Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Is there a problem?

[SMcGrady]

Today I finished my latest project. I hooked up and finished the installation of my ISSPRO Fuel Pressure, EGT, and Turbo Boost gauges. I am very proud of myself for getting this all done. It looks great and they work perfectly.



I did all the work myself except the very last step. I took the truck in to the shop to have the manifold drilled and tapped for the EGT. I was too nervous to do that myself as I am not a very experianced wrencher.



At the shop all went well, but the mech told me that he thought my truck had a little rough spot in the idle and it was hard to start once. He went on to tell me that I might need new injectors and my VP44 might be going out...



This is very upsetting to me. I have only owned this truck for 3k miles (it is at 43k now). I was having problems before with my Torque Converter unlocking and also with my lift pump. I resolved all of those problems by installing an AirDog FP100, cleaning my battery terms and all grounds, and installing an electronic noise filter from DTT.



Now that I have my gauges in I thought all was well... My truck has never EVER started hard for me and it seems to idle so smooth to me. I don't have anything to compare it to, but it really shocked me to hear the mech say that. it really seems to run good for me and if this mech/shop was not such a respected place by many TDR members in my area, I might think that he was just trying to take advantage of my lack of experiance with diesels.



Any suggestions as to what I should do at this point? I really can't detect the rough idle that he mentioned and I am LISTENING HARD!!! and my truck starts immediately when I turn the key... every time...



Any thoughts would be appreciated



Thanks,

Scott

 

[LRutigliano]

My Dad (a retired auto mechanic) always told me "If it ain't broke, don't fix it... " He may have used some choice expletives too... Sometimes, I listened...



If you can't hear it and it starts fine, its most likely fine.



Maybe the "mechanic" doesn't know his gassers from a diesel and didn't wait for the intake heater light to go out before starting it. This will cause a rough idle and take it longer to start.



Don't worry, enjoy your truck and your new gauges.



Regards,

Louis

 

[WFyfe]

With the vp44 pump cummins, the statement "If it ain't broke, don't fix it... " doesnt apply totally, for lift pumps and possible injections pumps(no expeirence there). I replaced 4-5 lift pumps in 85k miles with a perfectly good running motor, the only sign was low or erratic fuel pressure. The vp44 ran good when i sold it at 85k, so i dont know how its doing now that is has a FASS. Injectors could cause a miss or stuble, but they would need to be pop tested... .

duh, i didnt see you said you installed an airdog, oops

 

[SMcGrady]

Thanks Louis & WFyfe...



I think I will try to just enjoy my truck for now. Injectors are part of my plan for the future (got to save up for them for a bit). Other than that, I guess I will take a wait and see position regarding the VP44... Hopefully it will last a long time now that I have the airdog installed...

Thanks for your thoughts!

Scott-

 

[SSolderitch]

the previous owner installed gauges at the same time the pump was on it's way out (at 150k), the gauge saved him, he installed a fass pump. I now have 235,600 on the truck. I believe it has the oem vp44 (I have no records before 140k). Just replaced the water pump & tstat, both were oem.

 

[SMcGrady]

SSolderitch-

That is what I am hoping for. It would be great if I could get another 80-100k or more before I need to replace that injector pump... knock on wood...

 

[MRoberts]

Hi Scott,



What is the pressure on your FP gauge?



Have you checked for codes?



Give me a call or PM.



Marty

 

[SMcGrady]

Hey Marty,

FP is 18 at idle, 17 WOT. no codes. I noticed a little bit of seepage at the tee connection I put into the fuel line for the fuel gauge. Maybe I'm getting a little air into the fuel at that point?? If so, I'm thinking it could be causing the rough idle that the mech at dynomite said he heard?? at any rate, I am going to fix that for sure...

I'll give you a call this evening if its not too busy at work.

Thanks!

Scott-

 

[DannyUpstate]

I don't think you can get air in the fuel line if it's minimum pressure across the throttle is 17?? It'd have to be in a vacuum to get air in right?

 

[DirtyDodge]

If you have good pressure to the pump and no codes, I would'nt worry to much...

 

[SMcGrady]

I don't think you can get air in the fuel line if it's minimum pressure across the throttle is 17?? It'd have to be in a vacuum to get air in right?

Danny-

That makes sense to me... it was just something that the Mech said that made me think of that. but I think I agree with you...

If you have good pressure to the pump and no codes, I would'nt worry to much...

DirtyD-

I am inclined to agree with you as well...



Thx!:-laf:-laf

Scott-

 

[MRoberts]

Drive it like you stole it!

 

[SMcGrady]

Well Marty, I would... if I could get that blasted fuel seepage to stop#@$%!



Thanks for the advice about Evan and the DDP injectors... I think I am going to go for the 75 HP ones next week... :-laf:-laf



Take it easy,



Scott-