Diesel mechanic help!!!

[HandiKap Bowhunter]

I have an 02 Dodge Cummings that has started running bad. I took it to the Dealership and got a call today that they needed to replace the Transfer pump, injector pump, flush all lines and fuel tank. Cost came out to about 3200 bucks.

My question is if one is bad does all this need to be done and is it usually that much. Im a pretty good mechanic but never mess with the fuel end on Diesels.

[rubydog]

The transfer pump on an 02 should be on the side of the block near the fuel filter and you should be able to tackle that yourself (often called a lift pump). The injector pump can be a bit more difficult be cause of timing issues. My suggestion is replace the lift pump first and see if that cures your problem then address the injector pump. It has been my experience that injector pumps fail completely not partially and lift pumps can get weak and generally cause problems with starting like they are loseing their prime. Good luck with it!

[cashcropper]

Get a second opinion.Low suction pressure to the injection pump could cause premature injection pump failure or the injection pump could be going out on its own.Is it giving codes? Dont know why on flushing tank and lines unless full of trash and in this case the filter should catch it before the injection pump.If you dont already have a fuel pressure guage please get one installed as it will give you a heads up on when to change the lift pump. If its the injection pump I can understand the lift pump also,just dont understand the flushing. Do some research on turbodieselregister.com. Good Dodge site.

[Bubba]

Everyone I know that have had transfer pump problems ony replace the transfer pump.

[KickerPoint79]

I went through this with my 02 cummins last year. Usually when the lift pump goes bad, it can take the injection pump with it. The diesel fuel acts as a lubricant for the inj pump. So when the lift pump does not provide enough fuel pressure, it will wear out quick. I changed the lift pump out myself but I could still tell something else was wrong. I ordered a new injection pump online and had a local mechanic install. At the end of the day it cost me about 2000 dollars. I think the lift pump was 180$ ,injection pump was 1400$, then about 350$ for the install I think. The dealer diagnosis is probably correct, they just charge an arm and leg for it. Not sure why they are flushing the system though.

[Javelin]

The Lift or transfer pump on your truck sucks from the factory and because they get weak they dont supply enough fuel to the injection pump. The injection pump (VP44) is cooled by fuel so it heats up and gets destroyed. Do yourself a HUGE favor and put a FASS or Airdog or similar aftermarked lift pump on your truck. Then if it still runs bad go ahead and replace the vp44. The vp44 when it quits totally your truck will not even crank most of the time. it is probably damaged but you can probably get by a few months just going to a better lift pump. Good Idea to get a fuel pressure guage also and dont ever let it fall below about 8 psi I had to put a FASS on mine after I installed guages and saw I was pulling my pressure down to 0 with stock IP. a year later my already damaged VP44 finally died and I had to get a new one. MY FASS gives me about 14psi

[jared_bays]

I have an '03 cummins and have had to replace the injector pump once and the transfer/lift pump twice. The injector pump went out right before 100k and took 2 injectors with it. About 20k later the transfer pump went out and the crooks at Boerne Dodge replaced it with the same piece of junk pump, so it went out again 80k later. Dodge had developed a replacement pump that went into the tank rather than the rail mounted pump that was known to be defective. By all accounts, once the transfer pump is replaced you shouldn't have to do it again. BTW, the cummins transfer pump is no longer from what I've been told. Price sounds right for all of that work, but who knows if replacing just one will do the trick.

[Mike D]

Javelin is spot on.

[HandiKap Bowhunter]

Thanks guys especially javalin. Think that's the way to go. I feel they are just trying to cover their butt and replace it all. I will do as suggested and go aftermarket and might throw a 50hp chip on while I'm at it.