Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Bad VP44 at 45k ?

[telbert]

I installed a Banks brake and a Big Hoss last fall. Shortly after, engine lite comes on with PO216. I changed the fuel filter, reset and was good for awhile. Happened again so I added a FASS system (TDR discussions steered me away from even bothering with a new factory pump), reset and was good for 2-3 weeks. Now I'm having dead pedal and sometimes need to cycle the ignition while driving to reset. I'm not getting a code for APPS, should I try adjusting it as I saw in other thread? I suppose I'm screwed in any warranty situation with the tapped pump wire. #@$%!

Live and learn...

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Welcome to the party - mine failed at nearly the same mileage. Seems in my case, the Bosch design error of a brass internal advance cylinder led to early failure - newer rebuilts are now made of steel - and supposedly fix the earlier problem with pumps installed during the time your truck and mine were in production - luck of the draw...

 

[telbert]

I read about some who are on their fifth VP44. I think I'd be on my first Ford before that...

 

[Devan Manis]

That sucks I still have the stock vp44 in mine and I'm up to almost 255,000 miles, but I'm sure it will be my next big investment, cause it has only been pushin 500 rwhp for about a year now

 

[GiesJ]

I read about some who are on their fifth VP44. I think I'd be on my first Ford before that...

Unfortunately, I am one of these guys... Believe me, if the truck wasn't paid for I would be driving something else. So far I have had to put one in myself (ie not under warr. ) and the current one is giving me similar problems as Telbert. The current pump is #5. Two of those were bad rebuilds and replaced within the week of install. Love the truck, hate this issue...

 

[jgillott]

I read about some who are on their fifth VP44. I think I'd be on my first Ford before that...

What were your fuel pressure readings before you installed the FASS?

 

[rweis]

telbert - what year?



mid 01's - 02's seem to be where the advaance piston was changed TO brass and fail the most I think. The brass advance piston has been changed back to steel in the rebuilds in the last couple of years.



Bob Weis



See sig: VP44 replaced @ 53k, mfg date of truck was 3/02 right where the brass actuators were used. I think same for Gary his was brass actuator.

 

[NoSeeUm]

Mine took its nose dive at just over 50k.



Jim

 

[Rattlin_Ram]

Mine died about 70k. Covered under warranty though...

 

[msperos]

My 02' at work lost the VP44 at 65,000. I wasglad that it still had warrenty since I bought it in 04' brand new.

 

[Dsl_Duo]

I lost my first one @ 22,000 - replaced under warranty.
Probably died due to lack of fuel pressure.

I just replaced my second one @ 57,000 - my pocketbook.
(I have a RASP with good pressure!)
This one was mechanically sound, but the computer died.

I still love my truck!

 

[telbert]

Thanks for the input, I suppose there's comfort in knowing I'm not alone... JGillot: didn't get a pressure reading, gauge coming real soon though.

 

[rweis]

"This one was mechanically sound, but the computer died. "



Fuel temp and VP44 body temp can get very high. I think what happens is when the temps get high and the engine is running the solder gets semisolid and gets shaken off the solder joint to cause a cold solder joint.



I have a long thread about cooling the VP44 fuel return as well as cooling the VP44 body after engine shutdown.



I have mine so the fuel input temp is a MAX of OAT* + 20* regardless of what the tank level is. I have been experimenting with this for about 1 - 1 1/2 years.



Bob Weis

 

[jgillott]

Thanks for the input, I suppose there's comfort in knowing I'm not alone... JGillot: didn't get a pressure reading, gauge coming real soon though.

I really believe that is the key. I didn't install gauges in my '01 until about 17K or so. When I did, I had absolutely no fuel pressure under throttle. I installed the FASS at that point, but the original VP44 only made it to 39K.