Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Who has had a VP-44 failure?

[BIG BOB]

If you have had a VP-44 failure, please list the performance modifications (be specific on brand) and approximate length of time or miles on the VP-44 since the modifications.



Mine failed with about 107,000 miles. I put a Power Edge on at 57,000 miles, BDIII's about 70,000, EZ on about 80,000 miles and changed to a PE Comp at 92,000. (numbers are estimates)



I just thought it might be interesting to see the effect of the fueling boxes.

 

[TowPro]

Did the dealer warrantee it because it was only 7000 miles over the 100K.



(after reading your post again, I see you poked a hole in the wire, I guess that answered my question)



This is my only fear with my 98 but I don't have a hole poked in my wire. (well, I also keep an eye on that block). Not sure what I would do if the pump went. I relize I have the ability to replace it myself, but it would cost dam near 3 truck payments, and it would probably only brake when I am 1000 miles from home with my family and camper.



I would probably trade it in, but with nobody being able to put a 5th wheel hitch on the 2003's yet, lets it last another 10K at least!

 

[wyosteve]

Big Bob, I'm curious. Do you have a fuel pressure guage and if so, when did you install it and what kind of pressures? Did you have a dead lift pump at any time? My opinion is that the lack of fuel pressure guage leads to driving a lot of miles with a dead lift pump which in turn causes excessive wear on the VP and leads to premature failure.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"Mine failed with about 107,000 miles. I put a Power Edge on at 57,000 miles, BDIII's about 70,000, EZ on about 80,000 miles and changed to a PE Comp at 92,000. (numbers are estimates) "





HEH!



Everything but a pusher pump eh?



As the guy sez:



Ya can pay a LITTLE now, or LOTS later... "





(JEEZE, I sure hope MY VP44 doesn't fail - I'll be eating crow the rest of my LIFE!)

 

[Cobra]

Wyosteve is on the right track, I think. I talked to a guy who had a truck just like mine. He never had a fuel pressure gauge and the truck had alot of miles (can't remember how many) when Andy at ADT took a fuel pressure reading with a mechanical gauge. The reading was very low, I think about 3 psi. No way of knowing how long it had been that low. He was all set up for a vp 44 failure. IMO a fp gauge is a must for our trucks.

 

[BIG BOB]

I bought the White Obsession used in May of 2000. The Power Edge 3 went in around July or August of 2000. Gauges went in on February 18, 2001. Fuel pressure readings at time of install were with specs. 11-12# at idle, 9#'s cruising, WOT was not below 6#'s. When the lift pump started to go, I replaced it with a Mallory Comp 140. Since then I have replace the Mallory 4 times. Injection pump went for a short time without lift pump support, somewhere around 30 seconds to 2 minutes at the most each time. Never was there any long term driving without fuel pressure!



TowPro,



The truck was over the warrantied 100,000 miles when the injection pump went out. Dealer would not warranty because of mileage.



Gary,

I don't see where a pusher pump would make a difference.





I watch my fuel pressure like a Hawk, because I know that fuel pressure is the heart and life of the injection pump.



Again, this thread was started to get an idea if the fueling boxes have played a role in VP-44 failures.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

It would seem pretty reasonable that fueling boxes - or ANY situation that places more stress or operating duration on the VP44 is gonna ramp up the duty cycle and incrementally shorten it's lifespan - thus, max reasonable fuel pressure, lubricity and cooling begin to have real impact on regaining or maintaining that lifespan...



"Ain't no such thing as a "free lunch"" - someone, somehow and sometime hasta PAY for "extra" demands and stresses on hardware...

 

[Michael Hughes]

I replaced my lift pump at 68,113 after a fuel filter change. I just had my injector pump replaced at 95,779. (under warranty)



The truck is stock.



The truck ran great before replacing the lift pump and got great fuel milage. Same after changing the lift pump.



The day before the injector pump went, it was a little hard starting, but ran strong. The day it went, the truck started right up and died about 5 miles from my house when stopping at a stop sign.



Hope this is the info you are looking for?

 

[Big_Daddy_T]

Mine died at 120k with low fuel pressure from the lift pump. Im on my third pump. At 120 Id had the comp on for 20k.

