so i blew up the dodge this weekend, loud bang and a big black cloud of smoke, its a 2000 3/4, 4x4 with the dreaded 24v VP44 injection pump, i can pretty much guarantee thats what blew up, anyone had a big bang and then go dead and not start?
what vp 44 are folks are using these days?, i am pretty set on the Blue Chip stuff as it seems he has been there, done that on these trucks many times, it's more money but i want some peace of mind, i dont want to blow up with my rig and trailer hooked on in the middle of the highway again anytime soon

 

Never had a VP44 make any noise when it went out. Sounds like you might be dealing with something internal. How does the oil look?
When i blew the turbo on my truck i heard a load bang and the engine had choked itself off somehow since the compressor was in many pieces.
Might wanna take the intake tube off going from the air filter to the turbo.

 

I second that.

 

**** you guy are scaring me making me wonder if I should have bought my 01 24v. I don't even know what a VP44 is.

 

There ain't no peace of mind - not even with fuel, gauges & reman VP. That said, you need to do some more diagnosing unless your VP has a hole in the side or something else to indicate an explosion. At least scan it. If it is the VP, search on other rebuilders ie MWFI or ???

 

Does not sound like a vp failure for sure, check the turbo first don't even try to turn it over until you do. Then look at the oil.

Could be a KDP hit as well with the bang and smoke

 

maybe it was more of a loud poof and a huge cloud of black smoke, i have looked at evreything i can see and there isnt anything unusual that i see, i am 98% sure it's the vp44, i have power, it cranks, but doesnt seem to have gas, i still have a lot of checking and i am trying to get the truck back home right now, it blew up 50 miles away and is sittiing there still
wouldnt the truck still start with no turbo?
what am i looking for in the oil? coolant?

 

Try loosening the fuel injection lines at one or 2 of the injectors (at the head)
If you have good fuel pressure there I would assume its not the VP44.

Do you have a fuel pressure gauge?

Check the engine oil for any metal, coolant, or a strong smell of diesel fuel.

I would also scan the computer for any codes.

Do you have the factory style air box?
If there is a cheap air filter in the factory box I have seen them "give" enough to get sucked into the air tube, choking the motor of air.

If it was an intercooler boot, It should still run, just with no power and constant black smoke under any power.

Where you towing, or "working" the engine when this happened?

 

I just had a very similar situation this past weekend.....

Towing 6,000 lbs, I was in it hard, merging into traffic... Then I heard the same loud BANG!!!! and a lot of black smoke..

Pulled over and found a loose turbo hose..

Fixed it and it blew again....

Fixed it again and drove mildly the rest of the way.. Kept it under 20psi.

Looking for a permanent fix now so that I am not afraid to run it full on at 40psi.....

 

Mine made a nice bang, I thought I holed the block at first. I was getting on it to pass when it happened.

 

i was stopped at a light and just pushed the gas to go, not hard or anything, i am trying to get to the truck on friday and do some checking, i'll post up what i find... thxs for all the ideas

 

I've had a sudden boost leak at the boot going to the air horn. The clamp let the boot come off. Truck would start, just no power without boost. Perhaps it will be something so simple.

When CKP went out, it would crank but wasn't getting fuel through the VP even though the lift pump & pressure was normal. (No codes) CKP doesn't explain boom.

 

Maybe its a combination. Say a sudden boost leak, and a failed CKP. I have seen some weird things heppen at the same time.. Just an idea???

 

Don't worry about it - seriously. The VP44 really isn't that bad if it does go and it doesn't blow up.

You done fine with your choice - now just get out there and enjoy it!!

 

do the 3 key cycle and pull your codes,
see if any visual other than normal leaks external.
look at the face of your turbo.
check your oil
check your coolant incase of crossing with oil.
get a 3/4 wrench and undo the heads of a injector
bump start the motor by turning your key and not starting it this will make your lift pump push fuel through the vp and hopefully to the injectors. (still that doesn't mean your VP is good or bad)
was the bang like a tire blowing or a metallic bang.
check your air path from turbo to intercooler. all the boots. and back to the head same thing. your inner fender wells if you look under neath they are prone to rub into the lower intercooler boots.
do the easy stuff first before you start the truck
just incase so if it was a hard part your not doing more damage.