Howdy all,

Soon I will be the proud owner of a 2500 Cummins truck. I have been wanting one for about 10 years now.

I,m looking at possibly buying one on Saturday. But, the owner says "you'll need to bleed the fuel lines. The engine will not have power until it runs for 5 or 10 minutes... or you can do something under the hood"

From what I have read on this forum, it sound like he has an air leak on the return line near the lift pump, lift pump needs to be replaced or a new VP44. Is this a safe assumption?

I want to know the possible cost involved to fix this before I give him cash.

Here's a couple of photos of what I'm looking at;




I really want this truck because it is my price range $6000-7000 and it is a 6-speed with 112K miles.

Thanks for your input.

 

Looks like another good place for,

The Return of the Son of the New Guy Info
Welcome to the site ,
Your Dodge/Cummins has fuel milage and power capabilities far beyond a basic gasser but it isn't gas-n-go like a gasser either...it's a bit involved but not difficult to manage.
Obtain a repair manual at your favorite auto parts store so you can get up quick on your truck. You also need gauges to get info from your truck but more on that later..
Your 24 valver has a Lift Pump that takes fuel from the fuel tank and delivers it to your Injector Pump(VP44). This VP44 is the weak link and because it's so expensive, it deserves extra consideration. For years the guys here have been trying different things to get the VP44 to live and through basic R&D, they've discovered a few things that help most and are running up the miles.
Fuel lubes and cools the VP44 and we watch that with the Lift Pump fuel pressure. We generally like to see 13-15psi idle, 12-13psi cruising hwy speed and no less the 5-7 psi at wide open throttle(WOT).
A fuel pressure test gauge available at your favorite auto parts store, connected by pressure line to the Schrader Valve on your injector pump and installed in the cab will get you lift pump fuel pressure to watch. Check my picture gallery.
Diesel fuel has very little if any lubricating abilities so fuel treatments like Power Service, Howes, Lucas and Stanadyne add lubrication to the fuel. I use the MFG's recommend on dosages.
There is fuel returned to the fuel tank from the fuel system and because some of it comes from a passage in the cylinder head of the motor, it's hot. This is fine in the winter because diesel fuel can gel in very cold temperatures BUT in the summer, it can get hot enough that it won't cool electrical components in the VP44. Most folks are keeping their fuel tank 1/2 full or better. We're currently looking for an end all fuel cooler that does not restrict flow or pressure.
Many folks have found that they had no lift pump pressure after they install a gauge or change the fuel filter so be ready for that.

Since there's no mention of a lift pump pressure gauge, figure $500 for a lift pump & lines and $1500 for another injector pump if you do the install....add another $700 for a shop install.
Of course the fuel filter might be stopped up too.

What year?

 

I guess you could look at it this way and it should cover all your bases.
1- Injection pump. A good one plus install figure 2 grand.
2- lift pump a decent one installed figure 500.00
3- All the lines replaced with filters figure 500.00

So 3 grand should ball park your repairs.

 

Clunk and nitrousn, thank you for the info.

While I was looking at the frame on this truck, I noticed it had been repaired from an accident. The frame was drilled, bent and patched in several places up front. So, I said no thank you.

Then I saw another truck and it was a 5 speed which I think I'll prefer. It was looking good until I saw the #53 on the block, the exhaust brake, and a howling sound while on the freeway.

The search continues...