What exactly is inside the fuel tank. Is it a sock on the pick-up tube like old gas motors or what. The reason I am asking is because for one my truck won't start it acts like it is not getting fuel to the lift pump. If you just bump the key the lift pump runs for about 30 seconds or so. It don't matter how many times you repeat the process the pump never sounds like it is getting fuel. I did this 20 times tonight and the pump sounded like it never got fuel. Until you finally crank on the engine for about a minute and it starts. Then you can shut it off and bump the key and the pump will run for about 2-3 seconds. I am wondering if the pick-up tube is clogged or if the lift pump is dying for the third time. The only time the truck starts like it should is when you park with the nose downhill. Park level or uphill no start.

 

Sounds like you may have a leak in a fuel line and you are losing your prime. I am just quessing though. Why don't you fill in you sig so we know more about your truck.

 

Sounds like your 3rd LP to me when my LP failed, it would run but no psi. The Vanes were wiped out, the motor was still good. Peace Murfman

 

I seen other messages like this one. I would make a guess at the fuel lines have a air leak and the fuel is bleeding back to the tank. With a small air leak it might be extremely difficult for the LP to pull the fuel from the tank all the way back up to the engine.

I would check the fuel line first...

You might want to pull a fuel line off after the LP and see if the fuel is not foaming.. That is another way to see if there is a leak.

 

If you want to see what your pick up module ooks like look at my classified ads. I have one for sale.

 

99 fuel module photos...inside and out

These photos might help. The screen mesh has been removed on the bottom of the module...but some pieces are still shown for reference. The mesh is like silk fabric. Very fine.

The module does more than meets the eye. To keep it simple...its acts as a fuel reservoir during sloshing low fuel times. The return line keeps the module full of fuel.

 

I have removed the fuel pick-up mesh and have some experience driving my truck. On hard braking, my fuel pressure would go down to 0 psi. The mesh is there make sure that there is fuel available during accelerations/decelerations and during low fuel levels. You can't buy the mesh from dodge and comes as a complete unit ($$$). Also I found that when I ran less than 1/4 tank of fuel (no screen), my fuel pressure would start to decrease i.e. 16psi to about 14psi. How does your fuel pump sound when you do the starter bump? When my screen got plugged up with dirt, the pump would whine pretty good. The lift pump is so weak, it could only do this a couple times and then it would start to fail. I smoked a new lift pump and trashed my screen. Honestly the entire fuel system is garbage. Can you believe that dodge uses a 5/16 plastic tube in the tank! I made myself a 3/4in pick-up tube and replaced the stock fuel lines with 1/2 lines. Installed the Fass pump, the fuel pressure is 18psi at idle and drops to 16psi at wot. I have lots of fuel now for those hard quarter mile blasts.

 

When I removed my screen, I too found out the screen assembly isn't available at the parts counter...only the entire module. Thats a bunch of bull since they are obviously different parts.

Anyway...after removing my screen AND relocating my pump to just in front of the tank I can remain in the 14-15 psi range constantly and even down to levels of 1/8 tank. This includes hard acceleration, deceleration and hill decents. Its very hard to leave the pickup high and dry...almost impossible under all but the most extreme driving conditions. I haven't found any yet.

1/4 tank is still a decent amount of fuel as far as tank depth is concerned. I am very happy with a relocated pump and removed screen.

 

Guess that is where I have to go, the screen. Mine is perfect with a full tank. Any less, like 3/4 tank and it picks up air at start. I also notice different characteristics when full and not full. I have checked and checked, can not find a leak in the system. I have clamped all the pushon lines, removed the quick disconnect, it acts like it has a leak in the pickup. It has a real problem picking up fuel to start, but once cranked picks it right up.

 

Haulin, you could try just removing the screen and valve. It has three tabs holding on the bottom part. Be careful as its very flimsy piece and breaks very easily. It kinda of a one way trip if you rip out the screen. I tried mine with no screen stock, a 1/2 pick-up and 3/4 pick-up. The best fix is when I bought a replacement pick-up assembly from dodge. I just don't like the seeing my fuel pressure being so erratic depending on how much fuel I had in the tank. I saw too many times on hard stops my fuel pressure goes to 0. I gonna try installing baffles in tank and place a pick-up on that backside of the tank. I got nervous driving my truck with no screen at tank levels below 1/8 tank. At full tank levels the pressure was steady and strong. Mind you this was before I bought the Fass system so it could be different now. The screen kinda allows the suction to grab the recycled fuel from the pump as well as fresh fuel. This causes that fuel to start to heat-up. I touched my fuel lines after a 8 hr drive. I bet that they where at least 80deg F. Of course a fresh full tank of fuel cooled off the lines, but another issue for the high flow pump systems is the heat that they build. I'm guessing that on hot summer days, guys are have vapor lock issues with the Fass especially during hard tows.