when i put the key to the on position it primes the fuel but now it is sounding very very weak and i have no idea what the problem could be does anybody have an idea?

1998.5 3500 2wd 5 speed

 

Yup, dying lift pump. Get a fuel pressure gauge on it and check it. Should have around 10-15 at idle and nothing below 8 at full throttle.

 

wher can i go get it checked?

 

and how long do i have till i have trouble with the injuctor pump

 

You should replace it ASAP!!!!!!!!!!! Your pump will burn up within a matter of miles if you loose fuel pressure. Dont chance it. I'm a certified diesel mechanic on cat & cummins engines & have extensive knowledge on B & C series engines.

 

do i need to get it hooked up to a fuel pressure monitor

 

What you should do is put a fuel pressure gauge on your truck & a aftermarket transfer pump. Cummins specs are that your fuel pressure cannot drop below 4psi at anytime or internal pump failure will result.I have a fass red 95gpm on my dodge it cost me about $400 & my fuel psi is usually at 15 to 20 w/o towing & 15 towing.

 

well i have been driving like this for 4 days and there is no loss of power how will i know if the vp44 is gone and can i check the codes for them?

 

Your code will be a 385 & your truck will go into a limp mode I.E. no throttle just idle. Your pump will have internal damage & will need replacement by that time you will have no choice but to replace the VP44 & transfer pump.

 

I may stand corrected on the code. On the cummins side it will give a fault of 385 low fuel pressure. I dont know if it will be the same on the dodge side but it will have to do with a low fuel pressure fault.

 

so if no codes come up im still safe?

 

NO! You need to replace your transfer pump. I have seen pumps fail with no codes. If you dont address this ASAP it could cots you $$$$$$$$!!!!!! Going to bed now please take my advise I work on diesels every day & have been doing so for 15yrs I dont want to see this cost you thousands to repair this when it could only cost you $200 to $500 to take care of this problem. Go to pmtchips.com & check out their prices on the fass red fuel pump 95gpm!! good luck with this!!!!!! DUNEATIC OUT!!!!!!!

 

Don't wait to take care of it. Just because your truck is still running doesn't mean everything is fine. Even after your lift pump fails your injection pump will still draw fuel from the tank so you won't even know it's bad (without a gauge).

 

how do i know if i have already damaged my vp44?

 

Usually, youll see P1693 and P0216 codes.

You need to check fuel pressure....AND get it scanned for codes...