Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) What is going on with my truck??? HELP!

[PC12Driver]

I'd suggest changing one thing at a time. If you reset the apps and turned off the Comp and the problem went away you won't know which one was the culprit. Since you reset the apps I'd leave the box on unless it stumbles again. Then try turning off the Comp.

 

[Clmsnow]

I did just that. I leftthe box on to see what happened. So far no problems... HOWEVER, I am noticing something very interesting. When I was getting on the freeway tonight I saw a nice looking Ford get on that looked to have some mods. Soooooooooo, I turned the box up to 5x5. When I got on it to pass him I noticed it didn't seem quite as fast as normal and there was not nearly as much smoke. I did this a few times. Boost levels were a little low, as were EGT's. So for giggles, I turned it down to 3x4. When I stepped on it I noticed more smoke then 5x5..... which is usually not the case. Power seemed about the same... boost was just a little lower then 5x5 as was EGT's The 5x5 setting was faster on top... but what drew my interest was that there was not nearly as much smoke on 5x5 when I stepped on it. I even tried to get it to smoke. Some smoke came about, but more out of 3x4. What gives?? This Comp box is fairly new, and has the blue chip pump plate/cover. Any ideas?? I'll try it more tomorrow and play with sublevels to see what happens.

 

[nps]

Clmsnow - Hopefully the APPS will work, but the loss of 5x5 power may suggest that your VP is tapped out on fuel delivery and is heading south.

 

[Clmsnow]

Why more smoke on a lower sublevel setting?? It has always been the opposite. Could the Comp box be screwed up? Also, I heard that the Blue Chip pump cover could make the pump get hotter by not allowing the heat to disipate as well. Is this true??? I have over 100K miles... . is this cover neccessary??

 

[nps]

Why more smoke on a lower sublevel setting?? It has always been the opposite. Could the Comp box be screwed up?

Yes - and you can always pull it and send it to Edge to be tested - think they'll do it for free.



Why more smoke on a sub level - maybe the 5x5 is asking for more than what the VP can deliver and instead of doing as good as it can, the VP is just giving up. Depends on exactly what may (or may not) be failing inside of it.



Just expect the worst, pray for the best, and isolate the problem. The good news so far is no codes - but that isn't a 100% guarantee either. Just keep checking them also.

 

[Clmsnow]

I called Blue Chip and they told me that it's not too uncommon for the wires on their pump cover/plate to loosen in the beginning. They recommended getting back into the plate cover and re-tightening the screws. They thought that may be the problem.

 

[Clmsnow]

I went ahead and did like Blue Chip said and double checked all the connections and tightened them up. Well sure enough, on 5x5 I was leaving a dark cloud of smoke again and she was off and running... . and might I say, better then she has in a long time, if not ever. Even managed to pull the fuel pressure down another 4psi when I stayed in it(6-7psi). Not that I want to do that, but it does tell me something on the Comp box was not working properly. On 5x5 I hit 1335* EGT and 38. 8psi boost on a hard pull tonight; the truck is running real strong; between this and resetting the wastegate I am prety happy with it. AND... . it has not lost power intermittently on me again either since resetting the APPS. So, I am crossing my fingers, but I think I may have got it taken care of. Someone did mention that if the VP44 was going bad it would do it most of the time and progressively get worse; can't say that is happening with me. My problem happened 2 times, and within 2 days of each other. Since restting the APPS, it has been a few days without problems. Anyone wanna race

 

[PC12Driver]

Sweeet! Good to hear ya got it working. Those are some really good temps for the power you're putting down.



It's a good feeling when you have everything dialed in, isn't it?