Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) loss of acceleration

[Sitsch]

My 02 ram occasionally loses acceleration while cruising at around 1500 rpm. The only way to overcome it is to let off on the accelerator and then step down on it to clear it. any ideas as to what the cause is?

 

[ROADWARRIOR]

Have you checked for codes yet?

 

[Sitsch]

Only thing that came up said "injector timing"

 

[FourBarR]

That is code 216 fuel injection pump . I believe your vp-44 is on its way out. Lots of failures of this type. do a search if you want several hours of reading.

 

[Sticks]

Fuel pressure check first. P0216 is not necessarily a VP death code.

 

[RAJohnson]

Fuel pressure check first. P0216 is not necessarily a VP death code.

OK I have a 02 with 131K. I have had a FASS pump since it was new, and just now started throwing the P0216 code. It has only happened when on extended trips and pulling a load (Boat or 4-wheelers). Never has happened around town or on short drives. I run my comp on 3X3 all the time and the VP44 has been taped for 60K miles. Any ideas as to whats going on. Im thinking VP44.

 

[Hammer]

Injection timing code can also be a bad crank position sensor.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Hey Rob how are things? I used to spot you from time to time but it's been awhile.

From the Blue Chip site code 216 can mean the pump is wearing out mechanically and can't reach full timing advance anymore. . . if it seems to show up more when you run the RPM up then that might be what's going on. Good info on Blue Chip Diesel Performance Specialists

 

[RAJohnson]

Hi Vaughn, Good to hear from you. Have you ever done a VP44 change out? Any way I did go to the Blue Chip Diesel Web site and read every thing. I'm almost certain its the electronics of the VP44 going south. Newer APPS installed not long ago. Fuel pressure is a constant 15-20psi since the truck was new, I'm reading it right at the VP44, so I feel good that. Its seams to show up when I am pulling a load for a extended period of time. Had a dead pedal twice this weekend going to Idaho, once between Ritzville and spokane so I turned off my Comp and it came right back. Second time was right after Post Falls and I had the Comp off, and I had to let of of the pedal and wait till it was down to 55 before it came back. Drove home all the way with the comp off and it went dead at othello, came back and went dead come in to Pasco and came back.



Awhile back it was acting like it was surging at different times when on cruise control, so I took the Comp and sent it in for verification, they updated the firm wear and said there was no problems.



The other to time was when pulling my boat back over the hill from Oregon when it was 100+ out side this last summer. I wrote it off as to much heat and all, but with this last trip being quite a bit cooler and not as heavy of a load, I feel pretty sure its the VP44 going south.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Any changes in fuel economy over all this?

Haven't ever changed out a VP44 but Kent Earnest who used to live in Pasco did this writeup Bosch VP44 Replacement

The puller that's in my 12-valve timing kit should work to pop the gear off. One thing we could do is do it at Comcowboy's shop in Finley (he's on NWB) since he often has guys over wrenching on trucks.

 

[RAJohnson]

Down slightly, but nothing drastic. Kind of figured it was down do to always pulling when I get the dead pedal. When I figure out which pump to use and get it I'll give you a shout.

 

[SnoKing]

Fuel pressure check first. P0216 is not necessarily a VP death code.

Head pedal + P0216 = Death of VP44



SNOKING

 

[SnoKing]

Here are my suggestions. You do not have to remove the three rear injector lines. They connect to the block side of the VP44 and can be disconnected from the pump and pushed over toward the block and the pump will come out. I made my own gear puller out of a piece of angle iron. Make sure the key is up before you start. Clean the pump shaft and inside of the gear before reinstalling it according to MWFI. I got my pump from MWFI as they had a very good core setup.



I had only two or three cases of dead pedal and the P0216 code. I also had seen harder starting in REALLY hot SW weather the winter before. New pump cured it. The late 2001 and 2002 pumps had a brass bore that did not work out well.



SNOKING