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Old 11-06-2021, 10:41 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
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Diesel Lift pump

I have a 1997Bluebird with Cummins 8.3 that seems to have a damaged in tank lift pump. My brother suggested the pickup tubes may have corroded.

It is midship so may be hard to get to.

Anyone else replace one of these?

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Old 11-07-2021, 10:53 AM   #2
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if you havent renovated and covered over it then there should be an access hole/cover in your floor specically for access to the pump/sending unit
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Old 11-07-2021, 11:06 AM   #3
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Fuel pump

Sadly I did hardwood floors. I will have to cut part of it up.

Have you replaced one or know someone who did? It showed itself by dieing while tank was 3/4 full. Also having trouble climbing hills. On flat open space can do 65 but takes very little to struggle.


I am afraid my turbo may also have quit. Not sure how to test for that.
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Old 11-07-2021, 11:22 AM   #4
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have changed fuel filters and or checked fuel pressure to know for sure that its the pump or pick up tube?
i would drop the tank and while the tank is out spot the access panel from underneath and pilot hole the corners up through the flooring so that only what you need is cut out inside for access.
the long hard way now will save you later.
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Old 11-07-2021, 05:27 PM   #5
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The engine died of fuel starvation. I put 28 gallons in a 65 gallon tank. I had to bleed out air from the water separator then from the high pressure pump. I got us home but I kept the tank above the level that 28 gallons would be. I will start with pump and then see if that addresses my issues.
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Old 11-07-2021, 10:33 PM   #6
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Our rig -- 1996 Ford CF8000 with Cummins 505ci (8.3qt) mechanical.
.
For nearly two decades, I been all over and under this vehicle, I thought I knew every bolt.
No 'lift pump' I can see, only the mechanical suction-pump on the engine block.
.
If somebody knows different, I am willing to learn.
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Old 11-08-2021, 10:26 AM   #7
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Some have the lift pump bolted to the engine. Mine doesn’t. The tank is 65 gallons so even if it is down the 15 gallon as it is, it is still 500 lbs to work with. Lift pump is varied by model year. I wish I could have had a 96. I thought about looking for a bung hole on bottom of the tank to mount an external electric pump but the issue of pouring diesel all over me and everything else sounds like a bad idea. Don’t know where to safely store 50+ gallons to empty it.
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Old 11-08-2021, 09:49 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rognyt23 View Post
Some have the lift pump bolted to the engine. Mine doesn’t. The tank is 65 gallons so even if it is down the 15 gallon as it is, it is still 500 lbs to work with. Lift pump is varied by model year. I wish I could have had a 96. I thought about looking for a bung hole on bottom of the tank to mount an external electric pump but the issue of pouring diesel all over me and everything else sounds like a bad idea. Don’t know where to safely store 50+ gallons to empty it.
Siphon/hand pump it into a clean 55 gal drum.
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Old 11-13-2021, 09:33 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rognyt23 View Post
Some have the lift pump bolted to the engine. Mine doesn’t. The tank is 65 gallons so even if it is down the 15 gallon as it is, it is still 500 lbs to work with. Lift pump is varied by model year. I wish I could have had a 96. I thought about looking for a bung hole on bottom of the tank to mount an external electric pump but the issue of pouring diesel all over me and everything else sounds like a bad idea. Don’t know where to safely store 50+ gallons to empty it.
As others have mentioned, siphon the fuel off into a 5 gallon can then dump into a 55 gallon drum . I paid 15.00 for a clean closed head drum here in pdx. With the age of your bus it probably needs the tank cleaned out anyway.

If you really don't want to pull the tank its not hard to measure through the fuel door to the sender location then get the approximate location of the opening covered by your floor. Probe the area with a small like 1/8 bit until you find the edges then carefully cut it out .

I would really recommend pulling the tank and thoroughly cleaning it out. My bus came with service records showing it was towed for clogged fuel filters about every 2 years. It was still clogging them even with the regular fuel filter changes it had.

I now have a clean tank, 100% new fuel lines from tank to engine and back. For me it is piece of mind that I will never mess with the tank on the road.
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Old 11-13-2021, 05:02 PM   #10
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Does the bus have the CAPS (Cummins Accumulator Pump System)or a mechanical injector pump? The mechanical ones I have looked at have a pump mounted on the block-- but maybe some year models had an electric pump in the tank?
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Old 11-14-2021, 01:02 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rognyt23 View Post
Some have the lift pump bolted to the engine. Mine doesn’t. The tank is 65 gallons so even if it is down the 15 gallon as it is, it is still 500 lbs to work with. Lift pump is varied by model year. I wish I could have had a 96. I thought about looking for a bung hole on bottom of the tank to mount an external electric pump but the issue of pouring diesel all over me and everything else sounds like a bad idea. Don’t know where to safely store 50+ gallons to empty it.



transmission jack?
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Old 11-14-2021, 07:34 AM   #12
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The “extra power” you are missing may be from the turbo dying as you mention. If the turbo does not make full boost your injection pump will not put out full amount of fuel.
It could be just as simple as a boot on some of pipes. On the engine air charge cooler.
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Old 11-14-2021, 10:54 AM   #13
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I will check that. Thanks for the suggestion. A rubber construction would be quite cheaper than a new or rebuild turbo.
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Old 11-14-2021, 04:42 PM   #14
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lift pump

I'm not 100 % on an 8.3 but I called Thomas and they assured me no such thing as an in tank pump on the 5.9. If I was you call up Thomas. They are real helpful. They sent me blueprints of shocks and leaf springs and other stuff. They will know for sure.
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Old 11-16-2021, 04:21 PM   #15
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Thanks to all, I am having to learn a lot. I found the lift pump on the block. Please be patient with my ignorance. I still have to open the top of the tank due to suspect of corroded pick up tubes.

Will keep seeking here.
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Old 11-16-2021, 09:23 PM   #16
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As far as I know both the 8.3 mechanical and the ISC only had lift pumps at the engine. You could have a crack in your suction fuel line which is pulling air into the lift pump which would cause fuel starvation.

Ted
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Old 11-17-2021, 12:54 PM   #17
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Found the leaking rubber boot for the turbocharger. It separated letting pressure go,
Still need to find air leak for fuel system. So long as we keep it above 3/4 full there is no problem.

Thank you all so much!
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