Good evening guys! 

I went to go start my truck this morning it was about -4*C and it just cranked and cranked and cranked. Plugged in a code reader and got the code P0253 and the tpyical overboost code from the edge comp. Once the codes cleared, i turned the key back off, waited a couple few minutes, then attempted to start the truck again, started right away like nothing happened. let it idle for a couple minutes then hit the exhaust brake and let it idle for about 10 minutes, then shut it off and carried on my day driving my other truck as i had to be at the airport to leave for work. Side note, it would have very seldomly like once a month if that for the past 3 or 4 months of random 5 second crank times when cold before it would start when it normally would fire within the first crank or two. 

Now a little back ground on the truck. It has just shy of 426000km on it, i do not know the last time or if the vp has ever been replaced. 
Has what i was told were 75hp DDP injectors, edge comp w/wire tap, Fass 150, Hx35/40. It has had these for the last 125000km that i have owned the truck, and the wire taped edge comp and the fass 150 even longer, id do a rough guess of at least an extra 80000 to 100000km ontop of the 125000 i have put on it. 

And from what i have searched so far and continue to search, but i have found either useless threads, or mixed opinions/facts that contradict other threads that i have read and that have more than one code pertaining to the VP.

 I guess what i am asking is, has my VP finally crapped the bed, or very early signs of it going on its way out?

Thanks in advance for any opinions/advice. 

Edit: Fuel pressure is a steady 15 to16 psi idle/light cruise, with the comp off, it is 13-14 WOT and with the comp on it ranges from 11 to 13 psi WOT depending on what setting it is on. It has never bucked or surged with it either on or off. I also run about 1oz/gal 2 stroke/diesel mix for the last 23000km steady and before that it was every other tank because i would forget to add and be already down 1/3 tank by time i remembered haha. 

Edited February 6, 20169 yr by Justin Spring

Instead of starting a new post on the P0253 code I'll ask here.

 

I noticed this morning on my way to work check engine light on, pulled codes I have a P0253. Does this for sure mean VP44 is dying (Blue chip web site and others seem to say yep)? If so any wild guess as to how long in might last, this truck is my only source of transportation. Fuel pressure at idle 18, wot 15.

 

In conjunction with the P0253 code the following symptoms have been happening for some time with no code(s) generated until today

 

1) Intermittent rough idle, but odd thing is happens only when running for a bit with ac on, when turn ac off idles ruff, turn ac back on or turn engine off restart idle is fine, odd

 

2) I notice this summer I'm not generating the boost I use to and loosing power on the high end, I notice this pulling RV uphill this summer, I'm not getting past 30 boost (with edge on 4, I keep on 4 all time, 5 seems to just fuel to much). Lost speed going up a hill, normally I can gain or maintain with no issues. I thought this a boost leak, could this be another sign VP44 dying.

 

As final note the VP44 has about 170k miles on it, was replaced under warranty around 60k. I am using the BD Diesel Stealth Cover for VP44 Injector Pump, could that cause an issue (i'm thinking no).

 

Also in this post there was mention of an alternator, causing P0253, did I understand that correctly? Alternator was replaced 2-3 years ago, should I have alternator tested?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

It is always a good idea to get your alternator tested from time to time as they are VERY prone to AC noise.  

 

 

As for the code,  I would start by cleaning and using dielecttric grease on EVERY plug under the hood.  Clean all your grounds and just do a once over.   However it is very likely the VP is dying, how long?  No one can know.  

Nick hit the nail on the head.

So VP44 dying, my budget dying also now.

 

I plan to keep this truck for very long time, who would this group recommend for replacement VP44?

 

I have been looking at the Blue Chip stuff they are $$$, and I've seen VP44 on rock auto amazon. 

 

One other question injectors are still stock and have about 240k on them, thoughts on replacing them cause they are old and might fail soon as well?

 

Thanks in advance.

Edited December 7, 20168 yr by tonyjsan
forgot question

Skip blue chip.  

