Uh oh. Looks like the VP44 gave it up

[SnoKing]

Most bang for the buck is a cheaper in frame pump (walbro etc) and a filter head that you choose the filters you want for. Keep a spare in the truck and if the pump ever goes out, you're back in business within minutes.

If i were to do it again, that's more or less how I'd do it. The fleece product is interesting though.

I ran a frame mounted OEM and then an Airtex similar to the Walbro pump on my 2001.5. The Airtex was very reliable, for 7 or 8 years until I sold the truck.

 

[petersonj]

The Airtex was very reliable, for 8 or 8 years until I sold the truck.

Which was it? 8, or 8 years?

 

[Gearclash]

With that mileage you might also consider replacing the tappet cover gasket when you have the VP off. It's impossible to do it with the pump in place. If you do don't buy cheap gaskets off ebay. You're better off going to Cummins and getting it there.

That is a good idea! Thanks for the reminder. I should check the valves too while I’m up to my elbows in this thing.

 

[GAmes]

Today the odometer reads 344,000 miles - that is 257,000 miles on the second VP44 with OEM filtration and OEM fuel lines. The VP44 has performed great for all of these years. I have never had a failure with any of the lift pumps and the in-tank lift pump ran the longest, so far.

- John

Do you use any additives?

 

[dblake]

Do you use any additives?

I moved my OEM to the frame rail and installed a big line kit. Then later I installed a FASS and fuel sump kit. I left my OEM pump and filter as a backup system. If my FASS ever fails I’ll just swap a few fuel lines and electrical plug and keep burning carbon atoms.

 

[petersonj]

Do you use any additives?

I do not use any additives. Oregon has mandated a minimum of 5% biodiesel statewide since around 2005 or so and that may help with lubricity for the injection pump. However, I have put many miles on the truck out of state without using additives.

- John

 

[NIsaacs]

Do you use any additives?

347k miles on my oem VP, '01 Dodge, never use additives.

 

[GAmes]

Thank you both. I'm sure many more trouble free miles are in your future.

 

[SnoKing]

347k miles on my oem VP, '01 Dodge, never use additives.

Your HO pump must not have had the brass pore that my 2001.5 SO had! Mine failed at 52K.

 

[SAndreasen]

Im running a ddrp have a 5 stage edge and plus fifty injectiors wide open throttle pressure 8 with the new injrction pump was 6 with the old pump this is the second vp44 ever replaced in 5 trucks and been driving them for 17 years now this is the only truck ive ever owned that had anything but a stock lift pump and all have been in the stock location

 

[Joe Mc]

See signature, GDP 392 Walbro, big line (1/2") kit, 2 filters always used Fleetgaurd - 1 water separator, 1 fuel, Vulcan Draw Straw have had this system for many, many years and for around 120k+ miles. I set regulator @20 psi (I read on TDR before setting regulator that VP doesn't like anything more than 22.5 psi) gauge reads (confirmed with mechanical) 20 psi from idle up thru WOT with Edge Comp at "any" setting. Not saying my set up is the best, it has just worked excellently for me and for miles and miles and years and years. Oh, always used Hot Shots EDT at fill up and Diesel Extreme about every 3rd or 4th fill up. Just saying.

 

[Gearclash]

Follow up on this. Replaced the dead VP with the mid level ($2000) from Blue Chip. Truck is running fine again. I am as sure as I can be that the original pump quit due to the computer on it failing. There was no timing related code. So for now I’m leaving the lift pump alone. Evidently it is doing its job.

While I was under the hood, I pulled the front cover and checked the killer dowel pin. This is a 1999 model year with an August of 1998 build date and it definitely has the killer dowel pin. However it was nicely in place yet so I staked the pin bore in the front cover and sewed everything up again.

One other note. When I was replacing the front cover I messed up the front main seal. No huge surprise, and I was debating replacing it anyway. I got a replacement through Mopar (genuine Cummins part) and I will never do that again. They provide a seal that has a coating on the housing that makes it a real bear to install. Next time I will get an Ag version that has a non coated seal housing.

 

[GAmes]

Coating on the housing? Do you mean the red paint? Did you follow the instructions to apply a bead of loctite to the outside of the seal before installing it in the cover? While wet it is a bit of a lubricant.

 

[Gearclash]

Coating on the housing? Do you mean the red paint? Did you follow the instructions to apply a bead of loctite to the outside of the seal before installing it in the cover? While wet it is a bit of a lubricant.

No. This seal had some kind of rubberized coating on the steel housing where the seal presses into the cover. Absolutely miserable to install. Much rather have a plain steel housing and put loctite on it.

Here is an example. Must be what they call a nitrile coated seal. This was a genuine Cummins part.

Amazon product ASIN B07C29VT7X

 

[GAmes]

The link you attached doesn't say Genuine Cummins part or anything close. What it does say is "Designed to OEM specifications". The genuine Cummins seal is red and a lot more than $9 https://www.dieselpowerproducts.com...ord=&msclkid=04cbe3b531151b719bf4838139de19f1

 

[BigPapa]

The original Mopar # was 68027026AA which has been superseded to 68426385AA. They list for @ $30.00. This is it:

The Cummins seal is number 3937111. They list for @ $38.00.

 

[GAmes]

The Felpro seal which is identical to the genuine Cummins comes with a cover plate gasket for $29 at RockAuto.

 

[Gearclash]

The link you attached doesn't say Genuine Cummins part or anything close. What it does say is "Designed to OEM specifications". The genuine Cummins seal is red and a lot more than $9 https://www.dieselpowerproducts.com...ord=&msclkid=04cbe3b531151b719bf4838139de19f1

What I linked was not what I used, it is an example of the coating on the seal.

The seal I got was like the first seal shown in BigPapa’s post. The second seal doesn’t look like it has that nitrile coating.

 

[Gearclash]

I dug up the receipt and I was given part # 68426385AA with a list price of $36.85. It did say Cummins on the bag.

In any case I don’t want that style seal again!

Another thing I forgot to mention above, when I was removing the old pump I discovered that the pump support bracket was broke. Apparently that is a common problem with the older style steel support brackets. Convention wisdom says the vac and power steering pumps must come off to R and R the support bracket. I found that it is possible to shear off the lower bolt of the support bracket and remove it, then use a mini hex head bolt to reinstall it thus saving the hassle of removing the vac and power steering pumps.

 

[Joe Mc]

When I did the kdp fix I got all parts from Geno's including new balancer seal kit. I screwed the pooch on first install, I recall it being a pia and also realized what I did incorrectly first go round. I did create a post with pictures of second time (this was 5+ years back) and will see if I can locate and link to this post later on. I think the post I made was sticky for a while. Later