Finally found my Briar Hopper fuel pressure gage and hooked it up to the truck this morning. These were the readings: idle - 11; cruise (up to 50mph) - 8 and at WOT - 3 or 4. I was reluctant to get the truck on the freeway at higher cruise speeds because the gage started leaking and my duct tape was coming loose. Anyway, according to the instructions that came with the gage, the readings should be 11 or 12 at idle; 10 at cruising and 8 at WOT.

My truck has 33k miles on it and I've been running a fuel conditioner in it from day one. As you can see, my truck has very few mods. Based on all the threads that I have seen regarding this issue, there could be three possible problems here. (1) the lift pump is going out, (2) the fuel filter is partially clogged and/or (3) the injector pump is failing. I replaced the fuel filter 4k miles ago and I get my fuel at the same station each time, so I don't think that is part of the problem. My guess is the lift pump is probably failing so I'm going to Cummins Southern Plains and pick one up. I know the part is still under warranty on my truck but I don't think the dealer is installing original OEM lift pumps anymore and I don't want a pump in the fuel tank. Either I will install the lift pump or have Cummins do it. Another possibilty is to take the truck to the dealer and have them check the fuel pressure to try and isolate the problem. I hate taking my truck to the dealer though. I would appreciate any other thoughts.

 

Just had Dodge put a new lift pump in mine 2 weeks ago.

I had similar readings. 9-10 idle, 7 cruising, 3-4 WOT.

Now, with a new lift pump, I have 14-15 idle, 11-12 cruising and can pull it down to 7 or so if I really try, WOT.

 

Bill,

Why would you not want the in tank pump? If you're local dealer is a stiff and has incompetents in the shop try another one. With the in tank pump you can still use the orignal lift pump as well.

To diagnose your problem I would start by changing the filter again. I know 4K doesn't seem like a lot, but it can be enough to pick up some garbage that will clog your filter.

If that doesn't solve you're problem I would really consider taking it in for warranty.

While it's possible that your VP44 could be going bad there is no way DC will do anything about it unless you have the P0216. I got 160K out of my original VP44 and I have heard of others with almost 200K on an original.

You're doing the right thing by keeping an eye on your fuel pressure. Just don't spend any more than you have to as long as the truck is still under warranty.

 

Thanks for the replies. I cycled the ignition key 3 times but did not see any codes. I assume this technique works for 02's. I guess that I will go ahead and replace the fuel filter to see if that changes anything. After that, I'll take it to the dealer and let them check it out since the truck's still under warranty.

 

Mine sometimes idles a 7psi and if I step on it it goes up to 11. How does that happen?

 

Another way to get the codes on 02's is hold in the odometer / trip meter button when you turn on the key. Something to think about is to install the lift pump back at the tank if you don't like the idea of a intank pump. I have 35k or so on warranty and am sorta hoping that my lift pump will fail so I can get Dodge to install the intank pump. Sounds like the best solution to me.

 

Mine was doing that, except it would drop to 2 or 3 and back to 12 or so if I punched the pedal. Bad LP...... Install a FASS II and not it won't go below 14 WOT.