Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) VP-44 question to Cummins...

[Gary - K7GLD]

Due to recent info on later VP-44 internal electronics revisions, and some individual tests a couple of us are doing related to underhood and fuel temperatures to the VP-44, I have sent this message to Cummins:



"I'm sure you are aware of the relatively significant number of early failures of the VP-44 injection pumps in the ISB-5. 9 diesel engines used in dodge trucks - just as I am.



It has come to my attention that at some point, primarily in regards to these failures in UPS trucks, that Bosch upgraded the VP-44 internal control boards with a revised unit that provided better heat resistance.



My question is, at what point did that revision take place, and does my truck engine have that upgraded control board?



My truck is a 2002 2500 High-output model, manual transmission - engine # is 56887464.



If possible, can you also provide me with the Bosch temperature spec for the VP-44 as to both ambient and fuel temperature?



Thank you"



I get back with any reply they return to me...

 

[rweis]

I thought it was FedEx trucks.



Bob Weis

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I thought it was FedEx trucks.



Bob Weis

You could be right - but I'm sure they will get the drift...

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

You could be right - but I'm sure they will get the drift...

Yeah ... right :-laf







And yes it is both FedUp and OOps that run the 5. 9 in the grummand bodies.

 

[amnewsom]

As a could Fedex employee I take offense to being confused to the point you thought it was UPS.



UH... . What are talking about, I must have missed a thread, I didnt know we had ISB CTD in any of our trucks. Please educate me. Thanks.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Well, disgustingly, Cummins passed the buck, said they don't have access to Bosch info on the VP-44 internals, and referred me directly to bosch. NOW, if things go according to Murphy's Law, Bosch will claim to not have any DC info on when/what engines GOT the upgraded VP's, and I'm in a catch 22...



BUT, I'll try anyway - and cheat by asking at what serial #'s the upgraded control boards were placed in use...



I'n betting this all gets me nowhere!

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Well gary, I'm betting that after all this you still will end up payin the phone bill and some how it will just not seem like you got your moneys worth.

 

[Will24]

I imagine it must have been pumps built starting 1/04. When we do the "bus recall" at work, any pump dated 03 is junk, regardless of it's current operating condition, it gets replaced.





-Will

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I imagine it must have been pumps built starting 1/04. When we do the "bus recall" at work, any pump dated 03 is junk, regardless of it's current operating condition, it gets replaced.





-Will

HMmmm - I wouldn't have thought Bosch was making many VP-44's much after that - as I understand it, they haven't been making them for some time now, and there are no new ones evailable any more...



Sounds about right tho' provide a "fix" *AFTER* production is stopped...

 

[Will24]

The "new" ones are all Reman





-Will

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

The "new" ones are all Reman





-Will

That explains it - and wouldn't ya know it!



I was hoping that the revision took place in late regular production, and that just MAYBE my '02 was one of the lucky ones...

 

[Will24]

Gary, let me see if anyone knows of any revisions around that time, I might be able to find somethin' out for ya





-Will (kb3gof)

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Gary, let me see if anyone knows of any revisions around that time, I might be able to find somethin' out for ya





-Will (kb3gof)

Thanks Will - if you find someone with the right connections, actual pump serial numbers where mods kicked in would be a big plus!



Undoubtedly too much to hope for tho - but it doesn't hurt to ask...

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

I seem to remember a revision to the circuitry cover itself. Basicly that cover made into a heat sinc that draws heat from that area much more efficiently.

 

[rweis]

Where do you find the serial # or mfg data or what data is readable off the VP and where is it?



I just got a new? VP from DC and am really courous about its "born on date"



Bob Weis

 

[hammersley]

Did Cummins ever reply???????????

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

BOB, as far as I can tell, the VP serial # is on this pad:



#ad




And no, no further response from Bosch - but Will, up in post #8 in this thread seems convinced the actual internal electronics upgrade is applied only to Bosch remanufactured pumps, since the actual board upgrade wasn't available until after VP-44 production of new pumps was ended...

 

[rweis]

And the data pad is where please?



I am trying to ascertain which VP DC replaced mine with.



Bob Weis

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

And the data pad is where please?



I am trying to ascertain which VP DC replaced mine with.



Bob Weis

It's on the side of the VP facing the fender, sorta in behind the incoming and return fuel lines...

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Finally got a response from Cummins:





"Powermasters, I just heard back from Bosch on this issue. The upgraded board did

not go into production until November 2002, well after this gentleman's engine

was produced. However, he should note that the operating cycle of a UPS vehicle

is drastically different from a Dodge pickup. The VP44 issue was related to the

high number of engine start/shut down cycles (100s/day), seen by delivery

vehicles, that was causing the failures. This is not a problem on the Dodge.



Regards,



Ken Scobel

OEM Service Mgr

DCX Account Team"



Looks like the "fix" went into effect AFTER live production of the VP-44 was pretty much ended - and the "upgrade" is limited to VP-44 rebuilds, as mentioned earlier...