Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Pusher pump too strong?

[azcummins]

My pressures are 22 idle, 18 WOT.



My stock pump had about 20k miles on it when I put on the pusher but it was running good pressures before I put the pusher on. I read somewhere here that even if your stock one dies, the pusher can push fuel through it. Also-people said that if your stock one dies and the pusher is good, you can see through the pressures that the stock one is dead. Obviously this isn't the case.



Still wondering why it started bad once, then ran fine for 2 days afterwards.

 

[DEZLPWR]

As I stated before, I have 23psi @ idle and no less than 19psi @ wot. I have had my problem-free setup for 4 months now & I know several other people with the same setup as mine (some for OVER 1 year) that have NEVER had a hard start problem. Come on guys, it's gotta be something else! No one seems to want to answer the question of why it worked fine for 3 months, was a problem 1 time, and is now working fine again.

This "too much fuel psi" theory just doesn't make sense if you think about it.....



I believe it was Bill Kondolay and his crew that tested a 30+psi fuel system with a VP44 with no detrimental results or hard starting. Maybe you should call him and he can give you for info on this.

 

[azcummins]

Dezl-

I agree with you. It's good to hear lots of opinions though and I thank everyone for their thoughts.



The dealer's #1 diesel guy was out sick today but he is supposed to be back in am so I'm going to talk to him and see what he says. If he adheres to the "too much" theory, I'll bring the truck home and try somewhere else.



Perhaps I got a section of bad fuel that just happened to be in the line when I started it up.



In a way, I don't feel like the pump is dying b/c of the fact that it started hard once, then works fine. Confusing nonetheless...

 

[rashwor]

Mine does it too.

Mine does the same thing from time to time az. It does not do it all the time, and you can't predict when it will or will not do it. I had mine reflashed (I knew better, but I let them do it anyway) to no avail.



I finally tracked mine down to what I think is a leaking water trap drain valve letting air into the system. It runs diesel out all around the valve, but only when the valve is open. I think this allows air into the system and it does not purge all the way out. I have not had a chance to determine why the valve leaks when open, but since it does not leak driving down the road, I am just living with it until I have time to fix it.

 

[azcummins]

rash-

interesting theory. Mine started like it was out of fuel like when you change the filter, but then grumbled to a start, ramped up to 2500 rpms on its own, came back down to idle, then died.



the latest report is that the VP44 is dying so I'm getting a new one. I'll see if this helps.

 

[rashwor]

I been wondering the same....

az,



Mine first done the hard start right after a fuel filter change, and that is when the water drain valve started leaking. I am hoping this is it and not the VP.



I been wondering if my VP is dying b/c it has been doing it more often lately... . Time will tell; i don't know anything to do but run it till it won't. My waranty is out, so the VP will be on my dime if that is it.



Are you still under the 100,000 mile warranty or is this VP on your dime? If it is on your dime, let me know how you go about it. I probably won't be guilty of buying one from the dealer. I think there are better prices to be had and new pumps instead of rebuilt ones (Piers, etc). I think piers has a souped up version.



Good luck. I will keep my fingers crossed for you.