Pe Fuel Pump Problem

[propuller]

My new pe fuel pump is dropping pressure from 22 psi down to 15 then back up again. Ive had the pump in the truck for about 500 miles & it has never done this before. My gauge is mechanical so i know it is working properly. I know there were some problems with pe fuel pumps does anybody know what those problems were & can they be fixed. I hate to loose this pump it has worked very good so far to keep the pressures up at wot. Thanks Kurt.

 

[jkern]

me too

mine is doing the same thing!!! sometimes it will be 22 psi when i look at the gauge and sometimes it sits at 13 psi. i have ruled out most everything else. not voltage drop or filter problems. hope it isn't a "sign" this is my 5th pump in 42kmiles and it was the one to end all pump replacements

 

[Rob Thomas]

Kurt, my first two PE4200's did the same thing before they up and quit. The 4200 I have now has been working great for some time now, of course more time will tell. Don't get to discouraged, I talked with PE just a few weeks ago and they still are working hard to get they're pumps working for us, dispite what the rumors have been.



As far as this being an "end all pump", not sure how that rumor got started, but remember, these pumps were never designed for diesel fuel. Without our continued everyday driving, all conditions testing, and feedback, PE cannot improve the product. The warrenties are still honored, and the pumps aren't to time consuming to replace, more less a hassle, but this is the price we must pay for a quality product.



Since DC didn't care about testing, and building us a decent pump, I'm glad to know at least someone is trying to. Hang in there guys.



Rob

 

[jwilliams3]

Glad I stuck with the stock lift pump and some drilled banjo bolts.

16 Psi at idle and works.



--Justin

 

[propuller]

Yeah rob im not giving up on the pe pump yet. I need to get ahold of them on tuesday & see if they can send me another one ASAP. Do you know if they are releasing more pumps for the diesel application or are they just sending out warranty replacement pumps?Do you know if they have made any changes to them in the last couple of months?Thanks alot Kurt.

 

[15w40]

I installed the PE4200 pump several months ago and have been biting my fingernails reading these posts. From what I can gather there have been three main problems with these pumps. The spill-over valve malfunctioning, (the same problem found with the Carter lift pump) the PE pump running too hot and cooking itself, and water entry into the motor causing it to malfunction.



The spillover valve is under the hex plug on the side of the pump. I took my pump apart to see how it was made and decided the spring was long enough to not fatigue as quickly as the short spring used on the Carter pumps. But if some trash finds its way into the valve it could drop pressure or cause erratic pressure.



The pump pulling almost 9 amps when running and will cause the pump to run hot. This creates a lot of heat, almost 120 watts. Try holding your hand on a 100-watt light bulb.



Mounting the pump on the frame rail exposes it to water and the motor case is not sealed. If water migrates into the motor bearings and causes rust or if water contaminates the electrical comutator, the motor will slow down and drop pressure. Mounting the pump in a box might be an answer for this problem.



My PE is only drawing 3 to 4 amps in normal running and up to 7 amps at WOT with my pump control circuit (see my reader’s rig) I also sealed the motor housing with silicon RTV. I am hoping the spillover valve will never fail since the valve never opens with the control circuit keeping the pressure at about 7 psi all the time.



One other hair brained idea I am trying is to keep the fuel pressure constant to the VP-44 by soaking up all of the pressure fluxuations, using an Accusump canister to absorb and hold a quart of fuel at 7 psi. This is plumed in at the inlet of the filter housing and will dump fuel into the VP-44 at any time the pressure falls. It also helps the PE by absorbing the varying demand of the VP and allows it to run at an almost constant speed with slowly varying flow demands.



I am hopeful PE solves the problems with this pump. I will be first in line for any pump that can live a long life in our harsh environment.

 

[propuller]

Hi Dave i have heard about the pumps getting wet & causing electrical problems with the motor but my pump has never gotten wet as this truck doesnt get driven much. I have never been in the rain with the truck since the pump was installed & the motor seems to run at a constant speed so it seems like something is wrong in the internal regulator. Like i said before this pump has less than 500 miles on it. Hopefully the next one will be better. Kurt.