I have a 93 d350, 06 jetta TDI and just purchesed a 98.5 ram 2500 single cab 4x4. I previously had a 98.5 3500 and know first hand about the problems w/the VP44 and Lift Pump. The truck is bone stock Except for some exterior bolt-ons and has 157000 miles on it. The question I have is about the lift pump I want to change it but it already has the short adapter wire on it; did some of these trucks come with that wire from the factory or has it been changed already. I know that when I changed the one on my 3500 it did not have this adapter. I realy like these trucks but I hate shelling out the cash to fix that durn VP44 if I can prevent it. Thanx

 

Get a fuel pressure guage on order tonight.

 

I second that... Get at least a fuel pressure gauge...

But I would HIGHLY SUGGEST you just buy all three gauges... Fuel Pressure, Pyrometer, Boost...

The three gauges will greatly help extend the life of your engine without damaging it...

 

No the 98.5-99 trucks I know for sure did not come with the short wire. So the lift pump has been replaced. Like the others said, fuel pressure gauge for sure. I would put one in the cab to monitor at all times, but the cheap way is to get a mechanical gauge with 1/8" NPT and remove one of the brass plugs in the top of your filter housing and screw that gauge in. This is not the best method, but the cheapest.

 

That is one way of installing a fuel pressure gauge... But...

The problem is that you WOT pressure is the most important pressure to watch not idle pressure. So installing a gauge under the hood will do you no good. It will tell you pump is running at idle but you'll never know if it fell flat on its face while on the highway passing a FORD or CHEVY...

 

Clinton, it went 150,000 miles without guages, I would just about bet it would go a quite a bit further. Congrats on your new truck. I have a 02 tdi and love it. This is a great site. However, these engines are not as finicky as some on here would have you believe. I'm not a Cummins expert, but have had several diesels.

 

Nelrod, Check out the NC Chapter event going on in Jacksonville, NC this weekend. I'll be heading down early Sunday. Let me know if you would like to convoy.

 

The issue is not a finnicky engine, but the lift pump that supplies the Inection pump with the fuel that cools it is not very reliable, and usually the first symptom of a dead lift pump, is a dying injection pump. A fuel pressure gauge allows you to moniter the lift pump output, and help prevent starving the VP-44 of fuel...

 

Thanx for the advice I have been looking around and read about this "campaign pump". What is up with it and does it fit in the factory mount or is it just a seacondary pump?