Hey y'all!!!

I'm glad I found this site,

I just picked up my new-to-me truck and I have all the little bugs worked out, now for the big one, I think y'all call it "dead petal."

As best as I can describe it;
-The truck smokes when I try and accelerate when it's cold, but never when its warm
-The truck will be running fine with tons of power, and all the sudden just act like it has 50 horse power total! This seems to happen less at higher RPM's, but not always.
-I never have had a computer code, and it always starts right up.
-I just put a new air & fuel filter & changed the oil & oil filter too, but it did this just after I bought it last week.
-I have put in some PS diesel cleaner in the fuel, it seems to help a little
-I had to put new batteries in it, don't see how that matters but I want to give y'all all of my info!
-When its running right, it is very strong!
-When it fails, it seems like the turbo doesnt spool up, then all the sudden it will kick in and set you back in your seat, other times you have to drop a gear and then it goes like a batt outta hell, other times this doesnt even work.
-Does not matter if I'm pulling a load or not
-Once it spools up, if I keep on it, it will keep going with 100% power, but if I let off, it may or may not have power again.
-I ran it in the driveway with the filter connection off and the turbo spins at idle, but not very fast, probably a 1,000 or so rpms, as a uneducated guess
-Oh, and I'm getting pretty good mileage 18-20 plus.

Well, hit me with all of you questions, I am stumpped!
Thanks for your help & time reading all of my descriptions, Mike.

 

Oh, and when it's cold, it will not turn over 1500 RPMs, and gradually will let you turn more as she warms up.

 

Have you checked your fuel pressure from your lift pump yet? Dead pedal and loss of power are usually the signs of a dying VP44 injection pump. Have you done the key on-off 3 times to check for codes?

 

I have not checked for codes, but the engine light has not lit up at all,yet...

I am heading to the auto parts in a few minutes, if you tell me what I need to check the fuel pressure, I'll pick it up.

If you could shoot me any link or let me know how to check for trouble codes and/or check the fuel pressure, I will do it. Thanks again! Mike.

 

The dead pedal is when it just goes to idle and no matter how hard you push the pedal it stays at idle. Yours sounds more like a map sensor not working at times causing the turbo to not spool.

 

I had similar symptoms (didn't notice anything specific to running cold though) and it was a lift pump. Replaced that and had the same symptoms within 5000 miles and had to replace the injection pump ($1150 + core to do it myself).

 

When it has "no power" and is fully warmed up, it will rev up with the clutch in, easily to 3000. But it is very random. Also, when I changed the fuel filter I left the lid loose of the first cycle to get the air out and it pumped about 1- 1.5 cups of fuel all over the place, and the filter was dry, so it has tons of volume. I see a place above the power steering fill to put a guage, I'll go buy one now. What pressure should I see? How do I check for computer codes?

 

Only thing it does 100% of the time, is when the engine is cold, it will smoke, shutter like crazy, and not go above 1500 rpms untill it gets warmed up a little, and it improves as it warms up progressivly.

 

Check for codes before changing any parts. It sounds to me like you have a bad or dirty IAT [intake air temp] sensor or possibly a bad map sensor.

 

Cool, I understand I turn the key on & off 3 times, I imagine I leave the key on then. What happens next?

 

COOL!

OK, I did the key thing and got;

P1693 - DTC detected in pcm/ecm
-------
PDONE
PECU
P0230 -Lift pump circuit out of range
P0216 -FI pump timing failure
PDONE

What's this mean? Now I'm lost

 

P0216 is the death code for the VP44. You need to have at least 8psi of fuel at full load.

 

Well,

I purchased the truck at a really good price assuming that I would have injector/pump issues.

Whats the best way to proceed? Should I still get a fuel pressure gauge? Who has the best VP44 or equivalent? I only use the truck for hauling, so the less expensive route would be the most attractive to me.

Thanks for working with me!

 

I think I'd still try a map sensor. They are not to much. I bought mine at Shucks for around $50. Ask for a boost sensor.
There's alot of places to get a injection pump. I bought mine local at Northland diesel for $1100.
You'll need a fuel pres. gauge, or at least a 8psi light like I have. I got the light cause my transmission is still stock. When it needs work then Ill get an edge and have gauges.

 

The oddest part is the cold performance, until it hits 150 +/- on the temp it will not boost. It feels like a lawn mower engine, then BAM, it boosts and sets you back. I have to think it's a electrical issue, maybe the computer in the vp44? I'll try the map sensor, that's a cheap try. The wastegate valve/controller couldn't get stuck could it? Not letting it move until it gets warm? The turbo looked a little gummy, I guess its just carbon.