 

[Mike B.]

Hi all,



I've been away from the TDR for a few years and decided to join back up.



Anyway here's the deal with my truck.

I'm still on my original VP pump with 172,000 miles on the truck.

I did my first power upgrade at around 15k miles (TST flashed ECM)

Second power upgrade at around 30K miles (275 hp injectors)

Third power upgrade at around 60K miles (hot #3 power edge)



I have gone through (2) lift pumps. The first one at around 20K miles (zero psi. just above idle)

The second lift pump was changed at cummins when I took the truck in for an idle drop when coming to a stop (or just running the engine up). The thought I had an air leak in the line but it turned out to be the lift pump. The pump was so dead that it wouldn't even fill up the filter canister. This was at around 89K miles. A few thousand miles ago I had it back to Cummins to replace the crank position sensor and had them check the lift pump out, figured it was due for another. It checked out fine.



I guess I just have a good one.





Mike



I haven't set up my signature yet so I just list the big ones



99 QC, SWB, 5 speed, TST ECM, 275s', hot PE, 13" south bend OFE, 1 3/8 " input shaft on trany (new trany and clutch 2 weeks old) 4" JRE (no muffler) DI Pricol boost and EGT gauges, cone filter (no air box) I think that's it.....

 

[HVAC]

VP44

Hello Mike B, where ya been hiding?



I still have the origional injection pump on my race truck and it's been pushed harder then any pump on the planet Guess what, I only have one lift pump! I am NOT an advocate of leaving the oem lift pump in the system. I recommend against it. I attribute my injection pump longetivity to identifying and correcting the problems with the banjo bolts and the oem lift pump.

 

[HeberRam]

HVAC..... You are the GOD!!!!!



Big Bob... . I have lost 2-VP-44's . First one at 1500 miles no mods, the second one at about 3500 miles with 275 RV injectors... . Both failures, were a result of failed lift pumps, that the dealer failed to check two times. The third time is a charm, 55,000 miles later, pusher pump and much much much bombing no problems... . As HVAC says : Fuel pressure gauge is your first line of defense. A pusher pump or aftermarket high volume replacement pump is the ticket!!!



Been there done that... I wish I was as smart as HVAC????











Steve

 

[HVAC]

Heber Ram

You will have to settle for "better looking" Heber Ram

 

[Mike B.]

Howdy HVAC.

I've been hiding out in Calvert county MD working my but off.



So, how may miles do you have on your OEM pump?



When the last lift pump was replaced I had been driving it for at least two weeks(150 mi. per day) with it have no psi at all. It wasn't until I had time to take it to Cummins to have it checked out that I knew it was dead. Like I said it was so dead that it couldn't even push fuel up to the filter housing.

The funny thing was (or not so funny) that it showed no llack of power at WOT. Still making 40# of boost and still burning the tires in 4th. around a turn. I was with the tech when he 1st test drove it. His faced turned white as a sheet when it broke the tires loose in 3rd when the boost came up. He didn't believe me when I told him it would.



I know everybody says it's the lift pumps taking out the VP and I'm some do. Something else has to be going on when the same people are loosing multiple pumps. Might be fuel who knows but I really think it's more than just weak lift pumps. My poor truck has been running with at this power level for well over the past 100,000 miles. Why is my pump still alive and kicking



I guess I should just count my blessings and STFU.

 

[RobbyRam]

Re: VP44

Hey HVAC,

We have several people camping at Big Sur over Thanksgiving Weekend. Why don't you come on by?

Bob from Sacramento.

 

[RobbyRam]

Re: Heber Ram

HVAC, We're coming to 'Big Sur' Thanksgiving Weekend to camp.

Several couples will be here. If you can make it, we would love to connect with you.

Bob in Sacramento

 

[jjdiesel]

timely thread

Mine just died yesterday! 70k on the clock. Power Edge "hot" fueling box, EZ, DDII's, 4" exhaust, South Bend clutch. Lift pump replaced once, still good as of yesterday but injection pump went anyway. Was running fine, all of a sudden just wouldn not start... that was all she wrote. Oh well... knew it was coming one of these days.