Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) CEL and codes, including 0216-- Could my VP be dying at 40K??

[bigredcummins]

I think I will try to get warranty coverage, but I can't prove that anything is wrong with the truck. Aside from that ONE case, there are no symptoms.



I doubt a dealer wouled be willing to replace a VP that appears to be fine based solely on a 0216 code.



Of course, with my luck, it won't start acting up until I've moved to an area with a dealer that isn't as friendly as my local one.

I too had similar problems, dead pedal in January and then nothing until a couple of weeks ago when the dead pedal showed up. Checked the codes and got the good ol' 1693 and 0216 (but no CEL). Took it to the dealer last week and they ran their test... I doubt it actually acted up for them but their computer did show the vp44 was dying. They said it was still in the early stages of taking the deep 6 and that most trucks coming in, with similar problems, are a whole lot worse. They did however replace both the LP and vp44 under waranty (59k).



I just hope the next one last a lot, lot longer



God speed.

 

[Hohn]

You are your own warranty station when you start modifying things.

True-- good thing I didn't mod the pump

 

[Hohn]

Well, I guess the pump is dying for real. Tonight right after I refueld the truck started doing the goofy thing where the diesel clatter disappeared at 2100 rpm.



So I decided to look at the pipe emissions since I could MAKE it do this surging thing. Every time I made it surge (by taking it over 2100 rpm) there was white smoke coming out the pipe.



I'm 99% sure this is raw unburned fuel. CEL came on, and I have the 0216 code again.



Pump is on the way out @ 40K. I'll have to take it to the dealer... .



This sucks.



jlh

 

[Hohn]

OK-- you guys will get a kick out of this!



I took it to the dealer. They said all the codes happened 87 start cycles ago, so they are sure it was an isolated deal and the VP is fine.



Turns out they found the problem! IT WAS MY WASTEGATE HOSE



That's right-- my wastegate hose had blown off the wastegate fitting (not the one at the elbow) and THAT'S what was causing my low power and driveability problems.



I couldn't get them to explain to me how that caused my dead pedal and 0216 code, the surging and white smoke.



So after paying a mere $99 to have the "proper" wastegate hose installed and the two solid-diamond clamps needed to hold it on, the sent me back on my way.



I didn't raise a stink because they are crediting my $99 towards the $100 deductible if in fact it IS the pump.



After all, it couldn't be the PUMP, could it?? :-laf :-laf :-laf



I proceded to take out the truck on the hwy to see if *I* could duplicate the problem for them. Surprise surprise, the CEL came on and it starts acting up. I take it back to them and they are like-- "well, this is GOOD, now we can troubleshoot since the wastegate "problem" was fixed".



The good news is that they didn't see fit to void my warranty just because I had gauges and a Max-Flow.



They don't see the "low power" problem, and it's really a dog. I guess that DD2s with a dead pump are about as strong as stock sticks when the truck's running right, eh?



Their diesel tech is a guy that's on the ball and knows his stuff, imo. But they only have the one main tech, and the other guy is dong my truck under his watchful eye. Their service manager is about as clueless as the day is long. Probably can't spell ASE.



Anyway, I thought you guys might get a chuckle out of that like I did. I almost laughed at the manager when he told me their "fix"!



Justin

 

[jwilliams3]

Just hope they install your new pump right and that you get a new lift pump out of the deal.

 

[bigredcummins]

Just hope they install your new pump right and that you get a new lift pump out of the deal.

I agree with jwilliams3... why do they even toy with the idea of putting a $1500 injector pump on only to have a cheap, dying lp ruin it???

 

[Hohn]

In my case, I wouldn't expect a new LP. The stock unit is performing perfectly, so there's no reason to replace it.

 

[BarryG]

Better to have it crap out now while under warranty and hope the next one lasts longer. Hopefully they dont give you too much run around. It took me 4 trips to the dealer within a couple weeks before STAR would authorize it. As they could not duplicate the problem though I could do it on demand and even told them how to do it. Glad they fixed it under warranty but they sure drew out the process.

