Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Died on the highway...

[BoeingDiesel]

So, I was driving home this morning from LAX and moved over to another lane pushing down on the pedal and the Cummins’ just died. Once I got on the side I was able to restart but the idle was extremely rough and wouldn’t increase RPM’s. Fuel pressure was steady at 13 psi. I got it towed home and plugged in the scanner and 3 codes came up… 0251 / 1688 / 0252. From what I’ve read, that would seem to indicate the IP is dead. Any thoughts, recommendations are greatly appreciated. Love this old truck and not ready to give up on her just yet.

Thanks

gregg

 

[Ramingit]

Yep, That P1688 code means VP44 is Dead. Mine died with that code also 2 weeks ago and it would not start again. Was running fine then went into a store and came back out and it would not start. I had it towed home and I just got the new pump yesterday. It took me about 5 or 6 hours to replace it. It sure runs nice now. I noticed that the engine noise was greatly reduced with the new pump. My truck has always been very loud to the point of having to turn it off when going through a drive through. I found many posts hear that helped me determine how to fix it. The pump I bought cost about $1200 add a $700 core and $1900 on the charge card . You may find cheaper pump and a cheaper core. If you are doing the repair be sure not to drop the pump nut or washer or keyway on the pump into the engine. Good Luck!!

 

[JGamble]

Sounds like a VP to me as well. Mine quit after 1. I lost my LP then got a 2. ) bad load of fuel. My FP at the time right before it quit was about 12. See signature for my new one. If interested, let me know and I can point ya in the right direction for said shop... .

Regards,
J

 

[BoeingDiesel]

Thanks John and JGamble. The mechanic I had in mind to do the install is suddenly busy so I'll have some time to choose what pump I'll go with. Then again, I'm only working a little over 40 hours a month and I'm pretty good with wrenching so I might just tackle it myself.

gregg

 

[SMcGrady]

Off topic a bit... Sounds like we have very similar trucks. Also maybe the same employer. . and I cant tell for sure, but is your avatar a pic of the 747-8 freighter? (I work in Everett, WA but I travelled all over, including a lot of time in Palmdale, with RC522 for flight test... ) Small world!

Anyway, sorry to hear about your VP going south. I got the airdog to keep mine healthy. So far, so good... knock on wood!

 

[Joe Mc]

BoDiesel - sounds like the VP. Mine went as I was changing lanes and all of a sudden tack when to "0" no red lights on dash or trouble codes, just died. They go however they wish I guess? Anyway, I got mine at Dodge Cummins Fuel Injection Pumps - OEM Stock Replacement That was a while ago - see sig date - it's not a bad job, you can save some $ and do it yourself. Rent the gear puller nut the bolt that come with the kit are a tad too long stop on the way home and pick up some shorter ones. Hardest part is getting the gear to "pop" off the shaft. Follow the instructions and it'll work out fine. It's actually about a 5 - 6 beer (6 - 8 hour) job depending on when you slow down on "consuming massive quantities of alcoholic beverages" . . . . actually looks like the cost is $55 cheaper than when I did mine >T-Bread are great folks to deal with too - BTW.

 

[BoeingDiesel]

Off topic a bit... Sounds like we have very similar trucks. Also maybe the same employer. . and I cant tell for sure, but is your avatar a pic of the 747-8 freighter? (I work in Everett, WA but I travelled all over, including a lot of time in Palmdale, with RC522 for flight test... ) Small world!

Anyway, sorry to hear about your VP going south. I got the airdog to keep mine healthy. So far, so good... knock on wood!

I had nothing on my plate yesterday; the wife was busy with her tennis team, so what to do? I watched Diesel Dan’s video re; VP44 removal and install. The process seemed fairly straight forward and with my neighbor being a shop owner and mechanic, I had access to most any tool needed. I ordered a gear puller from Geno’s for air delivery and moved forward. Everything seemed to fall into place as per Dan’s instructions until…I got to that last injector. What an absolute ***** it was to break loose, but I got it. My rationale was / is; if I get to a point to where I can no longer continue I’ll just have it towed and let someone that knows what they’re doing finish it. My neighbor wandered over last night with beer in hand and told me I was going to need a puller to get the pump off and that he had a couple at his shop. "I know, do you have one?" was my reply. As of this post, I’m down to the point of removing the pump. My neighbor, the mechanic, is bringing me a SnapOn SP504 puller this morning so we’ll see how it goes. Major concern about the keyway tho’.



