Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) New VP44 How long should one last?

[480RUGER]

I’m putting on my first VP44 this weekend. The stock pump lasted 107,000 with the last 30,000 having nothing but trouble. I noticed a few people replacing their pump just to do it again in a few months. WHY? Was the problem something else and it killed the new pump?



It is so bad now I can hardly tell I updated with the Smarty. Now, on my friend’s truck it was night and day. All grins! Thanks Marco.

 

[SHobbs]

162,000 on the original and still going. Have had to replace LP just once. I jave no clue as to why some last and some don't.

 

[480RUGER]

Thanks. I wondered if it might be the lift and pusher @ 20 lbs during start-up, could that be bad on the VP44?

 

[SHobbs]

Have heard that high pressures can give hard starts and I can't remember what the pressure is that is not so good for the VP44. I think there are some here running higher than 20 if memory serves me correct. IMHO opinion the best idea is to relocate the LP as close to the tank as possible and a big line kit and let it push the fuel. I know for some that has helped alot.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

biggest problem is the lack of a mechanical lift pump and a P7100 injection pump

 

[FourBarR]

mine has 397663kms as of today. mmo and howes every tank. works for me.

 

[keimmmo]

Too much pressure is hard on the VP. Too little pressure will kill it quickly. I run a factory lift pump relocated just in front of the tank with big lines and fittings all the way from the lift pump to the VP. Seems to work well.



My first VP lasted only 40k miles and scattered internally. I think it was a weak unit from the factory. The second one lasted 90k miles and died of electronic problems. It also ran HIGH pressure for a while when new, which didn't help it.



I am now running a fuel cooler as well as having good fuel pressure all the time. I hope this one lasts longer!



I might also note that my truck spends most of it's time in Mexico and the fuel down here isn't always the greatest. I run filtered used oil in it every tank. It has burned about everything short of liquified corn cobs when I have been caught out in the mountains and not able to get fuel... as well as Kerosene in the States when I can find it cheap. I really am not complaining a bit about the dependability of my truck!!!



Steve Keim

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Have heard that high pressures can give hard starts and I can't remember what the pressure is that is not so good for the VP44. I think there are some here running higher than 20 if memory serves me correct. IMHO opinion the best idea is to relocate the LP as close to the tank as possible and a big line kit and let it push the fuel. I know for some that has helped alot.

My pusher equipped '02 has been flawless at an idle PSI of about 23 PSI for 40,000 miles. Earlier pumps had a variety of internal mechanical weakness that were steadily upgraded as time went by, and latest rebuilts are considerably improved over those earlier ones - including also improved electronics "brain" that probably caused as many failures as the mechanical parts.



In any event, it seems the cost of rebuilt VP-44's is steadily climbing, so I have just bought a spare from Industrial Injection - I plan on keeping my truck for a long time, and besides, a new rebuilt would seem to be like money in the bank as far as being able to recover the cost if necessary.

 

[480RUGER]

Is there any other causes besides high temp near the electronics and low LP pressure? I got back around 2:00 from Power by Poole. Olee popped a new VP44 in and it runs great. Now it's about to kill me not being able to tap the wire but thank god for the Smarty to keep the fun alive.



Any other Ideas? I would sure like to keep this pump running and spend money on wants not needs. Thanks TDR

 

[Ancient Mariner]

I have 168,000 miles on the original VP44. I have used Power Services fuel additive since day one. At 150,000 miles I added a lift pump at the tank in series with the original. I did this not because of any problems but when I read of all the problems others were having I decided it would be preventive maintenance. To date there have been no problems at all. I have each lube oil change analyzed and they all indicate no engine problems. Hopefully i can get 500,00 miles.

 

[keimmmo]

Some VPs give trouble after a while if they see TOO MUCH fuel pressure. Mine did. Others, like Gary, have no trouble. While too much pressure MIGHT cause trouble, too little pressure WILL cause trouble.



If you run in a hot climate, especially towing, I think fuel temp can be a factor in killing the VP. That is why I run a fuel cooler... that and for improved fuel economy.



While there are some factors we KNOW will cause trouble, there doesn't seem to be any logic to why some have frequent failures and others run for many years without a problem. I think just plain old luck is also a major factor in VP failures... or a lack of.



Steve Keim

 

[HeberRam]

Everyone has already touched on the problems. If you think of the VP-44 the heart of your diesel engine, it compares similarly with the heart in your body. The fact of life however, both will eventually fail and die. :{ If your screw with the electronics on the PCM "the mini brain" receiving signals or commands from ECM you will be shorting the life span. Like your body, your heart receives electrical signals from your brain to control pumping. If you don't maintain proper filtering, and regular diesel lubricity with fuel additives you can cause failure. Like your heart in your body, not maintaining healthy blood cells through nutrition and good filtering via the liver and kidneys you shorten the life span. Finally, not maintaining adequate fuel pressure and volume will contribute to premature failure. Same as your heart, to low of blood pressure will stop your heart, too high of blood pressure will shorten it's life. No two VP-44 pumps are exactly the same, just as no two people have the same heart. No one can tell you when your VP-44 will fail. No one can say for certain when your heart will fail, but if you follow the above, both pumps the VP-44 and your heart will have the best chance for long term survival. Oo.

Finally, for those that want performance up-grades ie. , "hot rod pumps" make sure you purchase from a repairable company like Industrial Injection a certified Bosch repair center. Otherwise, It would be like having a backyard mechanic performing open heart surgery on your body.



I know from experience in both the many VP-44's I've played with and loss and surgery on my own heart. If you abuse you lose.

 

[JCyrbok]

Hopefully my second will last longer than first which when at 45K! along with 4 stock lift pumps in that time. Have 10K on this one and my FASS which I installed the day after the VP went in.



J-

 

[keimmmo]

J-,



I have heard of a number of VPs on 01. 5 and 02 models that have failed between 40k-60k miles. I HONESTLY think they sent out a batch of weak pumps... and I got one of them. The replacement pump had more power and gave better fuel economy... and lasted over twice as long.



Steve Keim

 

[Bob Wagner]

good post steve

 

[Ray Torresdal]

211,000 original

211,000 miles on original VP. I'm starting to wonder if it is getting weak - doesn't seem to start as quickly as it always has. I did replace the lift pump with FASS system a while back, but have run VA box virtually since new, and 275 RV injectors for the last 60,000 miles, or so.



ray

 

[HeberRam]

you have taken good care of your truck!

Ray, you have taken good care of your truck and your pump. The VP-44 pump was designed "the electronics" for 50,000 duty starts. That means the number of times you turn your key to start whether you start it or not. It doesn't mean you have 50,000 garenteed starts, it's simply the rating of the electronics. The point I'm trying to make is , the pump will eventually fail because of the electronics much like any electronic items ie. , TV's. I don't know your driving habits, or how often and how far you drive. It appears to me obviously that you have taken good care and maintance of your truck.

 

[csutton7]

Steve--way to nail the VP and how it works--sounds like you've had some issues--I never heard about it, but glad to see your back--I've been wondering where you've been as you haven't posted to often the last couple of yrs since you went to Hawaii or somehow I missed the posts you made--stay in touch--chris

 

[480RUGER]

I know my VP44 got weak because of the LP. It never just died, I just couldn't hit the gas without the truck shaking and slowly picking up speed. I put on Band-Aid after Band-Aid to keep it running. It lasted 30,000 more but the truck didn't have the power it has now. I hope with the new LP, PP, big fuel lines and additives it will help this one last another 110K. I'm not complaining, just wanted to make sure I was making the new one happy. Thanks TDR

 

[EDembowski]

Two days with the way you drive. :-laf