Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Hard start question

[AC]

If the temperature gets above 85 degrees the truck becomes difficult to start. ( I had this problem last summer and then the temps went back down and the problem went away. ) Tonight, with the temps in the 90's, I tried an experiment.



With the truck in a " no start" condition, I tried disconnecting the LP and she fired right up????? I repeated the test and got the same result. The lift pump is only bumping up to about 5psi when I first turn the key. Is this too much pressure? Is this just symptomatic of a failing VP44 ?



Thanks AC



ps Truck has 135k on the original VP44, I have replaced the LP, the overflow valve, the CPK, fuel filter , MAP , IAT, ECM.....

 

[ryecreek]

if youv'e done all that then the vp is on it's way out

any codes?

if it's not cranking too long then run it til it dies

did mind like that 20000-30000mi til i got a dead pedal and a 0216

starts right up with the new vp

5psi is low

do you have a pusher?

 

[AC]

This is the first hot weather for us out here so I'm trying to remember all I did last year to try and fix it. I haven't checked the codes recently but last year when it had this problem it didn't throw any. I haven't had any performance problems with it yet, it's just the starting. I'm taking it over to Rip in the morning to have him take another look at it. I'll let you know what we decide when I get back.



AC

 

[AC]

I took my truck down to Rip's place and had them change out the VP44. Robert did a real nice job. The bracket that supports the tail end of the pump had broken and needed to be replaced. The local shops didn't have one so Robert welded my old one up lickety split and we were back in business. I've been driving it around in the hot weather for a couple of days and I've had no problems so I'm pretty confident the pump was the culprit.



AC

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

AC if you want some real heat to test out that new VP44 come over to our side of Washington. It was 106 here Tuesday and the forecast for Kennewick is 99 every day for the next 5 days

 

[AC]

I took your advice Vaughn and did just that. We just spent a week up in the Okanogan east of Orville. The truck ran great and the pump seems to have been the answer because it started right up every time. Even when it was near 100 degrees and working hard. It's great to have the old confidence back. AC