Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Vp44

[Short Stack]

Well #4 on the VP44, new one installed today under warranty. First one made it to 46000, then insatalled second one, it made it to 62000,then the third one went in and it made it to 90000, and now today on my forth one with only 9500 miles untill the warranty is up. Not good odds.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Just swapped mine out last Sunday - a little over 40K miles - sure hope I don't duplicate your failure rate!



Seems spring time usually brings lots of VP-44 failures - but THIS spring looks like a record!

 

[Short Stack]

I don't know it has been about one VP44 per year, the funny thing is the truck always is driveable and has never left me stranded. Just seems kind of odd to go through that many. I did have a miss this time for about a block and the CEL came on checked with ODB P0216 code , Dodge replaced it. But I drove it about 200 more miles before it was replaced.

 

[keimmmo]

I don't see anything about modifications to your truck in your signature. Since you will be the one paying for the next one, I would recommend making some modifications to improve the chance that this one will last longer!



First, install a fuel pressure gauge! I would recommend a mechanical one over an electrical gauge.



There is a lot of talk about the Vulcan and similar kits on the site to improve the fuel pressure at the VP. I think this modification is one of the best ones you can make!!!



There are also threads talking about lowering the fuel temperatures at the inlet of the VP. If you are seeing high temperatures, it could be a factor in killing so many pumps. You don't have to do EVERYTHING some of the guys are doing, but some of the modifications that have given the biggest results and fairly easy!



Beyond that, buy good fuel and a little extra lub in the fuel wouldn't hurt either.



Good luck!



Steve Keim

 

[Short Stack]

I do have mods just haven't listed all yet. I do have a Fass, they did a flow test 1gal in like 20 seconds. I have fuel, boost,pyro gauges, as far as heat and the VP44 not quit sure on that yet. Fuel runs @ 15 to 17 psi and 14 psi wot.

 

[Short Stack]

I never noticed my mods don't show when I post, guess I will have to work on that, they are in my truck profile.

 

[Graphic man]

I guess i am one of the lucky ones... ... 160,000 on org VP44..... i did get a new spare just incase



i other thing... IMO... . 14-15 max psi. , i run the RASP and i don't go over 15 psi. and a min. of 12psi.

I have read a few things on the VP and they all said max. 14 PSI



Scott

 

[keimmmo]

I agree on the fuel pressure. I ran a pusher pump for a while... until the high pressure caused hot start problems. That is when I relocated the stock pump and installed big lines and fittings. It now idles around 14 psi. I am on only the second lift pump in 145k miles. The system sure is working for me!



Steve Keim

 

[FourBarR]

I am simpley amazed at the number of lift pumps and vp-44s that people are going thru. I just changed the oil and filter today at 410,000kms or 246000k . still running the original vp-44 and third lp. first two lp were on the engine, third one moved back by the tank. no mods to the fuel lines, still have the banjo bolts , fuel pressures are 16 idle ,14 at 70, and 12 t wot. interesting problem. sure glad we dont have the problems on the aircraft I work on , there would be lots more crashes.

 

[NoSeeUm]

I never noticed my mods don't show when I post, guess I will have to work on that, they are in my truck profile.

I you want them to show all the time, like mine, put them in you Signature.



Jim

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I am simpley amazed at the number of lift pumps and vp-44s that people are going thru. I just changed the oil and filter today at 410,000kms or 246000k . still running the original vp-44 and third lp. first two lp were on the engine, third one moved back by the tank. no mods to the fuel lines, still have the banjo bolts , fuel pressures are 16 idle ,14 at 70, and 12 t wot. interesting problem. sure glad we dont have the problems on the aircraft I work on , there would be lots more crashes.

BRAG, BRAG, BRAG! :-laf :-laf :-laf

 

[Short Stack]

I know brag,brag,brag. (lol) You have the same fuel pressure I have it runs 16 most of the time once in awhile I will see 16. 5 to 17 @ idle.

 

[ILIANBG]

Short Stack, how did the dealer replace a VP with a FASS on the truck? From what I've read, aftermarket fuel systems void the warranty? I'm curious about it and good luck with the new pump.

Ilian

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

152,500 miles as of today and original VP, I've had a Comp since somewhere around 45,000 miles and just recently moved the lift pump back to the tank area. As far as I am concerned this VP is pretty reliable, on my 93 I had to have the VE pump rebuilt at 120,000 so to me the VP is more reliable.

 

[Short Stack]

Short Stack, how did the dealer replace a VP with a FASS on the truck? From what I've read, aftermarket fuel systems void the warranty? I'm curious about it and good luck with the new pump.

Ilian

I have had two replaced with the Fass on there at two different dealers, at another different dealer they would not do it. There are ways to get around it, plus I still have the stock lift pump on for special accasions when needed.

 

[PRout]

Yeahhhh, i was one of those that was kickin' back reading all these threads about people losing their VP44's left & right. Was kinda wondering what everyone was doing wrong, 'cause mine was runnin fine at about 130k miles (+ 10% due to big tires = 140k miles).

Figured I was one of those "lucky ones" that got a good pump. .

Then I went to change the fuel filter. . Like normal. . Guess what??

NO STARTIE... :--)


Was time to whip out the Credit Card if ya knows what i mean... . :-laf

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

After a fashion, I sorta give up on trying to figure VP-44's!



I went to great lengths to religiously add fuel additive to my fuel, and provide excellent quality extra filtration - my fuel flow goes thru *4* different filters - one of which is a sub micron type.



I did have several minor PSI incidents, but never a total loss of PSI - just reduced below normal. I also have had a Comp installed, with the pierced pump wire since the truck was nearly new - but don't really hotrod the truck - the Comp is usually set on 1x1.



And mine just failed at a little over 40K miles - or appears to have failed - truck always ran great, but started getting P0216 codes. I'm carefully watching the rebuilt replacement for any irregularities that might indicate other issues that might have caused that code.



SO, I've pretty much come to the conclusion that if they're going to fail early, they will, and the careful attention MIGHT buy you a few extra months and miles - but that's about it.



Meanwhile, my brother in law with the truck nearly identical to mine does NOTHING extra for his - and has twice my mileage with absolutely no problems - go figure!

 

[ILIANBG]

Yes, it sounds like you never know if it's going to happen. Very random and unpredictable.

 

[dieseldude]

hey short stack when you no longer have a warranty I would suggest getting a hot rod pump there supposed to have upgraded electronics and diaphrams plus the give you an extra 40 to 100 hp right now my truck with 275 rv injectors and the hrvp and no other hp mods I am sitting at 292 hp at the rear tires on a dyno jet. you do the math!

 

[DSiemens]

Great. I'm about to do a fuel filter. I'm at about 148K on original vp44!. When I put guages on at 60K I had 0psi onpump. I hope it make 350K before the vp44 goes south.