I read all these things on the VP44 failing and costing alot of money to fix...is there anything that can be replaced beforehand or checked that would prevent that from happening., bigger fuel lines or differnt lift pump or sumthing of that sort...or is it sumthing just just eventually is going to give out no matter what?

 

A fuel pressure gauge to moniter the low pressure fuel pumps output. No fuel pressure or low pressure will reak havic on the injector pump. Thats all I know to do, Wire tap boxes seem to short'n the life on the Vp44 also. My original pump made it past 200,000 miles then met my Edge drag and that did it in.

 

Yes to all of the above and get a FP guage. it will help prolong the inevitable at least.
But then again some people have loads of miles on their trucks and still have the original pumps. go figure!

 

206K miles on mine and I "drive it like I stole it".

I always add 8 oz of Power Service to the fuel at fill up, but I never let the tank get below 1/2 around town.

 

I would also consider getting rid of the banjo bolts and go with the vulcan big line kit. It really helped maintain good flow and pressure for me. You can also get some bigger banjo bolts from Geno's if you want to go that route as well!!

 

285,000 miles on the original VP, I have a pressure gage, add power service (8oz) most fill ups and some Marvel Mystery Oil fairly often - 4 oz on a fill up.
I fill up only when the light comes on and run another 50 miles or more.
I have only changed the LP once!

 

consider you self lucky. running it that low on fuel, could be bad for the VP44, since it uses fuel for cooling JMO.

 

Considering all the above, one can see that some (key word) VP44s last a long time. There are several points made in the above post that are worth emphasis.
Adequate Fuel supply for cooling( refill tank at 1/4)
Gauge to insure you maintain adequate pressure
Lub additive to insure adequate lubercation (espically when considering the Low Sulfer Diesel coming on the market)
When the above doesn't work replace the stock LP with a good aftermarket.
and finally, Luck.....I would rather be lucky than smart any day

 

Here's my 2 cents for what it's worth please just take it for that--But some food for thought!

I may have got lucky and got a good VP, but remember it is a older one and there have been some updates since it was built.

I believe the key to longer VP life is a additive to help keep the pump lubed, from what I read a lot of failed pumps upon disassembly are found gulled up.
In my opinion the Marvel Mystery oil keeps things running smooth.

If fuel temperature is a problem why not add a cooler to the system?
I believe the fuel temperature thing is more myth than hard fact.
In the life of my truck I have never worried about filling up until I was low, real low.
Here's how I look at it -Farmer logic- if you have a gallon can of hot water and a cup of hot water both starting the same temperature which one would cool off faster?
So if the fuel tank was used as a heat sink to cool the fuel it would cool better at a lower the fuel level (less mass) than full.

Have a great New Year.
Mark

 

That is assuming that it is starting hot. If you start with a larger volume of cool fuel, it will take MUCH longer to warm up, then a smaller amount will.

There are things that might prolong the pump itself, such as never running out of fuel (to cool and keep the pump lubed), to keep it lubed (use an additive), larger fuel delivery lines (to get a good flow to the pump) and good fuel pressure (also to keep the pump lubed with the proper amount of fuel.
However, if the circuit board wasn't put together properly, or some bad solder was used, you are not going to be able to fix that with any preventative measures.

I think it is the 'luck of the draw' on how a VP44 lasts. As you can see some have over 200K on their VP's. Some are on their 1st LP. I am on my 3rd or 4th LP, and original VP. I have the Vulcan fuel system, and a Comp. 145,000 miles.

 

Hey Mike you hit the nail on the head - luck of the draw is a large part of it, maybe the largest part of this thing!
I have had really good luck with this truck as a whole to this point.
I know I am on borrowed time with my VP and hope when I get a rebuild it will last a long time also.
Take care of your self over there!
Mark

 

The fuel cooler is an excellent idea!!!! In fact, my dad's D-max has a fuel cooler at the tank for the return fuel. This could be done very cheap.

 

It sure wouldn't hurt would it!
It would be nice to have some fuel temp. readings before and after, fuel mileage
before and after also - kind of a myth buster thing.

Mark

 

Let us know what those temps are when you get it in.

 

thanks guys..i think my next thing will be the gauges..then i might look into the big line kit....

what do all u have as far as guages?? egt, boost, fuel???? down the pillar..thats what i was thinking about...as far as trans temp...is that mainly for autos or for manuals also?