I put a poll in CF, so I could get maximum response about our VP44s. Any ways a subscriber from Texas made this claim: "Hey give it a try. I am going to keep using the stock pumps though. They have worked for me so far! I have changed it out like 4 times now. But I just changed it when they quit filling the filter housing up during fuel filter changes. I need to get a gauge though." :rolleyes: So go to the poll and see if cold weather has any correlation because of poor fuel delivery, and the condensation that goes with it. http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/98-5-02-powertrain/239995-vp44-failures-north-vs-south.html

You would think the Northerners would have more trouble since they are the ones dumping in antigel and things that dilute the lube content. Appears to be the general consensus too

What about the grid heater robbing voltage from the electronics and the lift pump?

Hmm, never thought of that. Do you notice a drop in pressure each time the grids cycle?

What about the grid heater robbing voltage from the electronics and the lift pump?

No problem here so it drops from 17.5 to 16.5 PSI when the grid heater hit... The noly time the electronic is a issues is if the voltage falls below 8 Volts... I'm still in the 11-12 Volt range on my weakest voltage. My batteries are even stock orignals that are 8 years old now... No problem here now because of the anti-gel package in the fuel I tend to keep using the 2 cycle oil...

My volts are at 11.7 at first start, and quickly go to 14 within 15 seconds. I was concerned about voltage drop in the electronics, more then the pump. Not worried about the VP44 over heating when 1st started. I guess we need to give the poll a week, to get enough responses. Only 5 Southern votes so far.

I voted in your poll and posted on CF. Just thought I would post here also.I live in south Texas and have never had a VP44 failure. I bought my truck September 1, 2001 with 12 miles on the clock. I now have 205,483 miles on her. First stock lift pump replaced at 127,000 miles (don't know how long it was out). Installed Airdog at 192,000 miles. Started 2 stroke diet at 198,000 miles. Still going strong. (runs a 15.1 second quarter mile!)I know my story is not typical, but I don't mind bragging!

sup david, good to see ya here :thumbup2:and i voted and responded over there.....

sup david, good to see ya here and i voted and responded over there.....

CJ I can always be found where there is good information to be had

good to know man....you need to come to otto's the 20th...so i can see what ya wound up doin w/ the gauges and pod ya bought off me

my fp drops 4-5 psi when grids hit. snaps right back up. startled me first time i saw that so i turned on lights to make sure i wasn't seeing things, they dimmed too when grids cycled.

I only get 1 PSI drop, while the grids cycle, but I am noticing the southern trucks have much better luck with the OE lift pump.

Typical grid heater load... The grid heater suck out 190 Amps worth of power and the alternator is only 120 Amps typically so it tends to dim and discharge the system... I'm like Flman just about a 1 PSI drop...

I got 2 big arse truck batteries, they are either 1300 or 1500 CCA Each, I forget, but I think the OE was 1100 CCA each.

Typical grid heater load... The grid heater suck out 190 Amps worth of power and the alternator is only 120 Amps typically so it tends to dim and discharge the system... I'm like Flman just about a 1 PSI drop...

my alt. is the upgraded 160 and fl, you got some big damn batteries man...our stockers are like 700 each i think

Mine only drops 1 psi as well. a 4-5 psi drop seems like too much. Are you running an electric gauge? If so I would check your wiring. Something is wrong for that type of a pressure drop.

By his sig, I would assume the OP is running the stocker pump? Maybe he should get a voltage check at first start with a multi meter at the batteries? I am not sure if the Ram has a decent gauge in dash or not. Mine has an info center, not the greatest but it gives accurate LCD voltage measurements, hours run times, ABS and Engine DTCs.

yeah its electric, it drops from 21-22 down to 15-16. i think my alt might be on it's way out cause my batteries were froze around christmas time.

I never realized fuel pressure drops with the grid heaters on. It certainly make sense that an electric pump would have less output at a lower voltage. My pressure is always at 15.5 psi at idle whether the grid heaters are on or not. I'm sure there is a drop in pump output pressure but my bypass valve always keeps fuel system pressure at 15.5. I'm really surprised the AirDog's have any drop in pressure. Don't they use a similar spring regulator to control pressure?

Off topic I do live in Wisconsin and often see negative temps through out the winter and am yet to have a problem with my stock lift pump which has been replaced once and to my knowledge the vp44 is original i got the truck at 120,000 and acording to the dodge dealer the lift pump was just replaced and the vp was original I just started the two stroke oil diet about 10-15 thousand ago and my two questions are how long do i have before they dump and aparently this is unusual that they last this long? Im just starting the proccess of instaling my fuel pressure gauge so i'll post again since im curious of my actual pressure and the drop I get when my heaters cycle with the stock lift pump...

Off topic I do live in Wisconsin and often see negative temps through out the winter and am yet to have a problem with my stock lift pump which has been replaced once and to my knowledge the vp44 is original i got the truck at 120,000 and acording to the dodge dealer the lift pump was just replaced and the vp was original I just started the two stroke oil diet about 10-15 thousand ago and my two questions are how long do i have before they dump and aparently this is unusual that they last this long? Im just starting the proccess of instaling my fuel pressure gauge so i'll post again since im curious of my actual pressure and the drop I get when my heaters cycle with the stock lift pump...

120,000k is a long time but it's not the VP that doesn't last it's the lift pump that doesn't, which you already went through one. If you can catch it in time, you replace the lift pump and the VP doesn't know the difference, the VP's go out when you continue driving with low pressure and it gets hot and probably doesn't have much lube so it dies on you. They will last inevitably, as long as they have sufficient cooling and lubrication in the fuel. Getting a good lift pump ensures this along with the 2 stroke thing.