The symptoms... for the last couple weeks I thought i noticed my top end power was getting somewhat weaker and idle was fluctuating ever so slightly. I just dismissed the issue as never being satisfied with the power I've got and just looking for an excuse to get more!. . The engine still ran smooth however, mileage was normal, and it fired up first crank hot or cold as always. Headed for town today and my engine started falling flat on its face. Feels like someone kinked my fuel line like a garden hose and i'd say I have about 20% of my normal power now. Limped home and visually checked all fuel lines etc. and nothings amiss. What are the telltale signs of injector pump failure??. I realize this could be a lift pump or fuel delivery problem and I plan on checking fuel pressure but I have the sinking feeling the VE's goin' south. It is a high miler with alot of recent mods done to it.


P.S. fuel filter is 2 months old, I always run additive and try to make sure I only get clean premium fuel. Thanks as always for the help guys.

 

I would change the lift pump before you panic. I'd change the filter first though, you could get a cruddy batch of fuel from anywhere.

 

I see you are in BC, if you need your pump rebuilt(or other parts) call Rob at Interior Diesel. (250)833-9904. He is just in the process of setting a shop up in White Lake(near Salmon Arm). He specializes in Dodge Diesel performance and rebuilt my pump and injectors last summer. Great to deal with. My company just sent him a pump for 3306 CAT and he had it back to us in a week for way less than Finning wanted.

 

Just installed a new lift pump and fuel filter. a good amount of fuel was in the lift pump and the line into the lift pump seemed well primed. I held the pump in my hand and when i actuated it it seemed to suck like a hoover. I then changed my filter and got that sinking feeling when i realized it was full of clean fuel. Seems like the only places left to check are forward of the fuel filter $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Still the same problem just falls completely flat after about half throttle, won't rev any higher than about 1700-2000 RPM on my tach. Under load (driving) it will barely pull 3rd gear and even in neutral no load when I feed coals she just cuts out. Has anyone experienced an injector pump failure that I can compare this with??, does anyone have any other ideas as to the problem .Thanks to wanna for the reply and thanks to clayh as well........I just may be calling that rob dude very shortly.




Mad Mikey.

 

When Rob rebuilt my pump he explained that there are 2 springs in it that commonly break on high milage units. I'm just speculating but if one just broke it may let the engine still run but not develop full power. I would not run it anymore till you figure it out. Apparently if the second spring breaks all the pieces inside can pile up and really damage the internals and double the cost of rebuild.

Call Rob and describe to him what's going on. I'm sure he will have some ideas. Tell him Clay from Calgary says HI! He is just a one man operation at this point so if you get the ansewering machine he is probably working in the shop. Leave a message and he'll get back to you.

 

Shut down solenoid wires getting loose?

 

Have you checked volume from the lift pump, you could have a crack on the suction side somewhere or the screen in the tank could be plugged. Also your exhaust could be plugged or bent, intake could have sucked up a plastic bag. Turbo could be stuck. Do you get any smoke?

 

Always test before replacing. Rig up a guage on the fuel line between the filter and the pump and monitor it while driving. Check the throttle linkage to make sure the throttle goes wide open. If your fuel pressure is above 10 psi and the throttle is WOT, then rebuild the injector pump. You don't mention smoke but make sure that the turbo is working and not restricted. Is the engine making a lot of noise when it runs? Hard to start? What year is it? What kind of fuel is in it? Could there be some gas mixed in it? What is the temp outside? If it is below -10F maybe gelling. Does the eng sound like it is missing?

 

Hey guys, hope you and your trucks are having a better weekend than I . Here's the update. I checked the intake for restrictions and all's clear. Turbo seems to be spooling as normal, no crazy noises coming from the turbo or the engine. The throttle linkage has full travel.

Now for the details. When the engine is unloaded (meaning sitting in neutral) and I floor the throttle it revs as normal. Then after a few seconds of 2800-3000RPM (close to full throttle) the engine starts to miss and trail off, losing about 1500 RPM and SPEWING WHITISH BLUE SMOKE. And when I say smoke I mean tons of it!!. The truck idles smooth, and starts on first crank as always. I will have the fuel pressure checked by tommorow, but I am fairly confident I will get a strong reading. Temperature here on the wet coast is above freezing, fuel is clean etc. One of my previous posts explains how I replaced the lift pump and what the symptoms are when I drive the truck.
I want to thank everyone again for there help. I hope I'm getting closer to nailing it.


Mad Mikey.

 

the high smoke volume should indicate plenty of fuel, lack of air (I could be wrong, but hate for you to spend $$$ on a pump and then have to spend $$$ on a turbo Hopefully there is an air restriction somewhere, but sounds like you have looked for that

There could also be an improper function in the pump causing injection timing problem i.e. broken spring, that could cause the smoke (pumping fuel 'off-cycle')

janb

 

You are running out of fuel to the high pressure part fo the injection pump. The VE uses internal fuel pressure to regulate injection timing -- when the internal pump pressure drops, the timing retards, generating large quantities of blue smoke. That you can get up to the governor at all indicates that the high pressure & distribution part of the pump are most likely working properly.

There is a "last chance" screen on the fuel intake of the injection pump that could be clogged. I haven't ever taken mine apart there, though, so I can't steer you through that. It is remotely possible that there is some problem with the vane feed pump or pressure relief circuit in the injection pump (lower pressure first part of the injection pump), but that seems unlikely to me. I would really thoroughly check on the feed into the pump to make sure that is not the problem -- your symptoms are classic of a restricted fuel supply.

Good luck, and let us know what you find.

Alec

It sure sounds to me as though all of the expensive parts of the pump are working properly . . .

 

Any updates on this? Mines doing just about the same thing.

 

Don't get too worked up if you need your pump rebuilt. It usually runs about 500-750 dollars max at a local pump shop. Mine had similar symptoms and it cost 600 to rebuild. Had a broke spring in mine. Hell if it goes another 280k miles before the next rebuild, I'll be ecstatic.

Look at it this way, a pump rebuild costs about what a single payment on a new truck costs.

 

On the top front of the pump there is a fuel pressure regulator that has a few orings on it. A few of these orings have failed and caused leaks, it is possible that you have an oring leaking on it that is causing a drop in fuel pressure internally in the pump but not leaking externally??? This new fuel is wreaking havic on the older pumps.

 

from the sounds of it the advance is hanging up or you have some real bad fuel. the heavy smoke could timing or a restriction.
I have built hundreds of VE pumps and am a real Bosch tool slinger.
I can suggest a few places to get a pump rebuilt or you can send it to my shop.
I can tel youl where not to buy a pump NOT TO BUY unless you want more problems. there is a guy on ebay selling cheap but his stuff is real JUNK
not to specs sometimes not even rebuilt just painted and I cam prove it

That is diesel care & performance in memphis tn BAD PUMPS