 

I would guess that 580 of the vp's come from the same 5 or 6 builders in the country.  

 

I would recommend @dieselautopower for the VP44.  They tend to be the cheapest out there and offer a good warranty.  

'

http://dieselautopower.com/bosch-027-vp44-fuel-injection-pump-standard-output-235hp-wire-tap-voids-2-year-warranty-vp44027/

 

2 year warranty

Vulcan performance is another good provider of VP44 as well. I also agree DAP is also good. I know both using industrial injection which is a certified Bosch rebuilder with Bosch 815 test stand for calibration. Sad to say Blue Chip does not have a calibration stand.

thanks for sure

 

Am I understanding this correctly the stealth cover will void the warranty, as that's considered a wire tap?

 

 

 

Yes it is

 

DAP also offers a Wiretap warranty pump that is for 1 year.  

 

My suggestion would be to buy the the cheapest VP44 with a warranty from either of them, leave the stealth cover off for at least a month and drive the truck HARD in that time period.  Typically issues with rebuilt vp44's will show themselves in that time.  If it lasts that first month of two then tap the pump again if you want the power back.  

 

I don't really believe tapping the pump really shortens the lifespan of the vp44, but it is an easy out for the builders. Typical failures are from lead free soldier and bad fuel pressure.

Edited December 7, 20168 yr by Me78569

I changed my VP44 out in February and got one from DAP.  Pay attention to the pump that you have and the pump that you buy.  If you buy an HO IP and have a SO on your truck you may not get your core charge refunded.  To get that core charge you need to turn in the same flavor that you ordered. 

 

I have yet to put my stealth cover back on, to be honest it does make me a little nervous to void that warranty.  I bought the IP with the 2 year warranty and I may not put it back on until after my warranty is up. 

21 minutes ago, Me78569 said:

Typical failures are from lead free soldier and bad fuel pressure.

 

... also excessive AC noise, poor lubricity from excessive use if injector cleaners and cetane boosters, poor quality filters letting water and debris in the system, home brew biodiesel issues, etc. The list goes on...

2 minutes ago, Mopar1973Man said:

 

... also excessive AC noise, poor lubricity from excessive use if injector cleaners and cetane boosters, poor quality filters letting water and debris in the system, home brew biodiesel issues, etc. The list goes on...

Point being that wiretap is not something I see as a pump killer.    would you agree mike?

 

 

If a newly rebuilt pump is going to have issues it will typically happen sooner than later.  

Edited December 7, 20168 yr by Me78569

I wasn't/am worried about the wire tap messing up the VP, just voiding the warranty.  If I put the stealth plate on it would be easy for the rebuilder to tell that the IP's cover had been off and they could deduce that it had been tapped.  If someone taps the wire harness going to the VP44 how could a rebuilder tell that it had been tapped?  Can they tell?

2 minutes ago, Me78569 said:

Point being that wiretap is not something I see as a pump killer.    would you agree mike?

 

Maybe in the early years when modules when being developed and the technology was new. Yeah there was several buggy units that could do damaged because we were nothing more than beta testers back then. Technology and information has been vastly expanded and failure rate of wire tapping is nearly zero percent. Today there is better designs of modules now. If wire tapping creates stress and failures boy there would be a entire performance crowd today spend large amounts of money on replacements. Rather strange I'm on my way to 300k miles on this pump with it being tapped for 10 years with a Edge Comp and now Quadzilla... 

 

Nope... I do NOT see wire tapping as a pump killer... But excellent way for pump builder to get out of warranty or sell a wire tap warranty for much more.

1 minute ago, Hawkez said:

If someone taps the wire harness going to the VP44 how could a rebuilder tell that it had been tapped?

 

There is a notch in the insulation of the fuel solenoid. As for the stealth plate there will be a hole in the PSG where the screw tapped the wire.

Wish I had this thread a few years ago when I had to replace my VP. I paid the Blue Chip premium cause I thought his would last longest, and if it died again it was cheaper to repair...