I am jsut curious as to the most common problems with my 1999 CTD. It is a 4wd, auto. I take meticulous care of it, but I know it can have problems. What problems should I expect from this truck?

Dima

 

I've had my truck for about a year. I haven't had any problems, KOW. It's been said to watch out for the 53 block and keep an eye on your lift pump.

Fill in your signature block, it will help those who are trying to answer your questions.

 

How do you know if you have a 53 block and how do I know when my lift pump is going bad?

Dima

 

I have had my rear diif loose its shims to the magnet. Someone didn't put it together correct. I think it was the five finger guys.
Other than that not problems. Do a search for the 53 block,KDP,lift pump and VP44, the TC and valve body too. Those are the biggest concerns.
Bomb and enjoy

 

Hi flatty
Welcome aboard.
Don't want to sound nosey, but there's a search button that will help you out on both issues.

With your big tires the automatic can also be an issue sometimes. (Especially if you up the power)

AlpineRAM

 

Flatty

I have a 99 4x4. Only had it for a few months now. I got it from a private party with 95,000 miles . He towed a big fifth wheel tow trailer sometimes to the desert.

He had the dealer rebuild the trans about 9 months before I bought it. Replaced lift pump. New exhaust manifold gasket(I think the dealer replaced the whole exhaust manifold. Brakes.

I called the dealer with the vin# and they verified the work.

I put a fuel pressure gauge on and another new lift pump. rear brakes and drums. Front has 1 ton calipers now.
I put new front wheel bearings on because who ever did the front breaks screwed up the bearings. Front inner axle seals.

Mostly just maintnance

Im going to put a shift kit in the trans and maybe a TC if I have the money. I dont like the way the trans shifts all mushy stock.

Heres a link to the 53 block Mines a 53 and its fine http://www.stamey.nu/Truck/Cummins53BlockFAQ.htm

Put a fuel pressure gauge on it . I your fuel pressure is low it will wear out your injector pump which is $1500.
Run a fuel lube additive like Power Service ,to lube your injector pump.

 

OK, I did the search and read up a Lot on VP44, KDP, 53 block, and the lift pump.

Is there any way I can prolong the life of my truck? I still can't understand how to check if my truck will have the KDP problem.

Where can I get the parts to fix the problem caused by the KDP.

I wil have to looka t my truck when I get home about the 53 block.

I heard that if you keep an eye on the fuel pressure, you can keep the lift pump from causing too much damage. When lookinga tthe guages, what am I looking for as far as fuel pressure goes.

I still can't understand what the VP44 is after all.

Dima

 

VP 44 is your fuel injector pump.

Fuel pressure should drop below 8 psi. My new lift pump reads 13.5- 14 at idle and doesnt go below 12 psi.

My old lift pump read 5 psi when I put my Isspro gauge on , so I put on a new lift pump.

From what Ive read the 24 valve motor doesnt have the KDP issue.

 

The VP44 is the injection pump. It needs lots of diesel, only a part of it is injected, most of it is used for cooling and lubrication and then returned to the tank. If you cut off the supply the engine will run, but the pump will have less to nothing for cooling and lubrication.
Looking at a fuel pressure gauge will show you whether the lift pump is still working OK- you should see around 15 psi at idle and no less than 10 WOT (wide open throttle)
Checing for the KDP means removing the timing cover- while you are at that you can tab it and retighten all the bolts in there. TST makes a kit to tab the KDP (They can be found in the "links" section of this site)
The 53 block means that your chances to crack the block are higher- not that you are doomed. Most of hte 53 blocks do hold up well, even with high horsepower. (relatively high)

To prolong the life of your engine:
Monitor fuel pressure
Use quality oils and change them at the suggested intervals (see owners manual)
Give your turbo cooldown time or watch your EGT gauge before shutting down
Maintenance on the contacts of all those wires that run around your engine pays off.
K&N is not too high in my books for making a good filter- either go for a BHAF or a Scotty2- the problem on oiled filters is the maintenance- and on any replacement for the stock air filter it's that the box doesn't seal too well. A diesel needs very much clean air.

HTH

AlpineRAM

 

GSP can you tell me about the one ton caliper swap. I have had terrible brake problems since 1999 when mine was new. I have the heavy chevy rear wheel cylinders, but i didn't notice them helping. I have been using the NAPA ceramic pads, last pair held up a month before breaking to pieces. I am open to any ideas.

 

Bighead,,, The guy I got my truck from put the 1 ton calibers on ,He says.

I checked them and the pads are thicker, I also checked into whats involved.

The Rotors are the same for a 1 ton . The 1 ton calibers are just wider so the thicker 1 ton pads will fit.

Just a matter of buying the 1 ton calipers.

Im sure it doesnt make it stop any beter , just longer pad life.

 

Another thing to concider. Don't get freaked out by reading these forums. Read for information only and don't assume because you read about problems on the board they will happen to your truck.

I use the information to prevent plausable problems and to learn about bombing.

I know a guy who has a 2000 3500/auto, he pulls a bunch of weight with his truck and know nothing about it, other than wear to put fuel in it. I asked him if he's ever had any problems with lift pumps or injector pumps. He said; "What's that?" Anyway, he has close to 180,000 miles, he replaced the tire and brakes a couple of times.

Ignorance is sometimes, bliss.

 

I got home from wrestling practice WAY too late to check the engine #'s. I have to do that. I keep the truck up meticulously, and was considering selling it. Now I am thinking about keeping it instead.

dIma

 

Current Mileage: 98,000

Maintenance I've had to perform:

- New Lift pump
- New Starter Contacts
- New Rear Speed Sensor

I've got a 53 block and I don't care cause I'm not going to be towing heavy in the mountains or put 500 + HP in mods under the hood....

 

Four lift pumps is the only problem I had on my 99. It ran very well until I started working on it. I'm wishing I would have left it stock now. $16000 since March and it's sitting in the car port broke down again.