Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) another 33k miles, and another VP44

[Straight6Jeff]

Seems like about 33k is the magical number for my second VP. Started acting upa few months ago, with dead pedal and extremely harsh cruise-control engagement. It has been throwing the p0216 for about four months now. Last night the lack of throttle response was so bad, I couldn't get over 50 mph. Ah well, time to call the dealer.



This pump has never seen any boxes, injectors, or other performance mods. I am running the FASS



I guess I'm lucky in that it gave me plenty of warning before it is gonna take a dump.

 

[Lordsman]

Fuel Pressure?

Whats your fuel pressure been doing? I had my lift pump get weak at 50k(11 idle/5 WOT), put a new pump on and it runs at 16 idle and drops no lower than 13. Never had an injector pump go, only engine modification is a VA and a e-brake. Never go past 15k miles before I change the fuel filter. Up to 74k miles now. Dealer(Johnson Auto Plaza/Brighton,CO)wouldn't warranty my weak lift pump. :-{}

Bought one from Cummins and installed it myself.

 

[FourBarR]

dont understand the injection pump problems, some people are having. i have 337960kms. on original vp44. its of coarse on of the early ones that are not suppose to be as good as the later ones. some of the reasons my has lasted are--never run wot, never snap throttle open or closed,no boxes to increase power,always use howes meaner in every tank,fuel filter changed at 20,000k, use only fleetguard filters,check for water on regular basis(never thust warning light),have fuel pressure gauge, never run when pressure is below 8 p. s. i. at 70mph. (change lift pump)always warm up 5 minutes from cold, always cool down to 300 f. before shut down. works for me.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"dont understand the injection pump problems, some people are having. i have 337960kms. on original vp44. its of coarse on of the early ones that are not suppose to be as good as the later ones. some of the reasons my has lasted are--never run wot, never snap throttle open or closed,no boxes to increase power,always use howes meaner in every tank,fuel filter changed at 20,000k, use only fleetguard filters,check for water on regular basis(never thust warning light),have fuel pressure gauge, never run when pressure is below 8 p. s. i. at 70mph. (change lift pump)always warm up 5 minutes from cold, always cool down to 300 f. before shut down. works for me. "





Well fella, *I* would say you "understand" the situation EXTREMELY well!



NOW, if we could get the rest of the guys up to speed, maybe we would see a substantial reduction in VP-44 problems...

 

[JFinke]

dont understand the injection pump problems, some people are having. i have 337960kms. on original vp44. its of coarse on of the early ones that are not suppose to be as good as the later ones. some of the reasons my has lasted are--never run wot, never snap throttle open or closed,no boxes to increase power,always use howes meaner in every tank,fuel filter changed at 20,000k, use only fleetguard filters,check for water on regular basis(never thust warning light),have fuel pressure gauge, never run when pressure is below 8 p. s. i. at 70mph. (change lift pump)always warm up 5 minutes from cold, always cool down to 300 f. before shut down. works for me.

Well I have over 260,000 miles that I belive would be about 440,000 kms and run WOT alot, snap the throttle alot, :-laf have a comp, and have bigger injectors. :--) I do run power service all winter and every third or fourth tank the rest of the year(when I remember). I change the filter every spring and fall and if fuel psi goes below 16 (have max flo and pusher pump) at WOT (which I use ALOT Oo. ) I also change the filter. Usually only have to do it spring and fall as I use fuel from my own barrels and filter it going into the truck. If I'm not in a hurry I let the truck warm up, if not I keep the boost below 10PSI untill it's at operating temp. I also let the turbo cool down to 350*. At least 75% of my miles are spent towing 10,000lbs or more. The VP has outlived the NV5600. I think good maintenance, good fuel psi, a little common sense, and a lot of luck goes into a long lived VP. Jake

 

[Bob4x4]

The 02 HO,s have different internals than others,talk directly to a Bosche pump builder that will tell you the truth.



Bob

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

The '02's feature a slightly different fuel flow per stroke - probably due to a pump bore difference - but no other internal mechanical differences I am aware of...

 

[98rammer]

i've never seen jeff beat on his truck like some members i've heard of.



and i want a 24v

 

[2-ND TIME]

vp-44 pump

On this bain vane of the pump CAN ANYONE OUT THERE READ TECHNICAL POLISH NEED SOMETHING TRANSLATED AND VERY SHORT OF MONEY NOW. The translator on the web is of little help. PLESASEEEEEEEE. If i can get something translated it might help allllll of us. look up www.vp-44 vp44 tuchoika diagnostika etc etc on the web. Think that is mostly right might be backwards????

 

[SEmerson]

I am so sick of changing my vp44 that I now have my 14 year old son doing it. He can change one by himself. Problem is he is getting sick of it too. I will never buy another 24v.

 

[mhenon]

The 02 HO,s have different internals than others,talk directly to a Bosche pump builder that will tell you the truth.



Bob

Tell us what you know Bob!!!!

 

[Hohn]

The '02's feature a slightly different fuel flow per stroke - probably due to a pump bore difference - but no other internal mechanical differences I am aware of...

The cam ring is also different in that it has more aggressive "bumps" on the donut hole part. The pump bores on the HO pump are acutally SMALLER (that's why boxes give less hp on the HO) and the injectors are smaller as well.

As a results, the stock HO is using much more of its available fueling than a stock SO is.

The more aggressive cam ring on the HO is the main reason that HOs respond better to injectors.

Justin

 

[Straight6Jeff]

The dealer spent six hours diagnosing the pump as being bad, per Chryslers hot-line engineers. They told the dealer that there is nothing wrong with these pumps and that "someithing else is going on with this truck". They are replacing it under warranty, but Chrysler told the dealer that this is the last pump that will be replaced on this truck under warranty. I told the dealer that if these pumps are supposed to be so good, I shouldn't have another problem... should I?



Just a thought, it seems like the HO pumps fail more regularly that the SO pumps. I notive the problem with the cruise control engagement long before any other symptoms appear with the pump. Being that the cruise mechanism is integral to the pump (on the HO), I wonder if there is someithin In the cruise set up on the HO pump that is detrimental?

 

[Straight6Jeff]

Oh yeah, one more thing, DC made the dealer remove the pump cover to look for the pierced epoxy from the performace covers. Just something to consider if warranty is important to you. I can honestly say that the previous pump saw absolutely NO mods at all. Although I did have two lift pumps fail on that VP.

 

[TPopp]

Can you explain to me the harsh cruise control engagement? Is it that throw you back feeling once you hit the set button? If so... damn!! Thanks.

 

[Straight6Jeff]

Yep, that's the feeling. IT is a "jerky" engagement, usually loosing about four mph, then catching back up. It also progressed to a point where it would over/undershoot set speed.