Well, finally got the truck running back normal again and was going to take it out in the countryside to some property I have with a friend about 75 miles away from everything.

Got the truck loaded up and ready to go and as the fuel pressure was just a few pounds low recently thought I would adjust it up a bit and did so in the driveway before leaving. It always runs a good 16-17 psi at idle, and down to a low of 12-13 at WOT. Steady running at 14-15 psi which is fine with me.

Got on the road and headed out in the boonies early this morning. About 15 miles out noticed that the fuel pressure was down again, sometimes even hitting 10 or less, which then triggered the alarm on the Edge. Stopped on the side of the road and adjusted the fuel pressure on the Raptor back up to 18-20. Drove another 3-4 miles and it started doing it again.

Now I am not one to do silly things like pee on electric fences and the like, so when something like this happens three times in a row, its time to take a hard look at whats going on and make a decision. Yep, I headed back into town because where I was is in the middle of absolute no-where and tow trucks are a long ways away.

Good choice as within 5 miles the fuel pressure was not only below 10, it was down to 3-4 psi at times. Another couple of miles and it was at ZERO... was on the hiway by then going 50 in the slow lane with my flashers on. Made it to the turn-off and truck was then bucking from time to time. Idle speed and sound was fine but sure was down on power. You could tell that the engine was not happy.

Last turn onto the main road to my house and I was down to 2-3 cylinders and not sure I would make it, but Mr. Cummins builds a strong engine and we chugged to the house like this. Smelled some difficult smells coming from the engine compartment and guessing that the VP was not happy with no cooling fuel and has signaled that its time that I learn how to change a VP.

Anyone ever had anything like this happen? The Raptor 100 is less than two years old and until this time been very reliable. I have a call into PF/Raptor support but no return call yet... Any suggestions on which VP to get and sources? I am looking for a good price but would rather have one with a new or upgraded circuit board on the pump if possible.

Thx, Joe

--- Update to the previous post...

Well, its been a difficult and wasted morning for the most part.

Called Pure Flow to get raptor support and they told me that I had to call their Indiana facility. Called there and was shuttled to someone's number and it went direct to voice mail. Left my number and 2.5 hours Kyle finally calls me back.

What a JERK! I had bought this Raptor 100 in October of 2009 from Vulcan Performance. First pump I received was dead out of the box so I called Vulcan and they shuttled me to PF who was at that time still producing product in Missouri. They took a week to get me a new replacement pump as they did not any gears left to make new pumps... Finally when they got a new one made they shipped it overnight on their nickle and its been running fine since that time. Evidently now production has shifted to Indiana and if you have a newer model product you have to go there. Older stuff are still supported by the Missouri office... thank God.

Well, Kyle could care less about customer service but sure wanted to know the pump number and if I had sent the warranty card in, which I had done. Well he could not find the warranty info in his computer then told me "you must have bought this before Nov/Dec of 2009" so while I have 98% of all listings from this time frame, if you are not in my computer you get NO warranty!" I guess customers from anytime before fall of 2009 are worthless to him, or he sure treats them like this!

Hmm, thats a good way to ____ a customer off! Now we are responsible for the Post Office getting the warranty cards to them as well I guess! That 2% of the PF customers that he mentions is not in his computer just gets to pound sand from the way he acts.

I called the Pure Flow office in Missouri back and talked with Diane, who found my info in her computer right away. No questions asked, she was wonderful to work with and I have either a 6 year or unlimited warranty, depending on something. I could care less what it is, I bought the pump about 2.5 years ago so its well within both time periods and covered. She has a replacement pump coming out to me this afternoon and will change it next week once it arrives.

Now for the next bit of good news. The system threw a Po216 code on the way home, but considering that the Edge was showing ZERO fuel pressure thats not surprising. Anyone feel that after I put a new raptor in the system that the VP is going to be worth a damm or reliable enough to trust on the road?

Dave,Thanks and yep, ran the adjuster screw all the way to the left (counterclockwise, which should be lowest pressure) and to the right (clockwise, high pressure) and no change what-so ever...

Sounds like its time to call AD.

Tried and it went to voice mail. Guessing they are at lunch so waiting an hour...

Joe

--- Update to the previous post...

Well, three hours later and still no return call from Pure Flow.

Took the truck on some errands and it drove just fine. This is with the original VP on it and with 40 psi pressure.

While driving the pressure varies but usually around 37 to 39 or so, and WOT goes down to 32 but otherwise runs fine.

Anyone know if its ok to keep driving like this? Am going to replace the VP anyway but not today. Its 112 degrees today and just too damm hot to be out there in the sun...

Thx, Joe

What kind of pressure gauge do you have, mechanical or electric? How is it connected to the fuel system? Could be your gauge is toasted form VP pulses. Here is a quick read. http://articles.mopar1973man.com/general-cummins/36-fuel-system/34-fuel-pressure-gauge-and-water-hammer-effects When mine went it just pegged out at 30# and did not move until I cut the egine off.

An "Edge w/Attitude" system is what I am using for fuel pressure along with other readings.Had it a couple of years and always worked fine and was accurate as far as I know.

Tried and it went to voice mail. Guessing they are at lunch so waiting an hour...

Joe

--- Update to the previous post...

Well, three hours later and still no return call from Pure Flow.

Took the truck on some errands and it drove just fine. This is with the original VP on it and with 40 psi pressure.

While driving the pressure varies but usually around 37 to 39 or so, and WOT goes down to 32 but otherwise runs fine.

Anyone know if its ok to keep driving like this? Am going to replace the VP anyway but not today. Its 112 degrees today and just too damm hot to be out there in the sun...

Thx, Joe

Why would you change the vp if it's still working? Before I learned what I did here about fuel pressure I was driving around with near 0 psi. When the lift pump crater'd all together I drove it an hour home and it was bucking the whole way and sometimes only had power to go about 40. That was almost 2 years ago and my vp hasn't missed a beat yet.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I was lucky. When my OEM lift pump went out... I stopped suddenly... but the VP44 has survived it.

Ted, What concerned me enough to get a new one (its here right now) was the smell that the current VP was making after I got the truck home and shut it down. Strong electrical smell along with "I am hot and not happy with what you are doing to me" smell. If you have ever had any electronics really hot you know the smell and thats what I had, so lost confidence in the unit on the engine right now and went ahead and ordered a new one to swap out. Have talked with several injector pump people and the biggest thing that they stress is that the VP44 does not like heat cycles, and heating them up does wonders to the circuit board on the pump. Evidently thats one of the biggest things that cause the pump to stop working, not a problem with the internal guts of the pump.I would rather spend the $1000 and get a good overhauled unit and swap it out right now than get stuck by the side of the road somewhere in the near future. If I am wrong then at least I did the best I could to get a reliable situation. Part of the problem is that I am a aircraft mechanic and we do not have the option of re-doing things most of the time, it simply has to be correct the first time it goes out, and that thinking extends to my cars even though they never take off! :)Thx, Joe

Ya I think you made the right choice with smells like that coming from the pump! I guess I was mighty lucky mine survived. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk