New to the 24 valve buiness. I have had a couple 12 valve dodge trucks but never a 24 valve. Can you all educate me on some pros and cons of the 24 valve engine's reliability and fuel mileage. Computer controlled injection pumps scare me (can you say power stroke, duramax,and 6.5T). I'm looking at a 98 two wheel drive chassis cab,with the straight front axel and heavy frame. I have noted and read about the infamous 53 block and will be checking for that also.

thanks

grant

 

Do a search and read!
The VP-44 pump and the lift pump are the biggest problems we have.
A 24valve must have a fuel pressure gauge. Read thast again---MUST have.
They will keep running after the lift pump dies and this is a killer for the VP-44. Put a gauge in the cab and check it often.
The 53 block is a hit or miss thing. I'd bet most of those that will crack have already. There are a lot of them running just fine.

 

Make sure you have fuel pressure, get a gauge or at least an idiot light!! If the engine has a 53 block and it has over 50k it is probably OK, most cracked before that. Just check your front end, wheel bearings, ball joints, track bar, steering box for any play.

I like the 24 better, it has more hp stock and wider rpm range, they get about the same mileage maybe a tad less, because they have more power! Stock.

 

Sounds like the injector pump starts drawing the fuel if the lift pump fails?, causing premature wear? What does the electronics actually control? The truck has 195 thousand miles. Are the lift pumps in the fuel tanks?

grant

 

thanks,

I like the idea of a wider rpm range. it was a problem with my stock 12 valves.

grant

 

The fuel pump pumps from the tank to the injection pump, the extra fuel lubes and cools the injection pump. If the fuel pump fails the injection pump won't get enough extra fuel to lube and cool properly, it won't fail instantly but over time? it will.
The electronics control the injection pump, and the electronics also can overheat and fail.

 

Once you're out of warranty you are automatically enrolled in the VP44 "2K Club". That is where you keep 2k cash or credit handy so when you're on the road and your VP44 takes a dump you can cover towing, new pump, and install labor.

 

After dealing with both the pusher pump and a death of the VP44, I would say to either go with a 98 12 valve (gives you the new truck with the old reliable P-Pump) or jump to the newer common rail engine. The VP44 years seem to be bastard childs and notorious for failing.

 

the 24 valve lift pump/pump is a lemon IMHO...otherwise the engine is great
mpg is down a couple as well relative to the 12 valve

advantages are: plug and play fun, electronic timing, more EGT friendly...and i also think they rattle better

the 12 valves are bullet proof IMHO...but the trucks get older and need more TLC....little things here and there...but thats expected from 10 year old trucks

 

180K miles on original Vp44. No problems here.

 

I'm giving you 90 days from today. This is the second time I have seen you post recently about your LUCK with the VP44.

You had better be knocking on wood when you post that.

Today is the 12th. I'll revist this in February.

 

Your on! I can easily, EASILY get 225K miles on the same VP44.

Same as the ORIGINAL tranny & TC.

 

I've got over 210,000 kms on my original VP-44, lubricity additive added every tank since new, this makes a huge difference in prolonging life of pump with low sulphur fuel nowadays, as does keeping tank 1/2 full at least. I also only had 1 lift pump changed out at about 160,000kms. But it is something to be aware of as you don't know the history of truck, and how it was maintained. Call dealer and give vin# and they will tell you warranty history of what was changed and when. This will help you know if you can be expecting something soon, or not have to worry about it.

Oh and BTW I'm also a 53 block member, tow lots and heavy, and no signs of any problems, and I'm not concerned about it either. Get it mechanically inspected before you buy it, or if you have it already check for codes, upgrade fuel system, then enjoy bombing and driving it.

 

.....so how does fuel quality effect whether or not the crap electronics are going to fail? I haven't seen a mechanical failure in over two years.

 

probably happen right before Christmas.....that would be my luck!