Yesterday while on my way home from out of town, I had just finished filling up, the engine sounded "odd", louder and with a rattle. It sounded like my older Ford Diesel when started cold with the cold timing advance engaged. About 10 miles down the road I lost most power, felt like I had maybe 20% throttle available and the CEL came on. I pulled off but couldn't pull a code. It felt fine at low speed so I reset the CEL and continued on but the problem returned after a few miles on the freeway. I was eventually able to pull a P0216 code and I've read up on what that usually means. Ended up limping home at 45mph taking back roads when possible. I thought it could have been bad fuel but my last stop was at a high volume station and there really wasn't any water in the separator.

1. Do you folks agree that it's probably new VP44 time?

2. Does this look like a good choice? https://www.dieselautopower.com/bosch-027-vp44-fuel-injection-pump-standard-output-235hp-wire-tap-ok-1-year-warranty-vp44027tap-13584

2 hours ago, RayNAz said:

Do you folks agree that it's probably new VP44 time?

Yes, that is one of the VP44 death codes.

2 hours ago, RayNAz said:

Does this look like a good choice?

Yes, you can't go wrong with Diesel Auto Power (DAP).

2 hours ago, RayNAz said:

Do you folks agree that it's probably new VP44 time?

Yes, it is likely. I would verify that you have good lift pump flow, though.

The P2016 code is usually a timing related code and will de-rate the engine power until it corrects itself. The advanced timing that you heard at the fueling station triggered the engine de-rate and set the code.

I would not purchase the VP44 that you are asking about at Diesel Auto Power. That pump comes with a re-manufactured PSG and it is not calibrated to the pump using the Bosch 815 test stand (about a 4 hour test, I think).

I believe DAP does sell a more expensive model with a new PSG that is calibrated to the pump. Maybe @Mopar1973Man can verify.

You are probably okay to continue to drive the truck if you need to - you can probably change your driving techniques for the interim which will help avoid the engine de-rate.

I had the same symptoms on my truck about 20 years ago. I learned how to drive the truck to avoid the engine de-rate. I drove it for another year (20,000 miles) before I had the VP44 pump replaced under warranty at the time.

• John

Edited May 2May 2 by Tractorman

Thanks Tractorman.

Fuel pressure is good. I added a pressure gauge when I did the lift pump a few years ago and it still idles at around 22psi and is at around 18psi on the freeway.

Re new/reman PSC it looks like about a $500 difference. I also notice that some listings on that site say that a wire mod voids the warranty and some say it's okay (once again for more money). Do you think there is any physical/electronic difference between those 2 or are they just pricing in the likelihood of a warranty claim? I'm guessing the latter but just asking.

Re: Driving style. As far as I could tell, about all I could do to keep it out of limp mode was to keep my speed under 55. Unfortunately I have to get up on the freeway in order to go pretty much anywhere.

4 hours ago, RayNAz said:

Re new/reman PSC it looks like about a $500 difference. I also notice that some listings on that site say that a wire mod voids the warranty and some say it's okay (once again for more money). Do you think there is any physical/electronic difference between those 2 or are they just pricing in the likelihood of a warranty claim?

I can't answer that particular question. Personally, I would be looking for three things with a re-manufactured VP44 injection pump.

1. a new PSG

2. latest updates through an authorized Bosch rebuilder

3. the VP44 injection pump to be rigorously tested by an authorized Bosch rebuilder, using the Bosch 815 test stand

If the pump supplier cannot confirm these three things, then I would move on to another supplier.

When it comes time to replace my replaced VP44, I will be following my own advice. By the way, my replacement VP44 has now logged over 310,000 miles.

• John