Community Forums

hdeddie · 08-26-2015, 02:17 PM

I have a 2002 Safari Sahara with 350 Cummins ISC, and recently discovered that my lift pump is leaking at the gasket where it meets the engine block. Just a weep. But want to fix it before it gets worse. I've sourced the pump thru Cummins (337.45), but am wondering about the labor involved. I'm getting quotes all over the place. 2-5 hours, between 80.00 to 130.00 an hour. Not sure which way to go. Or who to trust. I' m in western Washington, soon to be heading to AZ. I go thru Coburg OR on my way. Anybody have any input either here or there or otherwise. Thanks. Ed M. 2002 Safari Sahara.

Gary RVRoamer · 08-26-2015, 04:14 PM

Is this a "C" engine rather than ISC? I though the IS-series Cummins (ISC, ISL, etc) had electric fuel lift pumps? Not mounted on the engine at all. The mechanical (vs electronic) control C engine used a mechanical pump.

JBDISCOVERY · 08-26-2015, 05:07 PM

Interesting question: Not having any pictures or knowledge of your lift pump and engine, I wonder if backing the current lift pump off from the engine block and then using a new gasket or gasket maker might solve your problem. Having just replaced the boost pump on our Cummins ISB 275, I would say doing it yourself is possible if you are handy. Took a couple of hours, which I enjoyed doing, to replace the OEM lift pump.
Good luck,
JimB

abarkl · 08-26-2015, 05:16 PM

Mine was leaking at one point but I think it has magically stopped in the past few months.

I have heard a number of people taking a wrench to the ISC engine-mounted lift pump and after just a few turns the leaks stopped. Albeit very difficult to get to on mine from both the bedroom floor or from the ground, I plan to give "that fix" a try if it starts leaking again.

Gearhead383 · 08-27-2015, 06:00 AM

Defiantly get it repaired before you take your trip. If it's leaking fuel, it's also causing your injector pump to suck air.
I tighten the 3 bolts the mount the pump to the pump manifold and it stopped leaking for a while. When it started to leak again, it was worse. Apparently, the gasket and seals in the pump are not compatible with the low sulfur diesel and are slowly deteriorating. Assuming your pump is like mine, the picture shows (in blue) which bolt to tighten. I ended up replacing the whole pump myself. Took me about 5hrs to do. Now I believe I can do it in about 2.5 -3 hrs. This will vary depending on access. I don't have any recommendations as to who should do the work but it's not that technical of a job. As you can see two supply lines, two bango bolts, one line to the filter and an electrical connection. Hope this helps with your decision. Good luck!

Dave Fernandez · 08-27-2015, 04:47 PM

I just replaced the Transfer Pump (Name Per Cummins) last week on my 2001 ISC 350. I had in the past tightened the three bolts and the leak only got worse. Cummins counterman said the new transfer pump had been improved over the original to deal with the new fuels and he advised me to purchase the O Rings and banjo bolt seals for the new pump.

It took me a little over three hours to replace because of the 100º+ temperatures and high humidity. It was also my first time replacing the pump. My Alpine has an island bed so gaining access was relatively easy just left the bed.

The hardest part was having to go back into the garage and get the correct size wrench or socket. I had to tap the socket on a couple of bolts because they were painted when the engine was new. I did find that if I loosened the fittings while the pump was bolted to the engine was easier than trying to hold the pump in one hand while trying loosening the fittings.

hdeddie · 08-29-2015, 11:29 AM

Well after reading everyone's posts, I decided to pressure wash and clean the area and located the three bolts and the each took a half to three quarter turns. Did the trick. It is no longer leaking. How long that lasts is anybody's guess. I will keep a close eye on it. And in the event it doe's need to be changed, I've decided to do the job myself. I got lots of good advise on the forums. Thanks for all of your help. Ed.