Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) I have the wrong color smoke

[Qualey]

I think the VA box in my 02 may have died again. A couple of weeks ago the truck started randomly cutting out, usually after coasting down a hill with a load in tow. When I got on the throttle again there was no response momentarily until the turbo kicked in at max boost (29psi). Today the truck started jerking a bit, but came out of it. I parked it for 1 hour, started it, and white smoke plumes shot out the exhaust (it sounded weird also). Oil and temp were good, so I kept going and after about 100 feet in third gear it stopped. Get to the next job, turn off the truck for 45 min, and same thing, only it lasted longer. I just had fuel pressure tested because I thought the pump was going. It was fine. I unhooked the VA box and have had no reoccurence of white smoke, but we'll see what the morning brings.

As a possible red herring, this all seemed to start a couple days after the Cummins shop instralled 275 injectors. Does the box need a reflash, or would I be wise to swap to an Edge model? (this is the second VA)



Thanks for the help

Matt

 

[Jetson]

I don't think it's the VA. It sounds more like your losing prime and its taking time to get the air out of the lines when you start it. You may have a bad/loose connection from the injector install.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

I would double check that lift pump! What is "O. K" anything less than 7#'s idle is a a paper weight in my book

 

[Qualey]

The truck showed a code indicating the pump timing was off. We replaced the VA with a new one, and Cummins has ordered a new injection pump for it. Truck has 29k. Hopefully this works.



Matt

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Yes white smoke is one symptom of a dying VP44. Usually a timing error code means it's on its way out.



Vaughn