So here's the deal... Truck has 115K on it. Last week it runs out of Gas. I get it started no big deal. A day later the truck just dies and won't start. I tried to prime it but it wouldn't start to save its life. So I had to manually pour fuel in to the filter housing to get it to start. It started and ran fine for the past week. I also changed the fuel fiilter after it died. Last night I notice that the truck doesn't have its usual power, almost felt like a flat spot. So this morning I change the fuel filter and the truck won't start worth a crap. I had to pour fuel into the filter housing again to get it to start which took forever. It also has a hard start. Is this a failed lift pump and can I check it any other way without a guage? THanks I need to haul horses tomorrow and don't want to get stuck.

 

Sounds like an air lock or lift pump gone bad. Probably a coincidient that it happened at the same time you ran out of fuel. Next time it happens, before you fill the filter with fuel, turn on the key and see if the lift pump fills the filter housing. If not... there's your problem.
I personally replace 3 L.P.'s on mine before the warr ran out at 100K. I now have a very very reliable and inexpensive Holley Black pump hanging on the frame rail and it holds a solid 12 psi no matter what fuel setting I turn it up to or what load I pull or what hill I climb.
Make you own decision. The FASS and other aftermarket systems are out there and quite robust in design, almost overkill but expensive. I have pictures of my install and I also took the lift pump off completely, and replace it with a block off plate I made from stainless. I still have a few parts left over if you're interested in welding up your own. Let me know.
If not, spend the bucks and buy another lift pump.

 

Thanks for the response. The filter housing won't fill up at all. I tried the priming sequence and it added nothing to the housing. SHouldn't it fill up rather quickly? Sounds like you had a good idea to just get rid of the **** thing.

 

lift pump more then likeley i ran the holey blue worked great on my 03. yours mite be under warranty since the motor warranty is not supposed to start till after the 36k warranty according to the way the owner manual reads

 

yep, sounds like a LP. It should fill the entire filter housing from completely empty to running over full in less than 30 seconds! Mine flows a LOT of fuel and I didn't want to get rid of the filter housing with the cute water drain, fuel heater, etc. and I can run the higher quality WIX fuel filters as well. If the pump died and you want to change to the holley or aftermarket pump setup and still keep you filter housing, you'll need the adapter to take the place of the LP that your fuel supply hose would attach to from the pump. There's some commercial made ones out there but I couldn't justify the price with me being able to make my own lots cheaper.

The LP's on these years is the weak link in my opinion and that of many others. At the last replacement the dealer asked me if I wanted to wait a month and put the "in tank" upgrade in and I decided to NOT go that route. I hate having to drop a fuel tank just to fix a pump issue. Seemed stupid to me to hide the pump in the tank.

Here's the link to post #82 of mine complete w/pictures.
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...=181485&page=6

Just my 2c worth.

 

Yes, the lift pump should be able to fill the filter canister very quickly. Sounds to me like your lift pump is toast.
mishaya

 

Does your truck have the in-tank pump or the engine mounted pump? I remember they switched back in '05 I think.
mishkaya

 

Ya, it has the intank pump. I had it towed to B and A diesel up here. Bill is a diesel god especially when it comes to cummins. He comes highly recommended. He thought the same as everyone on here. I believe its toast. He has a nice custom setup with the pump out of the tank that's rated at 100gph. The lines will be bigger and there will not be any fuel supply problems. Thanks for all the help. I'm still learning the whole diesel world.