What's the deal with failing lift pumps?

[24V-DSL]

I'd almost bet there are more posts in this forum re: failing/problematic lift pumps than anything else. I wonder what the overall failure rate has been since the beginning of the 24V? Are we just reading a disproportionate and therefore misleading statistical representation?



Why do these fail?



Why doesn't the manufacturer FIX THE PROBLEM?



I'm becoming paranoid and thinking of buying a "spare" to carry just like a fuel filter, or just going ahead and replacing with one of the other alternatives







Thanks for any input.

 

[carhauler]

My truck has 82k on it so i guess it was time for mine. And yes I would carry a spare if I were you . Go to cummins though they are almost half of what the dealer charges. Good luck

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

They've been TRYING to fix the problem - the lift pump has been revised about 14 times! IMO though they haven't gotten to the root of the problem which is that the pump is at the engine, not at the fuel tank. I spoke with a personal contact at Cummins this week about my continued frustrations and he asked me to put it into a letter so he can attempt to get something done about it. I'm putting that letter together right now - I'll let everyone here know what comes of it.

 

[John Berger]

Bummer

I've got the original on my truck and it still functions fine. I'm really glad I installed the fuel pressure gauge and both senders. I'm starting to see a restriction on the outlet side, which tells me I need to change the filter. I still idle at between 9 and 10 psi and can run 70 towing a load and maintain between 5-7 psi on both sides. For newbies to the website, check out the threads listed below. They have very good information on the fuel system in our trucks.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11672



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11020

 

[MikeR]

I wonder if these pumps are failing just as much on the RV's and med-duty trucks,because they have the same or identical pump mounted onto the engine just like our trucks.



If I remember correctly,the RV's and med-trucks have 1/2in fuel lines,but that still doesn't explain the pump still being mounted to the engine and working fine.



-Mike

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

According to my sources they are having problems there too, but not as many as we are having. In looking at FL's, etc the fuel tanks are closer to the engine that ours are, as well as the larger fuel lines, that might explain the difference.



-Steve

 

[EricBu12]

I have talked with a person at cummins and he thinks the problem with the lift pumps have been worked out. I have a 2001 and so far no problems at 13000 miles.

I use the power service additive in the fuel at every fuel up to help in lubricating parts with this low sulphur fuel.

Later on they are going to have even less lubricating properties to use and that might have even greater disasters in the name of enviromentalists. and clean air. so use the additives and keep the parts running smooth.