In a way, I'm kinda new to diesels. This is my first diesel, but I do a lot of reading and learning from this site since I bought my truck new in the fall of '02. One of the things I'm still a little confused with are the lift pumps in the '03 and I guess some of the '04 model Cummins.

I've been starting to see topics about lift pump failures and dealers replacing them with the new in-tank pumps. I'm close to 70k with my truck and haven't had any issues at all. It sounds like when these pumps fail, it happens johnny-on-the-spot and with no warning. This doesn't sound exciting to me!

Are the dealers replacing these pumps under warranty after failure? And if they're replacing them with the newer updated in-tank pump, will those of us w/o the in-tank pump have to wait for ours to fail before the dealer will replace it under warranty? What I'm asking is, can I treat this like a recall and have my pump replaced before it goes out and my warranty expires? Was there a recall that I missed?

If I can't treat this like a recall and my pump fails after my warranty, how much do these pumps cost? And are there better after-market lift pumps available? I've heard of FASS and some others, but being confused on the whole lift pump concept, I'm not following the benefit of the after-market as compared to stock.

Thanks for any help with this subject.
-Brian

 

Lift pumps are a warranty item as long as you under 100k or 5yrs. Im not aware of a retro kit for the 03/04 in tank pump but im not sure I want it either. Its relativly easy to change where it is, instead of having to drop the tank. The benifits of a aftermarket lift pump such as fass, is reliability, but most of all you dont get a pressure loss with the more volume of fuel that your engine wants when it gets thirsty after a lot of performance mods. I also dont think a fass system is what the dealer would like to see if anything after the lift pump fails ( inj pump )they would probably blame the fass. I keep a lift pump in my tool box just in case. Reading this site and others keeps everyone a little informed about things that may go wrong, but you have to remember, this is just a little croud and most people will not experience lift pump issues. Unless your from canada

 

Thanks AirGrabber, that helps ease my nerves! But you keep a spare in your tool box? So these things aren't that big and they're easy to change? I'm not even sure where this thing is located on the truck.

Do you get them at about any auto parts store and what do they normally cost?

 

If I owned your truck I would have installed the in tank conversion kit weeks ago when it came out. The current lift pump is unavailable and has been superceded by the conversion kit, so if you want a spare you better find one on a dealers shelf somewhere (dealer item). Things I like on the in tank: pump submerged in fuel keeps it cool, low psi pumps are better suited to "pushing" fluid, not pulling, the pump is now off the engine and not subjected to heat and vibration.