevest/offroading.htm

 

[Mingoglia]

I was talking "real" dunes... Just kidding...

 

[EricBu12]

Good going bob, show those rails how its done!!



I used to be from El Cajon, and I have done those dunes before.



But like a lake that is shrinking from evaporation, the dunes are shrinking from BLM!!

 

[CFAR]

Here is a question for you guys with low lp pressure.



Do you drain the fuel bowl when changing filter?



And if you do, does the lp have a problem priming the system?



I've talked to several dealers who have said the same basic thing.

"we had to replace a lp, because after changing the fuel filter, the lp would not prime or was dead"

 

[cosborne]

Thats exactly the reason I replaced my lift pump. Changed the filter then got no pressure after filling the canister back up manually. I actually pulled one of the test ports from top of the canister and filled through the top... . when the LP cycled fuel would rise up just barely to the top of the test port but never run over. Dealer told me it was the original pump... it lasted 118k.

And it may just be my imagination, but the truck seems to run much quieter with the new LP. It had been 14k since I changed the filter before.

 

[Pit Bull]

Just tell the dealer the symptoms they need to hear to check the lift pump. "Low power" That will direct them to check the lift pump and replace.

 

[clem]

Went to the Dealer in Raymoundville Tx ,told the service writer That I had low lift pump pressure. He sent a tech out to check my truck seeing it has a pressure gauge. Came back in said, yep low pressure ordered a new lift pump over night ,installed it the next day. The dealers down in the Reo Grand Valley don't want any unhappy winter Texans.

 

[Mingoglia]

Clem, what pressures were you experiencing... .