Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Poll. Who has replaced their VP44?

[LAllen]

I just did mine last week @ 153K. Stopped running on the way home on Easter Sunday. Put in a Bluechip X box and it runs better then ever. I'm on my 4th lift pump next time I'll upgrade to a FASS.

 

[RNixon]

Looks like I'm about to replace my OEM VP44 at 190,000 miles. Truck won't start. Just got the diagnostic procedure from Blue Chip Diesel. Will confirm today whether pump is failed.

Has anyone tried the Blue Chip "Special X" pump? Chip says it gives 2-3 mpg better economy, due to timing changes. That could be worth the extra cost.

 

[JLandry]

Mine failed a month ago in Death Valley...

I'd been getting P0216 diagnostic trouble codes for the past 10,000 miles or so. From this I knew my VP44 was living on borrowed time, so I started carrying a spare VP44 with me at all times.

While headed down to the Death Valley area from Seattle towing my travel trailer this past Easter Sunday down I5 in the snow, the engine sputtered twice while pulling hard up the Siskiyou Pass near Yreka, CA. I had tire chains on both the truck and the travel trailer! It almost made my heart stop when the engine skipped a couple of beats! I had visions of being stranded on a snowy pass and the nightmare that would ensue. We made it down to an RV park in Shoshone, CA (SE of Death Valley NP) a couple of days later with more P0216 codes along the way, but thankfully no more engine sputtering.

The morning after we arrived in Shoshone, we headed out from the RV park for a local tourist destination we enjoy visiting, and for the first time ever I experienced what I think might be the dreaded "dead-pedal effect. " While the engine responded to the accelerator pedal, it had very little power... top speed was about 20 mph. This cleared up in a minute or two of driving, but happened a second time on our way out of town. I came to my senses, turned around, and went right back to the RV park where I proceeded to swap out the original VP44 with the replacement I was carrying. It only took me 3 hours start to finish including replacing the cam position sensor, clean-up, and putting away the tools. I couldn't have done it so fast or easily without all the instruction videos available on Youtube.

John L.

 

[RobertBradford]

Replaced mine at 170K because the lift pump failed. Dodge claimed it was only the lift pump and replaced it by putting the fuel pump in the tank at $1000. When that didn't work I took it to someone that knows diesels (Dodge dealers don't) and they replaced the VP.

 

[PSpychalski]

Working on 2nd vp in 80k miles.

 

[WWillisJr]

Is your trans still stock?

Yes, except for the largest transmission cooler I could fit in, Redline synthetic ATF, a Mag Hytec deep sump pan, and a transmission temp gauge that I keep a very close eye on. So far, so good!



WOW, what a difference! When passing slower traffic, I really need to be easy on the throttle, or else I'll get whiplash from the instant response... . what a difference from before! When travelling up the grade on I-15 South just over the stateline in California, I used to have a bit of trouble on it, but not now; I have plenty of power to spare and can easily tool up the hills now. I'm very impressed, and happy with the II-HR44/FASS setup.

 

[Harlacher]

Replaced mine at about 100,000 and again at 180,000.