How long does it take to swap a VP44 out for the average person? Any special tools needed? I have looked at a few "how to" articles, but none of them said how long it should take. Thanks!!

 

You will need a little gear puller to pop the drive gear off. The average time for a newbie is 3-4 hours. There is a video floating around here you can watch (search it)

 

Its faster then that. My last one took just over an hour with start up.

Good luck, and don't drop the key.

 

Definitely watch the video. I think it was done by DieselDan and is posted either here or at TDR (maybe both). If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video is worth a million words! Maybe someone has a link...

 

Bring it down to the Cave if you can and we can do it. We've done a couple and actually very easy. We have all the proper tools too.

 

X2 what he said. I haven't personally helped but looking forward to learning for when it is time for mine to go.

 

Here is the link to a VP44 replacement how to video:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lPZR5an9LCY
It took me about 3 hours replacing my first (so far) and only vp44.

 

Those are awesome videos, I do not have to do the vp, but just watching that, I would not be scared attempting it...

 

Its real easy. Unfortunately when I did mine, it took a lot longer than 3-4hours cause my key came loose and fell down in the timing case. I had to take the fan and crank dampner off and take the timing cover off to get it out. Found it wedged between the cam gear and powersteering/vacuum pump gear.

 

He didn't ask how long it took you to change one. I can change one in under an hour and a half, my first one was probably around 3 hours. He asked how long it would take a first timer.

 

The key is a big issue. In every how to they stress not knocking it out. I superglued the last one and that worked ok.

Also make sure you have all the tools available. It doesn't take a lot but there are a couple that are really necessary.

If you go to Harbor Freight they have a cheap crow foot line wrench set that make getting #5 and # 6 lines out and tightened.

Also make sure the batteries are charged as you may have to crank a bit. Try not to burn out the starter. (don't ask how I know)

The small gear puller is necessary to pull the pump gear. I think I paid $6 for mine.

I keep all the tools in nylon bag under the back seat so I could do it at roadside if necessary.

To answer the real question....it shouldn't take more than 4 hours if you have everything.

 

oh, you might wanna also replace the cam position sensor while you have the pump off. Otherwise is a darn near impossible to get at with the pump on. I wish I would have thought to do this when I did mine.