Would you?

[BoeingDiesel]

It's time to replace the tappet cover gasket as it's dripping quite a bit, so the question is, keeping in mind the existing VP has got about 120,000 miles on it and since it has to be removed to install the new gasket would you replace the IP while you're there? Obviously I'll have a new cam sensor put in but I'm a little torn on whether to drop the dime on a new VP. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated...thanks

 

[DavidC]

Somewhere in the factory service manual I read " The Cam sensor for 1999 is for diagnostics and does not effect engine operation". That said mine is still the original, is it bad ?, don't have a clue. I have replaced the crank sensor tho. Some state after replacing the VP their mileage increased and somewhere around here is a post with a brand new VP running worse than the old pump. Some others chimed in with the same problem and assumed it is a VP computer problem. Never heard of a fix. Just my opinion if the VP is not giving problems leave it alone. I seem to feel real good as I just saved you 1-2k.

Dave

 

[DavidC]

Found that cam sensor statement, took a little time. Maybe it is used for something but states not fuel, that whole statement is confusing.

The sync signal generator detects a machined hole
on the rear face of the camshaft drive gear. The signal
is used to verify the position of the #1 cylinder
during engine operation.
When the leading edge of the machined hole enters
the tip of the CMP, the interruption of magnetic field
causes the voltage to switch high resulting in a signal
of approximately 5 volts.
When the trailing edge of the machined hole leaves
the tip of the CMP, the change of the magnetic field
causes the voltage to switch low to 0 volts.
The CMP is located below the fuel injection pump
(Fig. 7). It is attached to the back of the timing gear
cover housing.
The CMP is not used for any control of fuel system.
It is used only for diagnostic purposes.

Dave

 

[JR]

If it ain't broke don't fix it .

120k on a 20 year old truck, how many miles do you plan on putting on in the next several years. If milage and power is on par I'd leave it well alone...but thats just me.

 

[NIsaacs]

If it ain't broke don't fix it .

120k on a 20 year old truck, how many miles do you plan on putting on in the next several years. If milage and power is on par I'd leave it well alone...but thats just me.

I agree, 316k on my '01 oem pump.

Nick

 

[BoeingDiesel]

Thanks guys, I do appreciate the feedback. I'm not going to replace the IP and will deal with that when it happens...Best to all

 

[BoeingDiesel]

Aside from the question of replacing the IP I decided to do the tappet gasket R&R myself this weekend. What a freakin' PITA it was. Ya know, when you do something for the first time you're in that learning curve and now I know some of the short cuts in doing this. I think I can say I will never get that deep into a repair like this again and had it not been for the help of my youngest who is on his way to being a Jet A&P I think I might just have said, "the heck with it," had it towed to Cummins in Irvine.

 

[DavidC]

I have read with the few that have done it that it is not really hard but time intensive. When/if mine needs to be done I think the outsource may happen. At 64 I am not to sure I could handle it as the triple neck fusion has limited my abilities to some extent. May be good to list your sequence with available short cuts tho.

Dave