Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) engine surge while driving, power loss while driving and smell of fuel.

[ecv2001]

As I know some of the past articles will cover some of the symptoms here, I think I have a few things going on. Any feed back will be appreciated.

My combo is the 2001 5. 9 with 6speed HO with jacobs exhaust brake. I have 186,000 miles on it. A while back I believe I lost my lift pump. I did not have fuel pressure monitor gauge to confirm this, but all of a sudden it ran like crap. I then had the airdog 1000 installed and bypassed the stock fuel filter and lift pump. Now every once in a while I will smell fuel on start up's, the truck surges when steady throttle applied. It bucks and surges like the VP44 has been comprimised and is messed up. Also you will feel a rough handle in the steering wheel and then the engine has lost power. I found turning the ignition off then on again with the clutch in it will start right up and away I go. this electrical loss happens about once a month or so.

Also I have a heavy front bumper, The stock front end cant keep ball joints. I heard there is a new and improved front end kit. Basically replacing the front axle? If so how hard is it to put a 1 ton axle up front.

Also it needs it's second set of brakes. Also e brake pads. I am interested in putting quality new parts. I would assume Geno's garage would have these items. Any good brake feed back would be greatly appreciated.

 

[JR]

I dont see any mention of fuel pressure readings, if you dont have a gauge it is one of the more important accesories to have, plus its a grear diagnostic tool to be able keep tabs on your fuel system. If you can literally smell fuel, its likely you have a leak somewhere which could explain the erratic operation of the engine (air in fuel system). Do you have any hard starts? Any engine codes?

With the front end the 3/4 ton and 1 tons are both dana 60. So theres really not much you can do with that other than installing a premium set of ball joints, and maybe losing the heavy bumper or finding a lighter replacement. Our trucks are very heavy to begin with and are close to maxing out the front axle sitting empty so any extra weight added is drastically taxing the steering components like your seeing.

 

[VolsFan]

Agreed with DFL. definitely get the fuel pressure gauge installed. Also, check for codes if you havent already. I too have a heavy front bumper, my truck sounds about exactly like yours. Only had it for a few months, but rebuilt the entire front end minus the ball joints and control arms and my steering is tight. Ball joints on mine are greasable moogs and are tight for now. Never had a problem on my old 99 2500 with the heavy bumper eating up joints. As far as brakes, I too am going to do the front brakes, rotors and pads,rears are good. I thought I had a hub going out, but after taking the caliper off the drivers side, half of the inside of the rotor was wore down, as if something got in between the pad and rotor. It works fine for now, but makes an embarassing grinding noise periodically. Anyways, go to autopartswarehouse.com and check them out. I am getting an EBC package deal with two rotors for a 3500 and front pads, think it was around $225, free shipping, and thats for the slotted rotors too. They have a handful of different grades to go with. I have never personally used EBC products but have heard good feedback on them. I ran powerslot rotors and hawk pads on my old rig and liked that combo too.

 

[ecv2001]

Thanks guy's. I will add a fuel pressure gauge. Anyone have there truck just stall and loose power. Then Turn key off and it starts right up no problem. Is there a new board or something to fix that problem?

 

[JR]

That could very well be the electronics in the vp going south. When you shut the ignition off and turn it back on your resetting the computer on the vp and it will continue to run fine until it glitches again. Alot of times they are temp related, do you notice these problems more often when the truck is cold? I saw a vp in a truck once, it literally acted like the truck was in limp mode and billowed white smoke when cold. The second the engine would warm up above 140* it was like flipping a light switch and all the sudden the truck would take off and run fine all day as long as it was above 140*. The guy that owned the truck had a lot of financial hardships and couldnt afford to replace the pump and wound up driving the truck that way for over 2 years before he eventually sold it. If you have a check engine light pull the codes up and post them up here that may help to narrow down your problem.

The ebc brakes Vols is speaking of are good quality stuff. Ive been running their pads and rotors up front for about 2 years and am happy with them. Ive been having a lot of problems with Napa brand calipers lately though and am looking into upgrading them. Just had one hang up for the second time in less than a year. Maybe coincidence, maybe not but I dont like cooking my wheel bearings and am leary of leaving them on long enough to find out if I got a good set this time around. If youve still got your factory calipers and are looking to replace you may be better off just rebuilding them yourself. They are cheap and easy to do

 

[KrisKringle]

Had the same sympoms when my life pump quit. ( I had a guage and pressure was -0-)... the truck would start up and idle just fine. However, the moment load was applied it would rev, then shut down and rev ... not fun. put the truck infirst gear, and idled the three km back home. Ditched the POS FASS DDRP, and have had no problems since.



However, like everyone says: Get a gauge! Anyone running a Gen 2 without one is asking for trouble. At least get a low pressure warning light...



Oh, and the EBC brakes are good. I can even buy them in Germany. Run them on my bikes too. Jonathan

 

[ecv2001]

Thanks. I will be looking into a fuel pressure gauge. Not having quite those problems. I hear the injector lines can crack and spit fuel. Will be checking that as well.