Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) loss of power

[drice]

I have a buddy that has a 2001 3500 dsl 5 spd he as 94,000



well here is the problem we will be driving down the road and teh truck will start to studer puff out a some white smoke then just die. when you go to start it back up it cranks like there isno fuel in teh filter I'm guessing the lift pump (I think that is what it is called not in the tank and not the injection pump). we thought that it might be bad fuel so teh drained the tank put new fuel in it and it didn' help.



oh BTW it doen't do it all the time it did it twice in a 50 mile trip.



I told him when he bought it that it was overvalved but he wouldn't listen. .

 

[wyosteve]

Drice, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it sure sounds like the injection pump (VP44) is going out. Mine did the same for about 5 starts then cratered completely. Good news is that since he's under 100k, it should be covered under warranty.

 

[drice]

sounds bad

I forgot to mention that he has a PM3 what does he need to do to erase teh codes??? so that they won't find outhe was running it.

 

[drice]

is there any way to find out for sure if it is the VP44???

 

[drice]

another thing IF dodge won't warranty it would it be better (or worth the $$$) to get a hoped up one for DD, BD who ever sells them???

 

[pwr2tow]

If it is the vp44 and DC dosen't honor their warranty buy one from cummins or piers diesel. You can get them for less than half the price and more than twice the friendly service.



I don't know what DD price is.



Ron

 

[fj40charles]

DD charges 3000 for their hopped up VP44. Not worth it IMHO.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Originally posted by drice

is there any way to find out for sure if it is the VP44???

If somehow it is sucking in air, that could cause the white smoke. Have you checked lift pump pressures? White smoke is also a symptom of a dying VP44. I saw Evan Beck's 98 24v puff white smoke when his engine was at operating temp and running great. 3 days later it TUd in pretty much the same manner as your friend's truck.



Vaughn

 

[Roger rodbolt]

Totally disconnect the PM3 and see if the symptoms reappear... ... .