Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) P0216 Code - Bad VP44 or Something Else?

[HeavyHauler]

Hey guys - a buddy with a '98. 5 came to me the other day with truck problems. He was having long, hard starts and he said it was stumbling under acceleration and it would even stumble at idle when the A/C compressor cycled.



I scanned for codes and the P0216 came up. We hooked up a Snap-On Solus scanner and went for a drive and he could only hit 17psi of boost. His only mod is an Edge EZ but he does have the boost elbow in.



He had his lift pump replaced less than 100 miles ago but the shop didn't tell him what the pressures were.



I'm wondering if he doesn't have air in the system still. Probably not likely, but I hate to see him spend $1000 on a VP44 and it not fix his problem. That wouldn't look very good on my part either. :-laf



He doesn't have any gauges so I don't have any idea what his current fuel pressures are.



I've read Gary's latest thread on the P0216, but I don't think it applies here because Gary isn't having any performance issues.



Any ideas?

 

[Jetpilot]

Hans,



Sounds like the VP... . I hate to say it but the symptoms descibed along with the code indicate a malfunctioning VP.



Doug Smith

 

[nps]

Yep - VP time. But a quick check of FP with a mechanical gauge would be cheap confirmation.



Why did they change the LP 100 miles ago? Same problem?

 

[HeavyHauler]

Thanks for the replies, fellas.



A little over a year ago, he started to notice a slight surge/stumble when towing heavy after he installed the Edge EZ. I told him that he needed to get his fuel pressure checked, but the problem could be the EZ acting up. So he finally got around to having the pump checked a couple of months ago and the shop said it needed replaced. He also said that his mileage had dropped to about 10 MPG.



The hard starting and nasty engine stumble just started a couple of days ago.



That surge he has having last year was not as severe as what he experienced the other day.

 

[Boondocker]

Have you taken the EZ out of the equation by removing it entirely?

The code plus driveability issues are two strikes.

So, why did the dealer replace the lift pump?



Neil

 

[nps]

... He also said that his mileage had dropped to about 10 MPG.



The hard starting and nasty engine stumble just started a couple of days ago.

Sounds like a VP44. :{