A few months ago I bought a used 2001 Dodge 2500 Diesel pickup to pull a 5th wheel. Yesterday, I started having acceleration problems, took it to the Dodge dealer and they tell me I need to replace the fuel pump. Makes sense. However ... the '01s have a fuel pump mounted on the engine block and Dodge does NOT offer a replacement part anymore. Instead they offer a new system with the fuel pump located in the fuel tank. Parts and labor are over $1,000!!!!!!!!

The dealer told me this is NOT covered under warranty because my warranty has expired. Truck has 59K miles. It seems that Dodge should cover this because they no longer offer the old part on a relatively new truck (new for a diesel, in my opinion).

I'm told I can get a replacement pump similar to the original from an after market company. This is much cheaper - I'm told.

I need some advice. Should I go with the cheaper option and keep the old style pump? I imagine there are thousands of Dodge diesels still running with this design??? Should I go with the new pump option? Have any of you done this and how has it worked? (On another forum, I found a thread that was critical of the Dodge upgrade - poorly designed. Apparently, there are other companies that offer similar (and also expensive) upgrades.)

Well, what should I do??? I'm not a mechanic, so please keep your advice simple. I'm looking for dependable. I'm less concerned about performance.

Thanks,

- Simon

 

While it's true that DC does not offer the original style lift pump, it is still available through numerous online distributers and even NAPA. I offer my customers either and most choose the aftermarket original style one (as would I). You might try calling customer assistance in the back of your owners manual. DC might offer some assistance (MIGHT is the key word). Also if they do agree to assist you it would be for the retrofit kit which may be good or bad.....jury is still out on that one.

 

WELCOME TO DTR. sorry to here of your lose. like J said you can get an OEM pump a lot of places (even ebay) for around 150, and their vary simple to install. I would go back that way and get a fuel presure gauge mounted in the cab to monator it. Their know to fail and when they do some times the IP goes with them, and it is BIG bucks. Do a search on vp44 falure, and you will understand what I an saying.

 

You can also get a replacement for the stock one from Cummins. DO a search for a cummins dealer near you, and give them a call. They will need the S/N of your engine which is found on a metal tag on the drivers side of the engine.

I just traded my 01, but last time I bought one it was like $164 shipped to me. They are not hard to put on either. You have to be able to twist and grunt a lil to get there to it, but not too bad.

Hope this helps you out.

 

BlackDiesel is right - you will need to get a fuel pressure gauge installed ASAP;

Many have gone to better LP set-ups, primarily the Walbro or the FASS - the latter is easy to install (takes a couple of hours, maybe)....; Do the search on VP44 failures (and replacement co$t), and you'll see why...

- and welcome aboard!

Rauschbo

 

The pump you are talking about is the lift pump I have a 2000 cummins with 80,000 miles on it I had to get the lift pump replaced 3 times before 50,000 miles I got an aftermarket pump to compliment the lift pump for under 200$. Now I have about 20# of fuel preasure instead of 11# so there is no threat of hurting the injector pump witch is another 1000-1500 dollars. If I where you I would check into an after market pump. the one I got only took about an hour to put in. I'm not a mechanic either.

 

Just to clarify ... Are saying that I should keep the engine mounted fuel pump AND get an aftermarket auxilary pump? Correct??? What type of auxilary pump (fuel system) do you have?

Thanks,

- Simon