Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) FASS pump question/issue?

[Steve Robinson]

I just replaced the stock lift pump with a Fass DDRP-2. It seems to work OK, I have 14 psi on Westach fuel pressure gauge, new fuel filter, not the 16 psi as indicated from FASS. I am OK with 14 psi drops some under load but still higher psi than stock (12psi idle, 10psi load). But I am experiencing a new issue.



Before the FASS pump installation my 98. 5 would start at the touch of the key but now the starter turns the engine over a short while before the engine starts. Seems to run fine, no codes have been thrown to my knowledge (no "check engine" light) but the hard(er) starting issue has me concerned.



I have had to replace the lift pump and injection pump due to failure, shortly after taking delivery of the truck and before Dodge knew about (or were admitting) the design flaws in the fuel pumps, both lift and injection. I remember the truck became hard to start at that time and so my anxiety now.



Does anyone know for positive if the pump VP-44 can be checked on the engine for problems before a code is actually thrown? I need to find the problem, if it is the injection pump again, I'll need some lead time to order another one and I want to get on it. If it is a FASS pump issue I need to get that addressed as well. Thanks for the help all.

 

[RWood]

You've posted in the 3rd gen section. You probly try the 2nd gent section.

 

[Steve Robinson]

Thanks Ramsey, I'll look to moving it if that is possible.

 

[THoltz]

Steve, I swapped to a FASS system a couple of years ago. I have had no problems with my FASS or starting response time.

 

[JimKing]

There is a couple of discussions here somewhere about creating hard start with pressure to high. . Try this. . Let the pressure bleed down to 0 before you start. if it starts fine, yours is sensitive to the pressure. Fixed hard start years ago by lowering the pressure to below 12 on mine. You might to also check for a vacuum leak in your connections. A loose fitting that draws air can play h*ll with starting

 

[CAPTPHIL]

NSTRUCTION that came with the DDRP address this issue. Yes Cummins can run engine on computer and it will give you all the info. GOOD LUCK

 

[TMoran]

I have FSS DDRP02 on for about 2,000 miles towing. Does 20 pounds at idle and starts fine. Hope you find you problem. PapaTom

 

[Steve Robinson]

Jim, thank you for the thought of the pressure being too high or a fitting that requires tightening. I'll try what you suggest about letting the pressure return to 0 and I'll double check the fittings. Thanks again. I have read and reread the FASS instructions, as suggested by Capt. Phil, and in the instructions that came with my pump there is a brief mention of trouble shooting a hard starting issue with a list of a few questions that all lead to "check injection pump". The first question in their list is "Did your vehicle start fine without the FASS... "? My yes answer here leads to immediately starting the engine without waiting for the pressure to come up and if it starts they suggest checking the VP44. My engine starts exactly the same whether I wait for the pressure or not. I remain confused. There is no mention of pressure in my instructions with the single exception of the trouble shooting section where it asks " Is the fuel pressure where it should be?" I have 14 psi at idle, is that where it should be or should it be 16 psi or some other pressure? I don't know because the instructions do not say, nor is there any mention of too much pressure. I'm still confused but I am hoping someone will read this and through experience, has found the answer. Thanks again for your interest.

 

[Ram4Sam]

Long shot here, did you change the fuel filter when you did the pump? When I changed my filter once a few years back, I didn't get the lid tight enough and had the same issue. Didn't leak but was evidently sucking in air. Tightened it correctly and problem went away.



Sam

 

[steved]

The VP44 should have 12psi plus or minus 2 psi IIRC...

I want to remember that some had to wire the system so the FASS was "activated" once the truck had oil pressure... stems from the diaphragm/piston developing cracks and flexing? Its been a long time, but that was the fix at one point.

 

[Steve Robinson]

Hi steved, I understand the fuel pressures the VP-44 wants, what I was getting at was whether I should expect 16 psi from the new pump, or 20 psi as TMoran has, or the 14 psi that I have at idle. I don't find that information in the FASS literature and instructions that came with the pump. So when they ask in the trouble shooting section of their instructions "is the pressure where it should be" it would be nice to know if they are talking about what the VP-44 wants or what their pump is supposed to deliver and what that number should be. Thank you for the help though.

