This may sound kinda like a lame question but I had quite a time getting my truck running after I changed the fuel filter. My question is this: If you cycle the key on while you have the fuel filter housing open and fuel filter removed (I can hear the pump running for about 20 seconds) should you be able to see the housing fill up with fuel? I ended up getting the truck running by filling the fuel filter housing up, loosening the return line on the injector pump line and holding the throttle down but it took a couple of tries. Im worried my lift pump might be going away. Anyone??

 

Most people prefill the filter, otherwise it takes several cycles of bumping the key to get the lift pump to purge the filter. If the lift pump is failing, it simply will not pressurize the system at all or do so in a hit and miss manner.

I do not recommend dry starting the VP44, that is a sure fire way to send it to an early grave. Always make sure you have a full supply of fuel to the VP before attempting to start. Be patient and let the system do its job.

 

GET A FUEL PRESSURE GAGE. You don't have gages listed in your sig. With your setup, you should probably have a FP and pyro gages.

 

Thanks, thats what started all of this. After the Edge install I noticed the fuel pressure was jumping between 0 and 1 PSI. I called Edge (who were great by the way) and after un-plugging the fuel pressure sending unit and noticing it then read 33 PSI, they felt it was a faulty sending unit and are in the process of sending me a replacment. I decided to change the fuel filter to see if that would help and thats when the whole thing started.

What im trying to find out is the theory with regards to the lift pump.


I agree, most of my expierence have been with spin on types (Cat IH.). Do you mean filling up the housing the filter sits in??

BTW, thanks for thr replys, Kevin.

 

Glad you have gages.....that shows some smarts.

If your gage is working, and you have fuel pressure, I would think that it is working. Have you tried a mechanical gage straight from the outlet side (bottom) of the filter housing?

I have changed mine without filling the cannister, but it did take a couple of extra "bumps" to get the fuel flowing. "Bump" meaning, turn the key enough to engage the starter, but let off and let the fp run.

 

I guess im confusing the issue. When the Attitude readout is connected to the box, and the box is connected to the fuel pressure sending unit it reads @ o to 1 PSI. When it is un-plugged from the sending unit it reads 33 PSI.

I just really want to know if the lift pump is suposed to fill the fuel filter canister with the threaded plastic "top" removed. Has anyone ever tried this?

 

With the lid off and you bump the starter it will fill the canister on spill on the ground until the cycle is over. I've done it once.

 

Dang it, I was affraid of that. So these trucks will run strong (Edge setting 4-5) w/o the lift pump working??

 

If you're running strong with no FP, you are probably killing your VP44. It will draw some fuel, not not near enough to do the internal cooling.

 

Thats been my fear. The truck has been doing alot of sitting since the install. I guess its new L.P. time.

Thanks for the help, out here in San Diego finding someone who knows these engines is pretty tough. You cant swing a stick around here w/o hitting a Powerstroke.

 

Now that's funny.........

 

Does $159.00 dollars sound about right for that L.P. Napa has one and it looks www.napaonline.com/masterpages/NOLMaster.aspx?PageId=430&CatId=4&SubCatId=2 like the right one.

 

The link didn't have any info on it. If that's the price for a factory replacement type pump, that's pretty expensive. Try to find a Cummins dealer and it will be much cheaper. You might go through the dealers under the "Links" above and find one cheaper than NAPA. Also, you can do a search and see where some folks are getting their pumps.

 

Kevin, you can get an upgraded pump from Cummins which was for their commericial buses, emergency vehicles. If you do a search you will find the part number. Don't call Cummins and ask for a lift pump for you truck. It's not eligible for the campaign kit. Cost is usually about $65. It also includes a sender for a warning light. If you can't find the number get right back and I'll go look up my box, it had the part number on it.

 

Kevin,
Here's the part number. 4090046. Look in your phone book for Cummins Dealer, ask for parts, ask for part #4090046, ask for availabilty. Then either have them mail it, or go pick it up. If they won't sell it to you call another one.