What to do if (when) lift pump fails?

[WMeyers]

OK, I've been reading all of the messages about lift pump failures and have become convinced I should have a fuel pressure guage. Then I started thinking that once I've added the guage and I'm out in the middle of nowhere and the guage indicates a problem, I don't know what to do in order to prevent damage to the VP44. Should I immediately pull over and get a tow or can I drive a few or few hundred miles without risking damage to the VP44?

 

[BFC]

As long as the needle is above Zero, I would drive home. I know the day mine falls below 3 or 4psi(WOT) the new kit is going in.



Glenn

 

[LSMITH]

I would agree that you can drive it a few hundred miles. The thing to avoid is heavy throttle and sudden let of of throttle. Baby it a little and let off slowly when you get out of the throttle, that will give the pump a chance pull the fuel necessary to cool and lubricate itself.

 

[HVAC]

Lift Pump First Aid

Knowing the lift pump is junk, we recommend our customers carry a spare oem pump in case. This proved rather helpfull to Cliffman who was just happy as can be, touring around Colorado this summer, when his fuel pressure guage indicated a problem. He determined the gauge was working properly and then proceeded to replace the dead pump with the one he had stashed in his "boonie box".



The other thinking process that occurs to me, is that if we know the oem pump is prone to failure, then why wouldn't we monitor it's performance and replace it when testing shows it's performance waning? Done! Now you don't have to worry about a failure on the road in BF Egypt.



Just last night Brandon installed a high performance pump on a fellows newly BOMBed truck along with -6 fuel line. The pump was installed at the tank where I think it should be. I feel confident this is going to be not only a better performing system, but also longer lived as well



An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

 

[WMeyers]

Thanks for the recommendations - this place is great!

 

[3dracer]

If one does go out on the road, is it covered by the engine 100,00 warranty? No money to the "5 star dealers"? I hope not.

 

[pwr2tow]

Lift pump is covered under the 100,000 mile warranty, but I think it is 5 years or 100,000 miles. It is covered as long as you have not modified any engine components, DC can void warranty if you have.



Ron

 

[pnwradar]

Izzit a hard job?

So, how tough is it to swap out the lift pump? Assuming proper tools, fair skills, and no shop manual?



My gauge has been bouncing around sometimes, and giving the signs of failing pump. Gonna swing by CumminsNW today and get a new pump, thought I'd take advantage of my parents' warm garage this weekend, instead of lying in the snow to fix it.



-jon-

 

[Cobra]

Lift pump failure

OK I have told this story a few times on other forums but I should do it one more time.



I had my gauges installed and the fuel pressure was at or above 14 psi at idle. It never dropped below 10 psi at WOT. One month after installing the gauges the fuel pressure at idle was 3 psi. I drove to dealer. Dealer thought it was the gauge but used his mechanical gauge and sure enough 3 psi at idle. New pump on the way.



Now to answer question. My first indication of pump failure was driving along the Pa turnpike about 150 miles from my home. The truck ran well but the engine noise escallated. I drove easy all the way home and subsequently took the truck to the dealer.