Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Low Performance

[rrab1]

Guys, I'm on vacation in Colorado and my truck seems to have lost some of its power and is producing a excessive amount of black smoke through the exhaust. Is this normal for the altitude? I also had life pump fail while while climbing a hill, I replaced it and it is holding 11 pounds of fuel pressure. So I was just wondering if this is normal for the altitude or if I have a problem.

 

[JFlagg]

11 lbs sounds good to me, not sure what stock pressure is, but I get 17 with my FASS, so 11 lbs stock sounds fine. As long as it stays at 11 lbs though at WOT is the key, don't want to starve your VP44. And extra smoke and loss of power at higher alt. is typical. I go out to CO. at least once a year with my truck and its the same for me. Matter of fact I'll be out the this Saturday... .

 

[JR2]

11 sounds a little low, is that before or after the filter? If its after the filter you need to change your filter, if its before then there might be another problem. Your fuel pressure will not cause excessive smoke anyway.

How is your boost pressure, is it the same as it always is or a couple lb's light?

Cycle the key on-off three times leaving it on the last time. Watch the odometer window and see if you have any codes.

Any thing else change? How much smoke are we talking about? Are you blacking out the sun or is it just more haze than your used too?

Was this a sudden change, like when pulling a long hill or was it a slow change?

I am guessing its the altitude and all will be fine when you return to a lower altitude.

 

[georgej]

Stock lift pump pressure varies from 13-15 at idle to about 6-8 at full pedal. At 11lbs your fine. When you're at altitude 5000 ft and above you'll get a lot of smoke when taking off from a light, more so if you have a tight torque converter or pulling a trailer... it's normal

 

[Big A]

Welcome to Colorado. The altitude makes a big difference.

Big A

 

[rrab1]

Thank's, just got back today trucks' still not right Don

 

[DCreed]

sounds more like a boost leak.