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Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) At what mileage has your VP 44 died

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Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Is this the time?

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Vaughn, Its hanging in there temporarily. But I dont trust it. To many dead pedals, I know its just a matter of time till it leaves me walking. So I have a new one on order. Did quite a bit of research on-line on how to replace and it looks quite easy with the right tools (puller). Ill let you know how it goes.
 
Original VP, RIP @ 117K Many thanks to those who have posted on how to install a VP44, saved a stack of cash. More importantly, I bought a stack of new parts (including a FASS) with the money I saved by DIY.
 
hi, mine died at 116000 kilometers far too soon but i didi get it on warrenty,accually i lucked out there. the guys at dodge thought it was the turbo so they put on a new one off those too, only to realize after that it was the vp after.
 
First one died at just over 40,000 miles & the second one died at just over 80,000 miles - replaced lift pump this time. Put FASS HPFP 95 on just after 80,000 mile VP44 replacement. Now hoping that I don't have to change the next one @ 120,000.
 
1st - 83k, 2nd 143k, 3rd - currently 0216 codes and many stumbles under power. Relo'd pump after first failure, added 1/2" draw-straw, big fuel line kit, no banjos. solid 14. 4 psi FP at idle, 13. 5 under load w/ trailer.
This thing is getting traded in on something reliable, like a Yugo!
 
I am amazed at the failures of these vp-44 pumps. I was a diesel mechanic for 15 years way back in the 1950 and 60. I seen lots of pumps die mostly from water and dirt. Filters in those days were not as good as they are now. If the fuel was kept clean they would run a long time. My vp-44 and injectors have 536,000 kms or over 330,000K ,and are still working perfectly. Fuel mielage is still 22mph (us Gal ) . Never been starting issue,or driving problem. I can only credit the addatives I have use since the beginning for its long life. I have a rebuilt pump and new injectors sitting in a box for 2 years expecting the pump to quit.
 
I dont think most people believe in them,and there is no gurantee that that is the reason for the long life of my vp-44. However since I have not done anything else to prolong its life I am left with the conclusion that the additives are the reason. I use marvels mystery oil and howes meaner cleaner. the amounts are not measured exactly so it is from expierence on how much. Approxmately 6oz. of mmo and 3 oz of howes at fill up. I fuel up at 1/4 t0 1/2 tank so some additives are still remaining from last fill. If you run your tank down to near empty I would probably double the amounts.

Hope this is of some help. I will post here when the pump finally dies.
 
FourBarR,
I have a previous post on this thread. I bought a 98. 5 in early 98, it was one of the first out. The original VP-44 went out at less than 2 mos. around 18000 mi. , at that time TDR had a TBS about a change in fuel filters, seems Dodge was not using the right filter. Dodge replaced the the pump under warranty, I ran that pump for 360000 mi. until I sold the . truck in 2002. Last I heard from truck it was still running at 450000 mi. That was a few years ago. The 2002 I have now had the original pump until I lost #6 cylinder at 535000 mi. At that time I felt she had earned a new VP, now have 115000 mi. on this VP. I did bench test the original, it was showing some wear but still within specs. In 1998 Joe or John had an article about FLEETGUARD FUEL FILTERS, I have followed this since that time. I have feel that clean fuel and proper fuel pressure are the keys to long life. I change at 10000mi. or less. Also I very seldom use adds. although they can`t hurt.
 
I bought my 2001 at 46000mi. , and it now has 177000. I don't know if it had the original VP when I bought it. It has had three bad episodes during my ownership: fuel starvation due to a plugged fuel filter and two lift pump failures. I put in a fuel pressure gauge after the first lift pump failure, so when the second occurred, I could see the low pressure condition (1 or 2 psi), and drive accordingly. At that point, I got tired of screwing around with the junk OE lift pump, and put in a Holley blue fuel pump, locating it as close to the tank as possible. It runs 12psi at idle, and 10psi under heavy load when the fuel filter is new. I monitor the pressure gauge, and change the filter when pressure drops to 6psi under load.



I have a good supply of clean waste motor oil from my job, so I run 6% waste oil during the summer. I put in a pint of Power Service diesel fuel treatment every other fillup.



It works for me so far.
 
Quite at 132,045 miles. Heading home from work in snow storm and just DIED. Have had a FASS system for several years so fuel pressure was not a recent issue except for prior years.
 
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