Off topic:



If memory serves, the avatar is just your basic 400F. To digress; the 400 and up with full glass panel is very useful but I’m more partial to a steam gauge panel with an analog device (GIB, FE, Trained Bear) acting as the FMC… but, that went out the window many years back. From what I have heard, the 8’s seem to be a very stable platform, more precise approach control, (and something that is new to me) an automated “quiet climb out,” function…who knows what else Mr. Boeing has sewn into this new bird.

 

[n7gxz]

Major concern about the keyway tho’.

Before taking the pump off make sure that the keyway is in the 12 o-clock position. You can tell if you take a mirror and flashlight and look at the end of the shaft. If you're carefull pulling out the pump the key will stay in place.



Kevin

 

[Missouri Mule]

Blue Chip Diesel Performance Specialists

 

[Nyoest]

Funny, a pilot can play mechanic. How many want to be on the plane the mechanic is playing pilot?



Sounds like your doing everything proper. If you have a problem just holler there LOTS of people here that have swapped a VP.



Did you remove the lifting eye before working on #6? It makes life muy bueno.



When you are ready to start do about four false starts to build pressure/bleed air.

 

[BoeingDiesel]

Funny, a pilot can play mechanic. How many want to be on the plane the mechanic is playing pilot?



Sounds like your doing everything proper. If you have a problem just holler there LOTS of people here that have swapped a VP.



Did you remove the lifting eye before working on #6? It makes life muy bueno.



When you are ready to start do about four false starts to build pressure/bleed air.

You are absolutely correct... I am playing mechanic, but it was more out of interest and challenge than necessity that I tackled this job. My father taught me at an early that you can never better a man at his own profession and that's why the expert will be taking over the project. Yes, I did remove the bracket at #6 and my neighbor (the expert) and I removed the pump... it came out without a problem. Guess I'll stick to what I know from here on out and leave the major stuff to the trained professional.

Thank you one and all for input. TDR is the best.

gregg

 

[Joe Mc]

If you made it through a VP R & R, everything else is "gravy". Good job, it is a royal PIA getting that gear to "POP" off sometimes.

Glad you're back on line.

 

[jwinnie]

Funny, a pilot can play mechanic. How many want to be on the plane the mechanic is playing pilot?

Funny, They have successfully taught monkeys to fly. Far as I know they have yet to teach one to troubleshoot the autoland on your 747.



BTW, many of the A&Ps I work with are excellent pilots.

 

[Nyoest]

Kudos Boeing! How can you be a better man if you never challenge yourself?

Wth is a&p?

 

[PBJ2500CTD]

Kudos Boeing! How can you be a better man if you never challenge yourself?

Wth is a&p?

Airframe & Powerplant - They are the pros that understand the suck-bang-blow principle and know where to stick the bubblegum and speed tape to keep the planes safely flying.

 

[BoeingDiesel]

Kudos Boeing! How can you be a better man if you never challenge yourself?



Wth is a&p?

I'm not one to back off from a project but just realized I needed some help from a Pro'. My buddy had tools that I had never seen re; a 1/2" drive socket that was partly cut away so it would slide over the injector tube on the back of the pump eliminating the need to remove them in sequence with an open end wrench, and it goes on from there. I also replaced the Cam, IAT and Map sensor and what a difference in performance. In retrospect I should have realized the pump was beginning to fail as my mileage had dropped to about 18 mpg and it just didn't seem to have much power in those last days.



Taught monkeys to fly... ? Of course, they taught me 45 years ago. :-laf



Thanks again TDR members.

gregg

 

[gtwitch]

VP 44 replacement

I followed the instructions furnished by Chip at Bluechip and he suggested that one does not have to take all of the injector lines off, only the front three which made the removal and iinstall painless!!! I put one of his pumps on two years ago and my 99 has run great and and as advertised I did get about 1. 5 mpg better on average.



gtwitch in Wyoming