Lift pump died, DC worked on it. White smoke now at startup. Did they burn my rings?

[JFeeney]

I blew it, I posted in the wrong section below... . Sorry all



Well, let me start but saying that I have been read TDR for quite a while. Thank you all for the helpful information. It's come in handy many a time. My truck is just about 60k on it and it has been the best truck I have ever owned. Never a problem until now. But on to my problem... . (sorry if I rant a little)



About a week ago I my lift pump went bye bye while cursing along Interstate 80 at about 70mph, a couple stumbles and then dead. Once I got to the side of road and tried to fire her up again I could tell it was the lift pump, because I had no buzz, just a metal on metal / rattling sound was coming from the pump (best way I can describe it) when I first clicked the key over.



Being far from home with a dead truck I had to call for a tow to the nearest DC dealer. I truck is still under warranty, so I figured why not. (my first mistake) It took the Dover Dodge (second mistake taking it there) almost a week to get the pump. All I kept being told was it was on national back-order. But after a few days, the pump was in and after talking to the service manager I was told my pride and joy would be ready by 500pm.



So of course I show right at 5, wouldn’t you know that truck wasn’t even in the shop yet!!! So after a few minutes I was told “we’ll work tonight until it is done, should only take about 30mins”. I figured I would give them an hour considering that the I have seen where the pump is and I know that it would take some time to change it out.



So at 6 I returned, to find to tech’s standing there looking at my truck with a dumb look on their faces. So I ask, “What’s wrong?” the response “We can’t get to started. ” So through my mind rushes the thoughts “do they know what the H**L they are doing”. Apparently not. So I start to ask, did you…. .



1. change the fuel filter?

2. make sure that fuel is entering the filter?

3. crack open the injector lines to let air out of the system?



All where answered with a NO?



OK here comes the third mistake, I told them to do all that and she should fire up, and told them I would return in the morning. Why I didn’t stay to see that all was done properly I don’t know, maybe because I was so ****** that I had idiots working my truck. . Needless to say I returned in the morning and she was running, with a response from the tech’s and service manager. “How did you know that would work?” My response was “common sense” when really all of you here helped on that one.



So the real problem is now that I have the truck back I am running about 2 mpg lower that I use too. Also when I start up in the morning I blow white/blue smoke until she is warmed up. Do you think all the cranking of the motor that they did trying to get it started burned my rings or damaged my motor?



Any advice would really be helpful!!!

Thanks to all.

 

[A Johnson]

No, I don't think they burnt your rings. My guess is that there is some damage to the VP-44 do to lack of lubrication from fuel starvation. It is possible that the internal vane pump is not producing the 300 psi that it should and in turn not producing enough timing advance. This would account for the increase in blue/white smoke at start up and also possibly the loss in fuel economy. ( Although you should have a check engine light if the VP-44 cant acheive the timing value commanded by the ECM, 368 fault) Do you have a check engine light at all or a loss of power? As far as advice I can't give you much other than to document on paper the symptoms after the lift pump failure and record other problems that could be VP-44 related. I think most everyone on this sight will tell you that there is a definate link between lift pump failures and VP-44 failures. Good Luck! A Johnson

 

[Bigsaint]

I'm with AJ. Do your self and the truck a favor, install a fuel pressure gauge. If you do so and the pump dies again, you will know well in advance before complete failure. As to the way you were treated at the dealer... it appears that many have very little knowledge when it comes to our engine. I'm sure there are some top notch techs. working for a DC shop, but they are few and far between IMHO.



I'm only about 1 hour from you (North and West). If you want a hand putting a FP gauge in, let me know. I'd be more than happy to help.



Scott W.

 

[JFeeney]

AJ / Saint(Scott) ,



Thanks for the info. Saint I may take you up on that offer once the temps outside get a few degs warmer and wallet get a few dollars richer.



Thanks again.



Jim