Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 2001 fuel bleed problems

[Kalaehina]

Was going to relocate my fuel pressure sending unit from the filter housing to the banjo bolt, well ever since then I've spent all day trying to get all the air out of the fuel system, and now I have an engine light on. Truck starts and idles, but once I start to drive it, she starts to stumble. What is the proper procedure for purging the air out of the system?

Sorry-Truck is a 2001 HO 6 speed 4x4

 

[Kalaehina]

Also getting code P0300, P0301, P0303. I guess related to when I was trying to get the air out of the system.

 

[JR]

If the truck starts and idles fine you likely have another issue besides air in the fuel. Look for something amiss, something you may have unplugged, left loose, etc. when you were wrenching on your truck.

What kind of fuel pressure are you seeing, at idle and at the point the engine starts cutting out?

 

[Kalaehina]

Forgot to mention, now my pressure gauge is inop, I'm sure it's related. Fuel pressures were all ok prior to me touching the truck. I'll double check everything I messed with or possibly disturbed. Thanks!

 

[Kalaehina]

Oh, now I have the P0216 code come up. Can't help but believe I caused it and not the pump failing, otherwise it's a horrible coincidence!

 

[JR]

It sounds like your having lift pump issues. Rough running at higher RPM, fuel pressure gauge inop, and a 0216 code (which can be caused by low fuel pressure) If you bump the key, can you hear the lift pump run? If you can hear it running, while it is still on crack a fitting loose downstream of the lift pump but before the injection pump. What do you see? Air, fuel, or a little of both?

 

[hcole]

Sounds to me like your lift pump quit sometime ago and the VP44 was drawing fuel on its own. Then you broke the prime when you relocated the pressure sensor. Now you may have damaged the VP44.

 

[Kalaehina]

Sorry, I keep forgetting important info about my truck. I replaced the factory lift pump with a FASS pump last year (truck had 37,000 miles at the time), truck is at 57,000 miles now. Is it possibly my lift pump went out? I opened the line at the IP and fuel comes out at a steady stream. When I was bleeding the air out there were some bubbles at first but then it was just straight fuel. I opened injectors # 1, 3, and 4 and there was a heavy spray out of 1 and not as much but still a healthy spray out of 3 and 4. Truck starts fine and idles fine, she sounds very healthy and strong at idle, once rims get to around 1700 she starts to stumble.

 

[JR]

OK, your lift pump sounds like it's doing it's thing, but you need to figure out the issue with your fuel pressure gauge so you can get some solid numbers and be positive it's performing properly. Replacing a VP44 is an expensive mistake and best to know, not assume fuel pressure.

Also check to make sure there are no restrictions in air intake and charge piping and all clamps are tight and secure. A partial blockage may allow the truck to idle but starve at higher rpm.

If you have the means to clear your codes that may be helpful, to see if any come back. Hopefully the 300, 301, and 303 were somehow triggered when you were cranking with no fuel pressure. If they come back after you clear the codes you may be looking at another VP.

 

[Kalaehina]

Thanks for the info, I'll see about getting a accurate pressure reading, and go from there. I want to try to get those codes cleared and see if they return (I hope not!). I'll report what I find, thanks again!

 

[hcole]

Kalaehina, you may have a piece of debris in your fass pump in the pressure bypass valve that will limit pressure and flow. I have my fass on the rail next to the tank and the other day it dropped pressure and I had to limp it to my shop. I then took it apart and found a tiny piece of something black that was keeping the white nylon? check ball off its seat. It has a spring pushing it down on the seat that I had stretched a while back to gain more pressure. I cleaned it out, put it back together and I now have 17-18 psi at the VP44.

 

[Kalaehina]

OK I need to check out my FASS as well. How do I go about clearing the codes? I see so many different methods online, but is it as simple as disconnecting the battery? Touching cables? etc..... ?

 

[JR]

You will need a code reader or a Smarty or a Scan Gauge to clear them.

 

[Kalaehina]

Ok, cleared the codes, will check the fuel pressure tomorrow. Now that I've cleared them how long would it take for the code to return? As soon as I start the truck? Drive for a bit? Idle?

 

[JR]

It's hard to say but since those codes are related to the injection pump I would guess if they were going to come back they would do so once you idle it up to the point it starts cutting out again.

 

[Kalaehina]

OK codes came back *** soon as I got the rpms up, still 0226 code. I'm getting a pressure reading today and also checking everything I can. I noticed a sound coming from the actual fuel pressure gauge in the cab, sort of lick a clicking noise. I can't help but think I caused something disastrous to the injection pump. Not a good feeling here.

 

[Kalaehina]

Since we're on subject, any suggestions for replacements? Price? Durability wise??

 

[JR]

0226? Are you sure about that?

 

[Kalaehina]

Code P0216

 

[JR]

That's not a good one to get, although it doesn't always mean your VP is shot. Did you have any problems before you broke into your fuel system? How about fuel pressure, any good readings yet?
Basically, a 0216 is caused by one of two things: either the VP can no longer reach full advancement (which could cause the symptoms you describe) or low fuel pressure at wide open throttle. (which could also cause the symptoms you describe). First things first, you absolutely need to verify fuel pressure before condemning the VP.