Attention: TDR Forum Junkies Last month, I replaced my dying VP44 with a PDR Hot Rod VP44. It took a while, and I had to tear more of the engine apart than I wanted to, since the pump shaft key fell down into the timing case. I got it all back together, but I'm not much better off now that it's installed. Now I've got a DIFFERENT problem.
Everything worked okay for a few minutes after I started running it, then all of a sudden, I couldn't build full boost, and the truck was smoking a lot. I had a check engine light from the moment I started the truck up, and when I scanned it after running for a bit, I had a bunch of codes, although I don't know if they were old codes somehow still around. The P0216 code was even there, however, that was also there on the old pump. I cleared them, and the only one that's come back since was the MAP codes, which are now gone altogether too (see below). We had pulled the pump timing gear out, however, I am positive that we got it timed up correctly when we put everything back together, so I'm sure that's not the issue. )
I found out that the drag comp wasn't properly grounded (the black wire off the pump wire tap. ) I grounded it properly, but not before the drag comp had frozen up a couple times. It APPEARS to be working alright now, but I'm not sure. I had a brand new MAP boost sensor in the truck from Cummins at the time, however after the cummins insite computer showed that the MAP sensors (both new and old) were now bad. I don't know if somehow the comp fried the new one too. I replaced the MAP sensor AGAIN, and even tried disconnecting the comp completely, and still get the same results - smoke, and lower boost. Now I don't think it's the comp causing the problem although, I'm not 100% sure. I have a PDR HX-40, that even with the BAD VP44, could build and hold a wastegated 40psi of boost on any setting of the comp, or even with the comp off. Now even with the comp on 5x5, boost will hit that, then drop off sharply. It can't hold its boost. Plus, it smokes a lot more under all conditions.
I hope that having the comp not properly grounded didn't cause the new VP44 to fail again in some way...
It still seems like a boost sensor problem, however I'm getting no codes for sensor voltages or readings, and I know the new sensor is good now. Could the combination of things have damaged the ECM in any way? Or the MAP wiring harnesses? Or something? I've checked everything for tightness (including boost hoses), and cleaned and di-electric'ed the sensors... and still nothing. I have no engine related codes now (read both by the cummins insite software, and dodge obd2 scanners), and I am completely stumped. I do have an ECM embedded Vehicle Speed Sensor code that the Cummins Northwest tech said was not engine related at all. The Cummins shop couldn't help me much, since when I told them it was building "low" boost, and putting out "too much" smoke than "normal"... they had no baseline or specs to compare that to, since the motor's modified to what should be about 500rwhp. They didn't know what was "normal" for boost or smoke, and gave me a kind of "I told you so" about modifying the motor like that. I may have them just check all specs for the sensors, and verify them all as accurate, using my input for what they SHOULD be. Any ideas on that one?
Please help! Any ideas would be great. If I think of any other info that might give an idea of what's going on, I'll post it.
Thanks,
Skyler
Oh yeah... also got a really bad oil leak coming out of the bottom where the puke box mates to the timing case cover, but thats a different problem (I think). It's got a hose attached to the box, instead of the bottle, which runs down to the side of the motor, but it's not leaking from the hose - just where it mates to the case cover. Not sure how to properly seal that... . I'm afraid I may have torqued it on too tight... (I'm an F-15E mechanic! That's what I'm used to! Everything's smoked on tight on that jet... )
Everything worked okay for a few minutes after I started running it, then all of a sudden, I couldn't build full boost, and the truck was smoking a lot. I had a check engine light from the moment I started the truck up, and when I scanned it after running for a bit, I had a bunch of codes, although I don't know if they were old codes somehow still around. The P0216 code was even there, however, that was also there on the old pump. I cleared them, and the only one that's come back since was the MAP codes, which are now gone altogether too (see below). We had pulled the pump timing gear out, however, I am positive that we got it timed up correctly when we put everything back together, so I'm sure that's not the issue. )
I found out that the drag comp wasn't properly grounded (the black wire off the pump wire tap. ) I grounded it properly, but not before the drag comp had frozen up a couple times. It APPEARS to be working alright now, but I'm not sure. I had a brand new MAP boost sensor in the truck from Cummins at the time, however after the cummins insite computer showed that the MAP sensors (both new and old) were now bad. I don't know if somehow the comp fried the new one too. I replaced the MAP sensor AGAIN, and even tried disconnecting the comp completely, and still get the same results - smoke, and lower boost. Now I don't think it's the comp causing the problem although, I'm not 100% sure. I have a PDR HX-40, that even with the BAD VP44, could build and hold a wastegated 40psi of boost on any setting of the comp, or even with the comp off. Now even with the comp on 5x5, boost will hit that, then drop off sharply. It can't hold its boost. Plus, it smokes a lot more under all conditions.
I hope that having the comp not properly grounded didn't cause the new VP44 to fail again in some way...
It still seems like a boost sensor problem, however I'm getting no codes for sensor voltages or readings, and I know the new sensor is good now. Could the combination of things have damaged the ECM in any way? Or the MAP wiring harnesses? Or something? I've checked everything for tightness (including boost hoses), and cleaned and di-electric'ed the sensors... and still nothing. I have no engine related codes now (read both by the cummins insite software, and dodge obd2 scanners), and I am completely stumped. I do have an ECM embedded Vehicle Speed Sensor code that the Cummins Northwest tech said was not engine related at all. The Cummins shop couldn't help me much, since when I told them it was building "low" boost, and putting out "too much" smoke than "normal"... they had no baseline or specs to compare that to, since the motor's modified to what should be about 500rwhp. They didn't know what was "normal" for boost or smoke, and gave me a kind of "I told you so" about modifying the motor like that. I may have them just check all specs for the sensors, and verify them all as accurate, using my input for what they SHOULD be. Any ideas on that one?
Please help! Any ideas would be great. If I think of any other info that might give an idea of what's going on, I'll post it.
Thanks,
Skyler
Oh yeah... also got a really bad oil leak coming out of the bottom where the puke box mates to the timing case cover, but thats a different problem (I think). It's got a hose attached to the box, instead of the bottle, which runs down to the side of the motor, but it's not leaking from the hose - just where it mates to the case cover. Not sure how to properly seal that... . I'm afraid I may have torqued it on too tight... (I'm an F-15E mechanic! That's what I'm used to! Everything's smoked on tight on that jet... )
Though usually limp mode is accompanied with codes.
