Fuel Pump Failure

Last week the high pressure fuel pump went to pieces internally on my 2019 Frightliner Cascadia. It sent pieces of metal throughout the fuel system and the entire fuel system is being replaced. I’m told it includes all the lines, injectors, filters and even the fuel tanks. Estimated repair bill is $15,000. 520,000 + miles on this truck.

My question is this: could the fuel pump disintegrate because of anything I did or didn’t do as the driver? Sometimes when the company gives me a fuel stop and tells me to only pump 57 gals. (Just for example), I only fuel the driver’s side tank. Is that a mistake? Or is this a common thing to happen to a truck with this many miles? I know this is probably an odd question, but I’m really curious about this.

Coincidentally, the truck was in the company shop for its scheduled PM just the day before this happened.

Nothing you did, just one of those things.

Cummins tried one several years back that had internal parts made of ceramic. When these broke, it was extremely catastrophic, as in pull another engine out of the crate!

Yes sir it was. I experienced that one in person. The pump had 2 ceramic pistons. It only needed one to operate. The ceramic broke apart and went through the oil system, ie bearing and such. The replacement was made with titanim pistons. My truck originally had that one. It was discontinued mid 2013.

I prefer any Detroit for longevity, but for much better jakes, I like the Cummins.

Yes sir it was. I experienced that one in person. The pump had 2 ceramic pistons. It only needed one to operate. The ceramic broke apart and went through the oil system, ie bearing and such. The replacement was made with titanim pistons. My truck originally had that one. It was discontinued mid 2013.

I prefer any Detroit for longevity, but for much better jakes, I like the Cummins.

Anyone think that the new CEO will be an improvement?!?!? I mean, she IS female and all ... ya know! Bigger, better ideas? Thinking outside the box?!? There IS Kearsey & Laura... ya know. Groundbreakers in their own ways!

Cummins' First Female CEO, Ms. Rumsey!

Stay safe, y'all. BK, we hope you're up & runnin', soon !!

~ Anne & Tom ~

Anyone think that the new CEO will be an improvement?!?!? I mean, she IS female and all ... ya know! Bigger, better ideas? Thinking outside the box?!? There IS Kearsey & Laura... ya know. Groundbreakers in their own ways!

~ Anne & Tom ~

The only way she should have gotten that position, is if she is qualified for it. NO woman should get a position or jobs based on the fact that they are female.

My brainpan is not geared to think outside of the box. I learn by doing or example and I stick with that, that's what is safe for me to do.

Laura

In my years as a diesel engine guy, I'd rank em like this......1) Catapillar, 2) Cummin's, 3) Detroit. I especially liked the Cummin's Dodge put in their Ram trucks in the 90's, next to the Ford's 7.3 L.....Both are Iron Horse engines, and last a hella long time when taken care of !!.....Those little Escort's 1.9 liter, you could run that almost, out of oil, and not blow it up

When Dodge put the V-10's in em, I thought Ohhhh cool! Went out to drive 1, whatta POS, couldn't even smoke the tires. Where a 7.3 or Cummin's would light em up lol. Even Ford's later V-10s weren't "all that" either, where a 5.8 Windsor would out run the V-10 right off the line....The 1999 Mustang Cobra's also would not smoke the rear tires, BUT the thing would grab and launch like a rocket with the rear suspension changes they made.

i had fun taking out a CHP or Sheriff's cop cars out on the I-40, for 5 mile run. Get on the on ramp, and bury the pedal, get up to 80 in a blink. Then watch all the brake lights both directions come on hahaha. At the 5 mile road exit, I'd sit on the overpass a few minutes, and watch everyone from cars to semi's hit them brake lights lol Then re-enter the freeway and drive as fast as I could, back to the shop.....Fun Fun !

Interestingly enough, I’m currently waiting on a tow for my fuel pump.

Interestingly enough, I’m currently waiting on a tow for my fuel pump.

Oh no!!! That's a bad way to start the weekend. Sorry.