 

[Hohn]

I'm expecting this to be drawn out a bit. It's worth $1500+ to have some time wasted, though. I can stand the inconvenience for now.



Maybe the will realize today that the wastegate doesn't cause surging, rough idle, and white smoke. .

 

[Hohn]

Well, dip me in oil and call me slick!



Dealer changed pump and crank sensor and the truck runs GREAT!



No CEL, no problem!



Oddly enough, WOT FP went from 10 down to 9-- could the new VP be pumping more fuel?



Best of all, WARRANTY COVERED IT ALL (minus $100 deductible).



Big thanks to Cowboy Dodge in Cheyenne-- great service. Special thanks to Matt Peters, the service manager and Gary the diesel tech.



Justin

 

[BarryG]

Hey Hohn thats great. Good to hear of a major malfunction being taken care of in a timely and pleasing manner. Hopefully this one will last for the very long haul.

 

[LTustison]

I have the 0216 code only. It is 12 months and 4 days since installation. the shop that put it in says that 0216 has 3 possibilities 1) injection timing pump circuit malfunction 2) low lift pump psi or dirty filter 3) injection timing gear loose/worn

Should there be any slop/backlash at injection pump gear? With a wrench on the nut, mine has some movement, like worn gear teeth. how much is not acceptable?

 

[Hohn]

Those gears are pretty decent size, so I'd say a little movement won't cause any problems at all.



ASSuming you have decent FP (and the filter is flowing fuel), then I'd say it's the pump dying. I've seen instances of low FP causing a 216 code.



But these are RARE-- the overwhelming majority of 216 codes mean new VP pump.

 

[nps]

I'm really happy with this Wildcat Diesel Max Flow setup. When/if my VP dies, I'm just going to go to a gravity feed setup with some other kind of pump.



jlh

Justin,



From the lift pump thread (click here) . Now that you have a new VP - what are you going to do with the feed and location of the LP?

 

[Hohn]

For now, I'm leaving it right where it is.



I have the Aeroquip socketless hose (-08AN) and the bulkhead fittings already to tap the drill the tank and go to a bottom feed.



WHEN the LP dies, I'll replace it with an Aeromotive pump with a bypass regulator. This will be mounted on the frame back by the tank, fed by the bottom feed.



Depending upon the Aeromotive setup I go with, this is going to vary from very expensive to holy-cow-I-could-have-bought-a-FASS expensive.



The other alternative I'm considering is the new Essex-made Edelbrock pump. This is a VERy good unit, and I think it may be the equal of the Aeromotive pump at lower cost.



Justin

 

[pcarlson]

Justin,



Check out the FASS replacement pump, it isn't the whole setup but just a pump and mounting bracket and it mounts to the bed right by the tank. I just put one in and I'm impressed, 16 psi idle and cruise and barely moves getting on it. It was in issue 48 that John Holmes was going to test one as well so that should be in issue 49.



Pat

 

[Hohn]

I won't purchase a FASS product. There's no new technology they are using that would make it any more reliable than a Carter or some other pump (which most have proven to fail in diesel use: Carter, Mallory, Product Engineering, Holley; you name it they have all failed).



That is, except Aeromotive and Essex. Their pumps use different materials, and they can be expected to last 2000 hrs or more.



JMO

 

[Casey Ray]

I won't purchase a FASS product. There's no new technology they are using that would make it any more reliable than a Carter or some other pump (which most have proven to fail in diesel use: Carter, Mallory, Product Engineering, Holley; you name it they have all failed).



That is, except Aeromotive and Essex. Their pumps use different materials, and they can be expected to last 2000 hrs or more.



JMO

I thought I had read somewhere that the FASS is a scaled down version of the pump being used on the OTR trucks?



Casey

 

[MKoth]

I thought I had read somewhere that the FASS is a scaled down version of the pump being used on the OTR trucks?



Casey

I doubt it, as most over the road trucks use a mechanical pump driven off the front gear set, or a cam lobe on the injection pump. Cat, Detroit, and Cummins anyways.