I agree the VP is a poor design. Dodge replaced 3 VP's on my truck before it went out of warranty. I replaced the last one myself. I think the pump part is fine the electronics are the bad part. The new pumps have what is called the "Fed Ex" electronics because they had so much trouble. I got my last one from Blue Chip it was great.

 

I think that it may be very well a result of fuel quality and installation of the VP-

Over here most mfgs used VP44s (and 37s, same pump, 4banger) and sold millions of vehicles.
My IP and injection shop showed me these pumps after 500 k miles (engine was still running, car was totalled, pump pulled to be cut up for display)- no visible wear, pump test stand showed it as well within specs before being cut apart and showcased.
Cars that were operated in the eastern block countries before they got better fuel ate through these pumps like crazy.

Something else to consider- the VP44 works fine in the BMW 6banger diesels- 2.5L, up to 190 hp. Everything else wears out before the VP44, and that is without a lift pump. The reason is that the smallengine makes much higher rpm, and injects much less per revolution. This makes for a much higher fuel flow used for cooling.

Just my2c

AlpineRAM

 

Part of the problem is everyone needs their core in order to buy a new one and get their truck back on the road ASAP. Therefore, there are no people to tinker with it other than the people that profit from selling rebuilds.

 

What about this place in the UK that repairs the electronics? It would be nice if you could determine if it was the electronics, the diaphram, or the rotor and if it is only the electronics, just swap that part for a much reduced cost.

http://www.dieselpumprepairs.com/#

 

Are their other VP44 remans that use the FedEX chipset/board?
It sounds like at this point, all we can do is find out who makes the best VP44 Reman for the money and learn how to changes these things out like lift pumps.
These trucks & motors are truly awesome, other than this aspect.

 

p1688 and p1689 codes will tell

 

Sold my 2000 3500 with 203,500 miles on it last month with the original VP-44. I was on the third lift pump. First one quit at 95k Second one at 182k. I always used an additive with the fuel. Some say that makes no differance, but the lift pump and the VP are rotary pumps with small bearing surfaces. The extra oil in the fuel had to help that somewhat.

As far a HOT Weather, my truck lived in Florida its whole life and still does.

I think electrical conditions within the truck and ECM determine in some cases how long the LP lasts. I guess everyone knows that on start up the
ECM turns the LP back to 9V and resumes normal operation there after. Well
suppose the ECM does not do that. It would not take long for the LP to fail and with it the VP44.

Dave

 

yup way worse the pmd would leave you sit on the road way more then the vp44
you can thank our gov. for all the electronic trash we have to put up with
and my vp 44 is sittin real close to 150k and still runs great! with 3 lift pump failures and 1 fass .I like my 2001 cummins

 

Markus,
Very interesting!
Do all these European VP-44's have the same electronics we have to deal with?

RJ

 

I agree that heat stress causes the most harm to VP44 longevity - can't recall the exact numbers at the moment, but the testing we did on a '99 24V 3 years ago with a case-imbedded Type K revealed temperatures at & above what's considered to be the safe sustained maximum for non-milspec electronics.

Once you pass 40*C, MTBF drops like a stone.
I've got a spreadsheet with the VP44 data around here somewhere.

Anyway, anything you can do to keep the IP cool or upgrade the board will only make it last longer.

 

it would be interesting to know failure rates for different geographic regions. i.e. more failures in hot areas and fewer in cold regions. I wonder how much fuel temperature has to do with it? Any thoughts on how to keep fuel cooler in hot hot weather? Also failures for fuel type: bio (B20, B99,) straight diesel, diesel with additives, etc. Any analysts out there who would know how to compile the data and do a study?

 

I thinkt his thread should be changed to worst lift pump ever haha

 

Does anyone know how well the fedex upgarde board are holding up?
Who else besides Blue Chip, for sure, really puts in a new computer? It seems like there is nothing but good reviews from the people that have the Blue chip VP44.
It would be ineteresting to see a survey rating of the VP44 rebuilders.

 

It's my understanding that a NEW board costs rebuilders $500.00 +/-. Other than Blue Chip, I believe it's luck of the draw.
If the used board on the VP-44 you buy passed inspection.... so be it.
If not, you get a new board.... or a different board that has passed inspection!

RJ

 

Does anyone know how well the fedex upgarde board are holding up?
Who else besides Blue Chip, for sure, really puts in a new computer? It seems like there is nothing but good reviews from the people that have the Blue chip VP44.
It would be ineteresting to see a survey rating of the VP44 rebuilders.