I decided I needed to replace my lift pump so in the wrestling match to follow somehow the plunger thingy came out of the lift pump and fell down the hole inside the engine block. CRAP!

What I need to know is.. how far down will it go? will it fall all the way down to the bottom of the oil pan or is there some sort of valley that will catch it? Do I need to remove the oil pan? or will a magnet find it?

I don't have a flexable magnet atm so I'll need to make a trip to town for one...

also is there a spring that would have come out with the plunger?




for replacing the lift pump would an electric one be better? Or should I bolt on a new one?

 

The plunger thingy is about 3 inches long and there is not a spring that went with it. The spring is inside the pump. I think it will go all the way down to the bottom. You can try a flexible magnet thru the hole. You might try draining the oil and run the magnet in that way too. If all else fails remove the pan to retreive it. If you don't know where it is you shouldn't start the motor in case it is lodged somewhere.

 

Yes, a foriegn object lodged somewhere where it should never be can cause a lot of damage. Do not start it until you find it. Based on the location of the pump, it is likely that it is in the oil pan.

 

Well my dad had a magnet and my friend down the road had one too, I fished and fished and couldn't get it out

I drained my oil and fished from the bottom and still no luck

I beat on the bottom of my oil pan and couldn't hear the thing bounce either, I wonder if it might have gotten caught on the crank or something.. can I turn the crank manually somehow to see if it falls off? I don't have much in the way of tools, just basic stuff but I think my dad has one of those 1/2 inch socket sets if I can turn the front damper pully bolt, (like a gasser) but I don't know on a diesel.


do the oil pans have a baffle? if the rod fell in front of the baffle that would explain why I couldn't fish it out..


Looks like I'll be ordering a new lift pump AND a new oil pan gasket I guess lol crap sucks dammit!

 

OH another question,


will the oil pan come off? Or am I gonna hafta remove a cross member or something?

 

Someone just recently was asking about removing the oil pan, and it was replied to that you need to jack the motor up a few inches for the pan to clear. I would suggest removing the bolts that holds your auto tranny to it's crossmember before lifting the motor...and watch the rear of your valve cover for clearance with the firewall.
First thing I would do though is call a Cummins store and/or DC dealer and talk to someone who has experience in this area.....just so you don't do something you don't have to, or miss something you should do.

 

My understanding (and I'm fortunate that I haven't ever had to do this yet) is that you have to take the motor mounts loose, raise the motor as far as possible (several inches, watch clearances) and then drop the pan a few inches, reach in and remove the oil pump pickup, and THEN you can remove the pan. I've also heard that it helps to unbold the cab from the frame and jack it up a few inches to gain more engine lift clearance. Not fun by the sounds of it.

Going back together as I understand it would be slipping the pan back under with the oil pump pickup laying loose in it, install the oil pump pickup, and then reinstall the pan, drop the motor, connect motor mounts and cab mounts.

Personally, I think I'd spend some more time with the magnet if possible.

Good luck.

 

LOL....yeah you might want to take the motor mount bolts out too....that would help.
It was also mentioned in that post I read to remove the valve cover and the two rear rockers for firewall clearance.
Do a search for "oil pan" and you should find it.

 

get a big horseshoe magnet from lowes or home depot, a good strong one, then slide it along the bottom of the oil pan. if the plunger is in the pan you should be able to drag it to the drain, or if there's a baffle in the way you may be able to drag it to a place where you can grab it with your flexi-mag. good luck

 

Can you beg, borrow, or rent a bore scope? Would that fit guys? I don't know what it is you are working on, but I thought it might help?

 

Ok I found the rod and didn't have to remove the oil pan

The dang thing was laying down along my frame and was very difficult to find, amazing how things can dissappear down there, but I manged to catch a glint of it while moving my light around. I lucked out big time, wish I woulda found it before I drained my damm oil though lol just glad I didn't find it AFTER I removed my oil pan


I got the new lift pump installed being careful to screw in each bolt a little at a time to keep it even and working it around some to make sure it sat against my cam correctly..

It took forever to prime my system, that thumb pump must not move very much fuel per pump, so I pressurized my tank a few pounds and that got fuel to come out my air screw at the top of my fuel filter. I also installed a new filter and a new WIF drain valve cause my old one was leaking..

The truck runs perfect now, thanks for all the help and tips

 

Sometimes those little parts are like little kids playing hide and seek!!! They put on camoflage paint and just blend in with the scenery!!! Glad you found it before you pulled the pan.

 

Glad you found it. Sucks to think a piece like that falls in the motor, knowing how much of a PITA it could be to find and remove.

Heres a tip I picked up here about the rubber bulb primer. Get 6-10 inches of wodden dowel (top of a broom handle works well) and use that to prime the sytem. Saves unnessesary wear on your fingers.

 

Guys where's this rubber bulb primer people are talking about? Is it on '01's and '02's also, or just the 12V ?
btw, I'm glad you found that part greasy before pulling the pan

 

I can just see the look on your face once you finally got that pan off and found that the rod wasn't in there

Glad you found it before you got that far.