Lost my MPG

[ChrisWilliams]

I don't know anything about a dial indicator, I didn't use one and I had a reman Bosch pump already locked down. If you are getting 18 psi boost, it is getting fuel or you wouldn't be seeing that much. It would be good to verify fuel pressure, I believe a new lift pump puts out 5 psi at idle and around 3 psi WOT, as long as you have positive pressure at WOT, it should be good. Is the boost running normal at all driving conditions or is it running a little higher? 12 mpg is what I would expect when towing under load.

 

[bbilt]

My mistake the pump is lock and the dial indicator is to set the engine at TDC

 

[DVolk]

That might be the mistake i dont think the timing is a TDC , i dont use the dial indicator and im not convienced most guys know how to use them , Id do one of 2 things , If you have not replaced your lift pump do so , $45 at Napa , done easy , if you can do a wrench and blesd the injectors you can do this job i could coach you on the phone . If no change with the lift pump you have to pull the timing cover and re install the pump locked in correct timing then put the timing gear as the book shows as ill bet money its off time a notch , one option might be to lossen your pump and push it towards the block and tighten and see what that does that might advance the timing just enough .

 

[bbilt]

Thats what I have been thinking it off timing by 1 notch. But been told that it would smoke, and it doesn't. I have changed a lift pump on the other truck. But also been told that if you have good boost(18-20) you have fuel pressure. I have been told sooooo many thing some times I don't what to think. The pump it self was advanced some. Thanks for the insite

 

[ChrisWilliams]

I'll look for the instructions for changing the VE this evening and post them for you. The lift pump should be changed, you have good boost, so you have fuel and some pressure, but not necessarily full pressure. I would change the lift pump along with the VE every time. I would also get a fuel pressure gauge for piece of mind. We are all thinking the same thing, it's off a notch, you're gonna have to pull the timing cover.

 

[DVolk]

Id change the fuel filter even if you changed it before the work was done , i have actually seen plastic and suran wrap in filters and what not if you missed it you might be partially blocked .
The 2 stroke oil adds lubrication to the pump , much like there was when the truck was new with sulfur in the fuel

 

[cerberusiam]

Using the dial indicator sets the travel of the rotor in the distribution head. It is set with engine at TDC and the pump unlocked, you rotate the pump to get the correct readings. That said, how they found TDC might be the source of the problem. The dimple in the cam gear is not always on though the little it can be off is usually not enough to worry about, for the most part that gets ignored and TDC is set by tthe valve drop method to find true TDC.

How close to the head is the pump? Is there any more room to rotate it towards the head?

As bad as it sounds, you have a know good pump available. You are probably further ahead swapping IP's to see if it is the pump or the timing.

 

[bbilt]

I have changed air filter & fuel filters.
The pump is almost touching, not much room. How close is it when set stock?
The pump was disassembled and inspected, reset to stock and tested on their machine, then advanced from 1.25 to 1.45
Tested at Express Diesel a Bosch service center
Thanks Guys
Searching for my MPGs

 

[cerberusiam]

Stock you would have room for almost 2 fingers between pump and head, sounds like yours is advanced.

I would swap pumps and see if that makes a difference. The dirty little secret is most Bosch Service centers do not see enough of these pumps to have the experience to know how to set them up correctly. They can make thme run but that does not mean they are right or the same as they were before. Just getting the internal settings for for the rotor assembly is almost impossible, you either have to play with the settings to see what happens or find someone that knows what it should be and works.

 

[bbilt]

Stock you would have room for almost 2 fingers between pump and head, sounds like yours is advanced.

I would swap pumps and see if that makes a difference. The dirty little secret is most Bosch Service centers do not see enough of these pumps to have the experience to know how to set them up correctly. They can make thme run but that does not mean they are right or the same as they were before. Just getting the internal settings for for the rotor assembly is almost impossible, you either have to play with the settings to see what happens or find someone that knows what it should be and works.

Where might I find someone with this knowledge, I'm in San Diego and talked with several shop and not been impressed with there knowledge in the pump area.
Thanks

 

[cerberusiam]

Where might I find someone with this knowledge

Unfortunately, cannot answer that. Very few people left in the shops that truly know these pumps that well.

 

[MMeier]

Give diesel specialists a call , they are here in Vegas. Ask for Darrell, they will probably do my ve if the time comes.

 

[DVolk]

Id go find a cummins shop some place , maybe a actual dealer and one that's been there for a while one thing you might check , its a long shot , see if there is a Frito lay service shop in the area , if you know were there is a distributor in the area and there help full maybe you can find mechanic that knows the ve pumps how ever one shop to call down there would be A& R diesel

 

[HHhuntitall]

As cerebrusiam stated, and has been my experience working on public vehicles, the pump is probably not set up correctly internally. Most of the good techs that learned these pumps inside and out were middle aged when the pumps were first installed in the Dodges... 25+ years later, many have retired. Today's technicians have to be able to hook it up to their laptop..... Mostly. There are a few good ones out there who can properly set up the internals of the pump, but most have long since retired or moved on to other jobs, as there just aren't that many mechanical injection pumps to work on anymore. Larry at Cummins Southern Plains, Fort Worth, TX (Cummins Global recently purchased them back) is one of the best I know, but he's 64yrs old, and plans on retiring in two years. Next is Gary Bramblit at Able Fuel Injection in Lewisville, TX. He's been doing it 30+years, and has his own business. As for most Bosch rebuilders, they are setting up off the book's little diagrams and charts. Most don't have a clue what needs to be done to optimize the injection sequence. And timing is critical on those pumps, as stated. Mechanically, it functions correctly. But if the timing is delayed, it won't smoke, which is the point. All the emission standards add pressure on Bosch and rebuilders to prevent smoking, so their "suggested" pump tuning is calibrated to reduce emissions..... by causing you to use more fuel. BUT IT WON'T SMOKE!!! Add Low Sulfur fuel, and it needs another 2-3* timing, IMO, on top of the 3-6* it should already have over factory. Using a dial indicator will give you the correct timing specs from Dodge at the time of manufacture, yes, but not what it needs to function at optimum. My suggestion would be to seek out another shop, as suggested above. Perhaps find one with a technician older than 50yrs..... I'm afraid I'm limited in my own knowledge of the internals of the VE pump, and can't say I'd take it apart without a book. But I can say, from what I see of today's rebuilders and technicians, I'm more than capable than they are at rebuilding these pumps.... I've done it, and have the broken parts to prove it! I've also gained the knowledge that I'm not the best suited to do it....

 

[DVolk]

I just thought of some thing , call it dumb but , If there is any farm tractor dealers mainly Case or a Komatsu dealer a lot of farm tractors have the VE pump on them go talk to them as those guys will know the pumps as they see them more often

 

[bbilt]

Up date: New lift pump cas I had it, turned up the fuel screw, it made a different in the truck response, lets see if it helps at the pump.
Still searching for my MPGs
Bill in San Diego

 

[DVolk]

I hope you instaalled a new filter and checked to make sure the fuel supply line isnt leaking

 

[bbilt]

New filter & no leaks. Time to fill the tank and go on a test run.
Searching for my MPGs
Bill in San Diego

 

[bbilt]

Up date : I'm still getting the 12 MPGs and lose of power. Turned up the fuel and gained so power but lost 1 mile per gallon. Before I turned up the fuel screw the truck couldn't climb over a 4x4 in the driveway. Tramission shop said lack of power. Still search for a solution.
Thanks guy for all your help.
Bill in San Diego

 

[Fastback67]

I'm currently getting roughly 16 MPG with my all original VE... I'm almost afraid to touch it now after reading all this... Dang!