Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) New VP44 installed=Amazing

[Jaytman]

Hi guys. Love the site. Learned alot from everyone and hoping to share some of my own knowledge and experiences. So my tach started bouncing around last week for about 3 days and I figured it was the ckp sensor. I was heading home to pull it in the shop and check it out. I was just driving along and I got a yellow light so I punched it and when I let off the throttle the engine died instantly and I coasted into a Target parking lot. I thought it might be due to the ckp being bad so I got one from Cummins and replaced it in the parking lot. Went to start the truck and she didn't fire up #@$%! I towed it to the shop and replaced the cmp sensor which was a major biotch. Still nothing. I didnt have any codes. I checked fuel pressure and made sure the injection pump had fuel, I cracked the lines to the injectors and barely got any fuel coming out. I read here and on Blue chip Diesel about how to hot wire the injection pump in order to test it. Nothing. :-{} I checked around to find out the best place for a injection pump and ended up going to MWFI in Bollingbrook Illinois. I was too impatient to wait for UPS so I drove down there from Racine, WI. Let me tell you if anyone ever needs a pump or injectors MWFI is the place to go. I got a full tour of there facilities. I was curious as to if they replaced the computer on the top of the pump because that was one of my concerns and believe me they basically are just assembling brand new pumps over there. Even the cases are new (not re-manufactured). They told me that Bosch changed the openings of certain ports so they have to install new cases. The rooms where they assemble the pumps and calibrate them are cleaner than most peoples houses. I am not exaggerating. It didn't even smell like a shop. Very nice people over there. I was able to talk with the guys that actually build the pumps and calibrate them as well. I spent over 2 hours MWFI just talking to everyone. They even offered to buy me lunch Oo. I feel very confident buying from them and I would highly recommend them to anyone. I ended up getting the package deal with the VP44, new carter lift pump (even if it is a POS), Fleetguard fuel filter, and return label for the core for just over $1,100. 00. They also threw in a couple of MWFI T-shirts. I cant say enough how satisfied I was with there customer service. It seems that is hard to find these days. I went home, installed the injection pump, changed the fuel filter and she started up right away. Along with a good running truck my fuel mileage also increased and is back to normal. Im guessing its most likely due to the fact the my VP44 was on its way out. It took me about 8 hours all together and that includes polishing my intake cover and apps bracket :-laf If anyone has any questions I would be more than happy to answer them. Jay

 

[AlaskanCummins]

Nice to hear that you got excellent results from MWFI. I purchased one of their pumps 2 years ago and it was bad from the get go. This was my first ISB engine installed in conversion application, so when it'd cut out at high rpm's I thought it may have been an installation issue.



I chased my tail for 2 years as the problem persisted to get worse. By now, I'm way out of the warranty. So, I talked extensively with Chip at BlueChip Diesel and he said right away that it was a bad computer on top of the VP44.



So, moral of the story is that you get what you pay for. My truck has NEVER ran so good since my transformation was completed. He rebuilds the pumps 100%, including the computer. Some companies don't; that's why they can sell them for $1050. They may say they change the computer, but in my case, it wasn't.



I would totally recommend Blue Chip Diesel over anyone else. Even though his standard pump is $550 more than the competition!



Didn't mean to hijack the thread and cause a brand war, but I had to weigh in and let those that read this know my experience.

 

[Jaytman]

Wow. Sorry to hear they didnt work out for you. I wonder if 2 years ago they didnt replace all the computers and just tested them to eliminate the bad ones. I know for a fact that now they replace all the computers. I saw a massive bin full of old computers that they removed and also saw all the rebuilt pumps on there inventory shelves and all of them had nice shiney new computers on top. They also told me that the old computers they take off that are still good they send to OTHER COMPANIES that buy them off of MWFI. I couldnt believe that!! I
I do agree with you though, you get what you pay for and usually that is very true. I also only have 500 miles on the new pump, so you never know. But I did get a very good feeling about there quality.
What was your truck doing with the pump you got from MWFI? It just didnt run all that good or what. I am just curious Jay

 

[AlaskanCummins]

When I was done with the conversion, I ran the truck with the VP44 that came with it and it started to throw all the death codes, etc. I researched and purchased the MWFI pump as it was the best deal I found and at the time didn't know about Chip Fischer.



After installation, the truck had a high rpm skip, or if you will, split second "cut out". It only happened a couple of times and then went away for a couple of months. I just thought it was a hiccup of sorts. Then, it started to do it more and more. Not just high rpm but at almost anytime in the range above 1K and with a load. It'd run fine ideling.



I tried everything. Sensors, ground connections, checking all my wiring. That's when I called Chip and he said it's the computer. I asked him if I could send him my pump and he could test it on his stand. He told me it was a driveability issue and that it'll more than likely pass on the stand because it wasn't throwing any codes. He also said that if the computer wasn't changed because it may have passed someone elses bench test, I wouldn't have any idea of how many heat cycles were on it.



