Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Poll - when did your vp44 fail

[damon]

I'm noticing a trend in reported vp44 failures, and I'd like to see if this is mileage related. Please include the year of your truck and any engine mods as well.



I started seeing p0216 codes at about 37,000 miles, and the vp44 will now be replaced at 41,000. Mostly commuting, and about 10k miles of towing 12k#.

 

[Bloomy]

67,000 miles completely stock. A lot of driving and idling on construction sites. Very little towing.

 

[Texas Diesel]

01, 95k, no problems (on third LP)

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

'02, 25,000 mile, LOTS of towing - no problems.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

01, 92,396 miles original VP, second lift pump. I never go below 1/4 tank usually between 1/2 and 1/4 I fill up. I use Cenpeco fuel additive and have an Edge comp.

 

[Peter Campbell]

76,000 miles. Was idling rough for about a year- then it would not idle ( during a long trip). New lift pump and a pusher pump. But the damage was done early and just now caught up.

 

[OTRPU]

288k, it actually failed before the real mods. Had done the exhaust & downpipe, AFE airbox, and the ATS transmission, TC & ATS header. When it went I did stage III injectors and an Edge card. Went like a scalded ass ape. . . til it blew. OTRPU is now back on the road. Had them turn the Edge down some, running a 28 ft 5er from Bristol, IN to north Salt Lake City, UT. Haven't seen a big truck yet I couldn't whip. Course most those boys pullin a real load. Some of the kid truckers turn those puppies up where they're really quite impressive. 70 or 80 up a grade with 80k on. . . got my respect. Gotta gain some self control, hard to keep the EGT's under 1,250. Lock er in OD at 65 MPH, she's climbed most everything so far without dropping more than 5 MPH. Parleys Summit tomorrow. To get the EGT down I'm having to drop out of OD and back off the throttle. Been buckin some wind accross 80 W, like to blowed the 5er apart. Come accross a Colorado Car Hauler, late model PSD with a 2 car wedge, red no less. Decided to let him have the hill, at 1,400 degrees F I chickened out. Think I'm looking at needing more air, prolly via larger turbo. Then of course it's got to get out of the engine. Don't wanna blow up another one. Sure nice having my bed back.



Cheers,

Steve J.

 

[GarrettPetersen]

my truck is a 98. 5. my vp44 went out at around 68000. lost the lift pump before it happend. I then installed a comp box and thats the end of the story

 

[TORQUE THIS]

Today 5-6-2004 58000

 

[RKohn]

155k

Lost a lift pump @ 97k, wish it woulda quit then while it was stock and under warranty.



The next 155k is gonna be even more fun. Rebuilt pump is in the garage waiting for the truck to come back from the body shop. After it's running again, theres a different set of tires, 047 springs, hadleys, new luk ceramic clutch, new isspro ev gauges, and a drag comp. Gotta order a track bar, shocks, and a hybrid turbo. Got a set of injectors out for "cleaning".

 

[jjohn]

53K

bhaf

4" Exhaust

Gauges

EZ box at around 15k

275's soon after

DTT at 38K

lift pump at 51K

vp44 at 53k



Lift pump replaced when it dropped below 10 at hiway speeds.



Generously used Stanadyne performance formula every fill up from day one.

 

[Melbo]

68,000 lift pump and then immediatly vp44. got that "ghost pedal" when accelerating... nothing



replaced under warranty with some hassles... Used a bunch of TDR thread quotes to back myself up...



Replaced by STAR N/C



melbo



92k now and my fingers are crossed that it will go again soon!

 

[FFL8N]

First one still going strong... 95,000 miles and on the third lift pump.

 

[Sticks]

36k, death by LP. Pre gauges.

 

[Houser]

Codes @ 36k

New LP AND VP @ 42k



Houser

Installed EZ @ 5K

 

[NKing]

Just had the vp44done at 80,000 miles, lp at 70,000 under warranty, but it took 4 trips to the dealer. No mods and light freeway driving mostly. I'm starting to believe that for some reason easy freeway driving is harder on the VP44 than when the truck is loaded and working hard. Just a gut feeling. I will be installing a fuel pressure guage very soon because the next VP will be on my credit card. My next truck will not be a Chrysler product because thier warranty service sucks. Won't be a Ford or Chevy either cause they suck too. Guess I'll just keep fixin the one I have.

 

[Babyfat]

got mine back today lift pump at around 80000, pump today at 85423, have d-box, straight pipes, no problems warranty so far,

but whats next trans?

 

[damon]

As I thought, 40-50k miles seems to be a common failure point for the 01-02 trucks.



Does anyone know if the pump has been updated, or are we simply getting another 40k mile unit and hoping that they die in a "convenient" location and time ?

 

[Boost]

Being replaced today at 42K. Ran great till monday then clouds of white smoke and rough running at 1500-2000 rpms. Lift pump replaced 10k ago.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"Does anyone know if the pump has been updated, or are we simply getting another 40k mile unit and hoping that they die in a "convenient" location and time ?"



No upgrades I m aware of after '01 - most of us just do what preventative stuff we can, then keep our fingers crossed...



Instead of the few outfits currently involved in boosting performance of the VP-44, *I* would FAR rather see someone working on whatever is required to make them LIVE longer!



Surely by now, the "experts" should have the weak points identified, and an idea as to ways to beef them up.