I decided two weeks ago that I was going to treat myself to a Dodge diesel and sell my Chevrolet 6.5TD. Last week I installed an Edge Juice with Attitude in my new baby (without the pump tapped). Yesterday as I was doing my first run pulling with the truck I broke down. Everything was great for the first hour or so (Edge set on level 2) as the truck was pulling my 6000lb load with the greatest of ease. Then all of a sudden my fuel pressure dropped!!!! Within five minutes I went from 14lbs at cruise to none. I tried to nurse the truck to the next exit so I could pull off safely. The truck had dropped down to about 3 psi at that point and the throttle lost its feeling (dead pedal I presume)...... Once I rolled to a stop the truck wouldn't restart but I did try it briefly about 5 times. I only turned the truck over about 3 seconds at a time. So obviously I must have had a sudden lift pump failure. I run Hawes diesel treatment and the truck has gotten that treatment in every tankfull since new. The truck didn't kick any engine codes before it stopped. My question is: Since I lost my lift pump what are the chances that it destroyed my VP 44 at the same time? Does that dead pedal I felt when the lift pump died mean I cooked up the IP too? The truck had no driveablility issues before this but I am, as you can imagine, quite upset. The truck has 200,000 kms on it (130,000 miles) and was meticulously cared for. If I do need another Injector pump who would be the best source?

 

You say it didn't throw any codes before it stopped but have you checked for codes since? You will have to do the key trick, turn it on-off-on-off-on (not starting it) and let it cycle and you will get codes in your odometer. P0216 is what you are NOT looking for.

good luck....

 

I could be wrong but I doubt it packed it in that quick, seeing as you just lost fuel pressure, I installed a fuel pressure gauge on mine and found 3/4 of the time I had little to no Fuel pressure ( 0-3psi) no telling how long its been like that, My truck is driven 8hrs 200+Kms a day and to date my pump is still fine (knock on wood) prior to me installing a gauge I likely logged 300hrs of driving and who knows who long the pump was bad? this was 500hrs ago so I'm guessing I caught it....
You should replace the LP first, bleed the IP (crack the lines at the injectors) and see if all is good... my fingers are crossed for ya
BTW I too used to own 6.5 (two of em) and except for the VP worry I'm impressed with the cummins, the VP worry is no different than the PMD issue on a 6.5, except with the 6.5 there is more worry about head gaskets, cracked blocks and busted cranks...well you get the picture, FWIW I liked the ride of my old 6,5 better
Also my new to me dodge has 320,000kms on it and according to the orginal owner the IP and the LP had NEVER been replaced, I dont know if the Orginal owner used additives but I run a cocktail of 2stroke and Power Service in every tank same as I did in my 6.5 trucks

 

Welcome to DTR. My last heavy hauling truck was also a 6.5 TD. Trust me, we are all MUCH better off with a Cummins under our hoods.

The number one reason VP-44 injection pumps fail is HEAT. They are cooled by the diesel fuel being pumped to them via the lift pump. If you had good pressure intill that point, I'd wager the IP is ok. Check for codes. If no P0216, upgrade your lift pump system and cross your fingers.

Good luck........

 

When I bought my truck the first thing I did was the edge. My fp was around 8 and 0 @ wot. The installer Gillett diesel here in ut said I need a lift pump 180.00. I thought they were taking me for a ride, so I did some research and then bought and installed the lift pump myself. FP was great for several months, but soon would drop below 4 psi. I nnstalled the fass myself and have'nt had a problem 33,000 miles. My truck was @ 0 psi when purchased & ran fine. With the replacement lift pump going south the only I knew is by the attitude monitor, the truck always ran fine just no fuel pressure. I have never had dead pedal with 0 fp or @ any time. I thought I was experencing intermint dead pedal once wit no codes, turned out to be the tps. Went on for a couple weeks until finaly check engine light came on with a code for tps. I think you need a lp but probably somthing else also. Good luck

 

Have you got fuel? stupid question I know,but mine will run out before the fuel gauge reads empty.

 

perfectly valid point