Heat is the death of the VP's computer. It uses fuel to cool it while it's running, but what kills it is the latent heat off the engine when you shut it down. Especially in hot climates. He's working on some sort of post cooling system that he's hoping he'll be able to release sometime before this summer.



Hopefully they are changing the computers 100% as they may not have 2 years ago. And, I have to admit that I never contacted them because I was a year past the warranty. So, I didn't waste my time. They may have worked with me, I don't know. There are may on this site that are just as satisfied with them as you are.

 

[JMetzger]

If I remember Blue Chip Diesel is using the UPS computer which is a heavy duty computer only Chip Fisher reprograms it for our trucks. I guess that is why he does not have any problems with the computer on his pumps.

 

[Jaytman]

That would be nice if someone came up with an easy way to cool down the pumps on these trucks like you said Chip was working on. If I remember right I thought there were a couple of guys that added some kind of cooling fan that draws in outside air to cool down the pump. I would love to have that as an extra precaution because we all know that those pumps are not cheap. If anyone has any good ideas feel free to chirp in. Jay

 

[Jaytman]

Jack. Thats a good point. What is the difference between the UPS and standard computer.

 

[AlaskanCummins]

Actually it was FedEx that took an order of a huge fleet of ISB powered vans back in 99/2K timeframe and they started to have huge failures. We all know that there aren't any warranties on fleet vehicles (except for standard 3yr/36K) and all these VP failures were costing them mega dollars.



FedEx actually got Bosch to go back to the drawing board to refigure the computer so it'd withstand the heat and beating that their drivers put the vans through. Chip has always changed out to this upgraded computer. Supposedly it's the only one that Bosch sells now to rebuilders.

 

[Jaytman]

Nice. Thanks AlaskanCummins for the response. I really hope that Bosch only sells the upgraded computer to the re-builders. If not I would say that's B. S. We deserve a upgraded computer just as much as FedEx or UPS for that matter.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

That would be nice if someone came up with an easy way to cool down the pumps on these trucks like you said Chip was working on. If I remember right I thought there were a couple of guys that added some kind of cooling fan that draws in outside air to cool down the pump. I would love to have that as an extra precaution because we all know that those pumps are not cheap. If anyone has any good ideas feel free to chirp in. Jay

It's a long thread - best info near the end - the setup shown installed on my truck is still there, working perfectly:



Modifying fuel system so temperature input to VP44, 80* - 100*, your inputs. - TDR Roundtable

 

[John - K5AWO]

My VP44 came from MWFI 2 years ago, and nary a problem. The power increase over the old one was very noticeable.

I don't use my truck as a daily driver though, if I start it, it goes somewhere and don't shut down for a long time.

 

[Jaytman]

Awesome reading. Thanks a lot Gary

John- Glad to hear you had a good experience with MWFI

 

[JMetzger]

Thanks AlaskinCummins, you are right it was Fed Ex not UPS.

 

[Ncostello]

Wasn't the FedEx issue heat soaking from shutting the truck off constantly while hot... which constantly cuts off fuel flow for cooling? I love it when Fed or UPS pulls up and they shut the truck off while still rolling up. Then its as if they start it in gear and zoom away. I swear the trucks are moving while cranking!

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Wasn't the FedEx issue heat soaking from shutting the truck off constantly while hot... which constantly cuts off fuel flow for cooling? I love it when Fed or UPS pulls up and they shut the truck off while still rolling up. Then its as if they start it in gear and zoom away. I swear the trucks are moving while cranking!

YUP - heat soak was the primary issue in failed internal electronics in the VP-44, and a pretty high percentage of failures WERE the VP-44 internal control electronics board - but there were a few mechanical design issues inside as well - later rebuilts with redesigned components (both electronic AND mechanical!) SEEMS to have brought failure rates down on a par with other injection pump types...

 

[aerialimage]

two thumbs up for MWFI here TOO!

Great people, Great prices Return label included, No core charge unless you fail to return! Sounds like Bosch requires most parts changed out now to be a certified rebuild shop! So Far I'm very happy and Would buy from MWFI again. Great company, Great customer service and A very fair price which I really appreciate Because I know it is hard for any business today to keep costs down and still provide top products at top prices! I read many great reviews on them before I placed my order! IF my pockets were very deep I might have liked to try a Blue chip because They sound like honest people and are really digging in to learn and improve everything about that pump. But with my smaller pockets I was so happy to find Our friends at MWFI! Thanks MWFI for helping us keep our favorite trucks reliable and ready to work! I think were all lucky to have TDR, MWFI and BLUE Chip! This is like one Big family out here!