I've been hangin' around here for awhile. Learned alot, thanks to everyones' great effort.


This my accumulation of facts, opinions and plans for a new fuel system which I agree needs proper attention.

First, I don't think its a good idea to run with only one fuel filter. it is most important to add a primary filter before any fuel gets to the lift pump. The reasons for this are that sediment can lodge in the fuel pump and may cause other problems with wear. Additionally, the pump will tend to break up any water to smaller droplets thereby making it harder for the secondary filter to filter them out. One of my main reasons for a primary filter is the amount of sediment that I have experienced with my fisrt cdt. That little factory filter would get overwhelmed with dirt and water in as little as a week and would cause loss of power and injector pump wear.

Secondly, I don't think it's a good idea to run two lift pumps, as the Cummins tech said the question around thier shop is, what happens when one of the pumps happens to fail in a closed position or very restricted flow position!? This is why I plan on installing two pumps with an electrical switch over switch, and ball valves. When the F/P guage shows failure, I will simply switch to the other pump already installed redy to go.

Thirdly, the Cummins tech said thier tests on the fuel flow does show some restrictions, and does need to be enlarged.

Last but not least I am adding a F/P guage and trans temp guage for the automatic. At just 29,000 miles I am apprehensive to drive around my new truck to me without these two vital guages.

I will appreciate any chiming in. I'm glad to hear any more opinions/ information on this subject.

One problem; is my warranty issues if I make these changes to my fuel sytem
Thanks a bunch, Mike

 

1. Unless your getting very nasty fuel, you shouldn't need a second filter. I've got 94k on mine and I change my filter every 6k miles and it's the same color yellow it was when I put it in. I do roughly 500 miles a week so you can imagine how many tanks I go through. Water shouldn't be a problem either although I understand your thinking on that.

2. I definately agree on only running one lift pump for that very reason. I'm running a single Holley Blue on the frame and have been for 2 years without any issues what so ever.

3. I upgraded to all -8 line from the tank to the vp44. No restriction there.

If dodge wants, they'll void your warranty. Mine tried to blame my LP going out because of my fuel pressure gauge and they voided my warranty. I politely told the service manager where to stick it and to fix my truck before my lawyer calls him (he didn't like hearing that from a 16 year old ).

 

If your truck only has 29000 on it I would run it without the gauges until I was able to get them in. It would still be under warranty, so if something went wrong you wouldn't have to pay for it. Sure you should get these on as soon as possible, but I wouldn't be to worried about something going wrong.

And like blue said, unless you are getting bad fuel you won't need a second filter. It woud just add more restriction into the fuel lines. The fuel is filtered at the pump.

 

You have done your homework well Grasshopper.

A fuel pressure guage is a must.

Welcome to DTR

PS: No more trolling! We need more thinking guys like you to chime in on stuff.

 

With more CTD owner's like that DC will be just like Ford or GM.


Get the guages. Know what your truck is doing and how the components are working. Good habits carry over to years of good service from your truck. Bad habits translate into COSTLY repairs down the road.

 

Hey, thanks everyone. As usual, some more useful thinking and or advice floatin' around here.


One thing though, about two filters, and I tend to agree, is the two filters are there to help prevent clogging things up. Also just read that the lift pumps last longer with a primary filter (30 micron) cleaning the fuel before it gets to the lift pump. This is very important, according to the article.

Anyhow how do you find out about the right Holley blue? I've done a search without succes, to find the right psi rating and flow rating. Can anyone help? Also aren't those pumps built only for gasoline?

Mike

 

Anyother idea is to just move the LP.. and added a second pump in Parrallel.. (like you stated..) but instead of using the valves.. just use a check valve..) and only run one pump... Use a pressure sensor to activate the second pump.. when demand is high.. and pressure drops.. or a pump fails.. it will activate the second pump...
(There could be one down fall... but for failure.. and hard runs it would work.. The issue would be the cut out pressure of the sensor.. when the second pump would turn off.. if the pressure is too low.. it could just turn into an end less cycle of turning the pump off and on... )
Just throwing out an untested idea....

Or you could just use the two pump in Parrallel with a regulator..

Good Luck,
Bryan

 

This idea sound very simular to the Rasp system. Rasp is a mechanical pump that uses the stock pump as backup using a hobbs switch. Below is a pic for ya. Or like JDGnut said, running two in parallel would eliminate the problem of one pump causing restriction.

 

The warranty problem is real. Most of us have had vp44s fail and it is my opinion that the replacement ones from dodge are not the best available. I think dodge gets the cheapest rebuilds from whatever supplier they use just to get us by until out of warranty. My solution is vulcan fittings which do alot to improve flow and I have changed back to the stock lines and fittings to have it warrantied. I'm on my third vp with 80k using 12 to 16 oz of PS, Lucas, or MMO, depending on what I can get, with every fill-up. After warranty I'll relocate whatever pump I decide on back by the tank and have a spare on hand. If you see pressure start to fail it's a 10 minute job to change it on the side of the road even in a snowstorm with the wind howling!! All of the systems seem to have some problems so my approach is to keep it simple and easy to fix!

 

About a month ago, my dealer replaced my VP44 under warranty. They did not install the in-tank lift pump mod. I brought in the Vulcan lift pump kit info off their website and talked to the service manager, diesel tech, along with the warranty underwriter. They said along as the schrader valve remains for the diesel tech and the kit uses the orginal lift pump, they will honor my warranty. I talked to Eric @vulcanperformance and he hooked me up. I brought the truck back to the dealer after the mod, ad the dealer said "dodge should have done that".

So, with that being said, talk to your dealer and see what you can do. ( I know all dealers are different and I may be lucky here.. but wanted to pass this along)

Best of luck,

Joe

PS.. I have 20,000 + miles of warranty still.

 

Thanks everyone for all the views on this fuel problem with ctd's. There is alot to consider with a warrantee though.

I looked up the Vulcan lift pump kit site, and found they are located very close. I am going to stop by and have a talk with them.

Eventually I think it's going to be a Walbro 392 with a bypass line like Superduty says, and others around here have done.

I just want to be able to rely on, my new to me, 02 truck like my 92 ctd has been.

 

Good Advice! I have had good luck with my dealer as well, but I've been a little afraid to test them too much!!
Bear

 

Well based on the comments about the cooperation of the dealer with fuel systems utilizing the stock lp, look into the Rasp system. It is a belt driven *mechanical* pump that uses the stock pump as a backup. Very little could go wrong. IMHO this is a great option that gets too little attention.

http://www.powerbypoole.com/fuelpumps.html