Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) How long does an Injection Pump last at 0 psi?

[fkovalski]

I just installed a fuel pressure gauge because of rough running symtoms. It regularly hits 0 psi under acceleration and idles at 2-3. Occasionally it will bump up to 12- 13 then drop back down.



The symtoms that caused me this concern has been like this for at least 2 months now. How long will the injection pump last under these conditions?



Truck has 63,000 miles. Have an appt. with the dealer in another week.

 

[RJPotts]

It will last until you take it to the dealer. Have you checked for codes?

I've found that the p0216 code is the best ammo to take to the dealership so they don't jerk you around.

-R. J.

 

[Rdunkin]

My friend called me 3 days ago and said his truck wouldnt start[ 99 auto ] The lift pump was dead so we bought a new one for $160 and installed it in 45min and he is back in buisness. It may have done damage to the VP44 already but it will be interesting to see how long it lasts. He said it would die sitting at a stop sometimes and had been doing this for a couple of months.

In your case I would put on a new lift pump, $160 and 1hr. labor and hope for the best.

Good Luck

Richard

 

[fkovalski]

I have no codes. It does smoke white after warm (short drive) and will idle slighltly rough. Rev'ing to about 2K will reveal a more rough "idle. " Noticable roughness when backing off from 2K rpm (in neutral. ) I am blowing more smoke (black/ grey) now than normal when accelerating.



The symptoms are kinda' slight right now. Not too prevalent when cold (i. e. morning start- up)



I have a Westach electric gauge. I verified (via Westach) the proper testing procedures for the gauge & sender. They chacked out OK.



I was told by a local diesel shop tech that the varying gauge is symptomatic of the lift pump going bad. The vanes inside the pump stick (low readings) then free up (higer readings) giving the indication that I am seeing.



EDIT:

Is the code a hard or soft code? I hade the batteries disconnected for about 6 hours when installing the gauges.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Well, that's sorta like asking how long an engine will last without oil pressure - SOME might last an impressive length of time, others might fail immediately.



Somehow, I seriously doubt any here have done any testing to determine how long a representitive group of VP-44's will last at 0 PSI before failing...

 

[fkovalski]

Is the code a hard or soft code? I hade the batteries disconnected for about 6 hours when installing the gauges.

Is is possible to have an Injection Pump failure WITHOUT setting a code?

 

[Fishin Guide]

Is is possible to have an Injection Pump failure WITHOUT setting a code?

Yes. And not all that uncommon.



Dave

 

[RJPotts]

I should imagine anything is possible, but its not likely.

If you're not getting any codes all the dealership will do is replace the lift pump, which will also be free under the Cummins warranty, that should get you by for a while until the codes to show up.

One way or another, the damage has been done.

For example, I purchased my truck with about 65,000 mi. on it, the lift pump had failed about 2 weeks before I got the truck (est. ), but there were no problems, about a month of driving later it started stumblimg and stuff... took it to the dealership with a p0216 code and they jerked me around and replaced the LP only, problem continued to get worse, they finally fixed he problem the right way when I had been in there three times in one week, telling them what the problem was each time... finally I told them I would be there every day until they got off of their lazy *sses and made a claim with Cummins.

They did and the problem is gone.

-R. J.

 

[gregdoerfler]

mine lasted for 2 winters now(nock on wood), my pressure would goto 0 when it got cold out and i thought it was just condensation in the line to sender unit freezing up and not reading pressure, but when i changed the filter i found out it was not pumping. now i have the fass pump just have to install it now.

 

[2-ND TIME]

vp-44's

My vp-44 ran for about a year and a half before the LP was changed for the first time. When the 44 was changed it ran no different still bad. Didn't correct problem. As everything else that was changed. :-{}