Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) VP 44 Reliability?

[chazj]

I was curious 1) How many miles one can expect out of the VP44 when the latter has been outfitted with an aftermarket lift pump that address the low fuel pressure problems of the stock model.



2) When I went to a Cummins Distributer ( as well as the local Dodge dealer) they advised staying with the standard stock 10 micron as opposed to 7 micron. Curious as to why... ??



Thanks for your input.

 

[FourBarR]

VP 44 original now has 460,000kms. 4 lift pumps after the third one moved back by the tank. Still have the bango bolts and same size lines. use mmo and howes meaner in every tank. Cant explain the long life, except for the addatives and the none modified engine , doesnt have enough power in the stock mode to spin it wheels . never sees wot or gets abused. Dailey driver and tows my 3000lb. tool trailer.

 

[rjrkihap]

When I replaced my vp 44 at Cummins NW, I was told that on average a rotary style pump (ie the VP44) will last 150,000 miles. Mine made it 85,000 with a bad lift pump (I did not have a gauge at that time).



Ron

 

[LSchulz]

There's a guy who posts a lot on the Frybrid forums who has an '00 with 372,000 miles on it, the last 100,000 of which were running WVO. He still has the original VP44.

 

[WestTN]

The pump only requires 10 micron filtration. Going to a 7 micron filter WILL cost you delivery pressure.



As a side note, the older your filter gets, the better it filters. The only real reasons to change a filter are that it will no longer supply the required amount of filtered fuel, or has collapsed and delivers unfiltered fuel.

 

[OL RATLR]

VP 44 Reliability? You just can't tell about the reliability on these pumps.

I have always ran a fuel conditioner every tank and have a Fass and I am on my 3rd pump at 118,000.

There is no Reliability least that's my thinking. :{

 

[tmh1955]

IMHO, they aren't reliable. I was on my 3rd VP44 and 2nd lift pump in my 2001 2500 when I traded her in on a 2006. It only had 86k miles. And I ran it stock (no programming) after the 1st Vp44 went. I kept the fuel system clean, changed fuel filter every other oil change, use Asphaltine. Etc.



Good luck

 

[PRout]

I suspect that every time the filter is changed and-or air is introduced into the system, there is a potential for pump damage. The damage could just be stress that shortens life, or it could be enough to take the pump out as mine did with a simple fuel filter change (had a FASS at the time, but after the failure added an air purge valve at the VP for convenience).

I believe air bubbles basically "hammer" or shock load sensitive parts inside the pump. Its almost better to leave things alone while its running right.

I also know of someone that has one of the original VP44s (model 1998. 5 year). He was about 4k shy of 300k miles on his rig still using the original VP. He had an aftermarket pump (unknown type) relocated back by the tank 200k miles ago and says he hardly ever changes his filter, and didnt even have a fuel pressure gauge.

Added: It seems that some of the original VP44s run or ran a long time as compared to some of the 2002s from what I and some others have noted. Also, I suspect the newer rebuilts are more hardened due to updated circuit boards, and better materials used in critical areas of failure. This is only opinion after reading a LOT of threads and first hand info from myself, other VP owners and a rebuilder or two.

 

[OL RATLR]

Added: It seems that some of the original VP44s run or ran a long time as compared to some of the 2002s from what I and some others have noted. Also, I suspect the newer rebuilts are more hardened due to updated circuit boards, and better materials used in critical areas of failure. This is only opinion after reading a LOT of threads and first hand info from myself, other VP owners and a rebuilder or two.





I :{sure hope so replaced mine again last month.



Getting to be a pain in the A*S.

 

[MKreiberg]

Mine is orginal and at 234K ... previous owner relocated lift pump

 

[Cliffman]

Dead at 256,412

 

[klcammie]

256k. Run fppf evertime put fuel in. On my fourth lift pump. IMHO vp44 better than lift pump.

 

[IdahoJim]

My original went 286,000+, and was still running when replaced. Added a big line, and relocation kit at +/- 100,000. Always used the Carter lift pumps.
Jim

 

[Joe Mc]

OK my $0.02, see sig replaced VP 3/2009. I purchased in 5/01 w/75k miles so no way to tell if VP was original or??? Sometime in or around April/May of 03, I had the trans DTT'ed and the truck at that time had about 139k on it. Prior to the trans I had relocated the stock LP on the frame by the tank. After the trans had a few thousand miles on it I started to BOMB, started out with Edge Comp Box and 1.8 Mach sticks. Sometime in 06 I went to Mach 5 sticks, Quick Diesel 64/14 Turbo, Walbro LP with big line kit and 2 micron filter kit. I hope I'm not jinxing myself here but, not driving the truck much any more (maybe 4 or 500 miles a month) the VP is working fine w/present odometer reading of 220,105 miles.

 

[Bob4x4]

There has been quite a few internal upgrades to the vp since it was first installed.Both filter,and pump maintenence as well as driving habits make some last longer than others

 

[SAndreasen]

I think a lot of Pumps get replaced without any or very poor diagnostics to .

 

[DavidC]

I think a lot of Pumps get replaced without any or very poor diagnostics to .

I almost replaced mine until I narrowed it down to the weird lift pump problem. When it was a cold start = long cranking but after the start it would be fine. Finally found an intermittent connection internal to the lift pump.It acted like Blue Chip's t/s page for a broken diaphram which I now understand has never been verified of one happening.

Dave

 

[IdahoJim]

In my case, I was having hard start when hot issues. because I spend a lot of time out in boondocks, I decided the pump was giving me an "early warning" it was going to fail, and replaced it. It had about
286,000 on it also, and I'd read of few pumps going that far, so I figured it was due.
Jim

 

[samsonite01]

I have a fuelabs velocity100 lift pump coupled with a cat 2mic filter. Some say its overkill and limits fuel pressure. I have no fuel pressure problems. I think the cleaner the fuel the better. Keeps injectors happy!

 

[SAndreasen]

I almost replaced mine until I narrowed it down to the weird lift pump problem. When it was a cold start = long cranking but after the start it would be fine. Finally found an intermittent connection internal to the lift pump.It acted like Blue Chip's t/s page for a broken diaphram which I now understand has never been verified of one happening.

Dave

Seems s like every time something goes wrong the first thing to do is replace the vp 44