 

[RCrosby]

I got fass/ddrp pump near tank. 1/2" fuel hose all the way to the filter then to the vp-44. 14-15 at idle. When i turn key on the pump run for about 3 sec. My fuel psi is about 2 psi. I do not have hard starts.

 

[CAPTPHIL]

Steve,

I have a bad case of CRS. Your FASS should have come with a spare spring this is for higher pressure. My SOP is to install it before I install pump. Did you get one with the pump. If not, call FASS and they will send at no cost.

GOOD LUCK

 

[Steve Robinson]

CAPT. PHIL, I did not receive an extra spring with my DDRP-02. Do you happen to know the pressure difference between this spring and the one that might be installed in the pump when it is shipped? TMoran has mentioned he has 20 psi with his pump and that could explain his higher pressure. I am not really concerned with the pressure I have (14psi idle) my concern is the sudden hard start that has begun with the installation of the FASS. Thanks for your help with this, it is appreciated.

 

[CAPTPHIL]

Steve,

One of the trucks had 15lb gauge,with orig. spring 15lb at idle,would drop to 10 to 12 when acel. Truck two with spring installed holds at 14 to peg under accel. empty. It will drop to 11 to 13 pulling a 30ft. travel trailer. I will check on third truck asap and get back to you in a couple of days or sooner. As for hard start check pressure relief valve on PV44. Where do you have your pres. sender located.

GOOD LUCK

 

[Steve Robinson]

CAPT. PHIL, thanks for all the helpful info, it's much appreciated. My fuel pressure sender is on top of the fuel filter housing. I sent my gauge in recently to be recalibrated and cleaned (Westach in Sonoma, CA) so I am thinking the gauge is fine and Westach agrees with sender specs and location as well. Thanks again.

 

[CAPTPHIL]

STEVE,

I just ran a test with a 01 3500, with hyper chip at lowest setting,4 in. exhaust and AFE stage 1. 36psi at idle, 22psi at WOT. That is with DDRP,with high pressure spring.

Good Luck

 

[Steve Robinson]

CAPT. PHIL, Thanks for the information and even though I did not receive any additional springs with my DDRP-02, it sound like I don't have the high pressure model/spring. At this point I have swapped sending units on the fuel filter, had my pressure gauge cleaned and recalibrated, and I have ordered a new 30psi gauge from Geno's. The pressure is 22-24 psi at idle and drops to 16-17 at wot consistently. I don't think I'll experience anything different with the new gauge, in terms of pressure, but when it arrives I'll put it on to see. I also spoke to a tech at FASS who confirms that they feel the vp44 wants 18-23psi which my pump is putting out. I just can't get my head around why the engine takes longer to start with the FASS pump. As others have indicated, they have had no problem. Against odds, but maybe the injection pump had chosen the exact moment of DDRP-02 installation to begin to die? I doubt it much. I just don't know. Thanks again though.

 

[bboxall]

My engine is bone stock with 144,000 miles. Stock lift pump and VP44 replaced at 92,000 miles.
I decided to install a fuel pressure gauge so I installed the Westach 0-16 psi gauge and it worked fine, 12-13 psi at idle, 5-6 psi at maximum effort acceleration. The NEXT DAY during a 10 mile drive I look down and my fuel pressure is 2 psi. I stop and let the engine idle and it is idling at 2 psi and drops to near zero with throttle. I drive the truck home, order the FASS DDRP-02 and install.
Now my 0-16 psi gauge is pegged - I ordered the 0-30 psi Westach.
My truck starts fine unless you restart within 20-30 minutes hot and then you have to run the starter a few seconds to get it to start. Steve Robinson's problem exactly.

My concern here is that I have damaged my vp44!

 

[CAPTPHIL]

The odds are you caught it soon enough, I would keep running it until it has a problem.
Good Luck Capt Phil