my friends dad has a 01 dodge, 2500 quadcab, and its kicking a code po216. Sometimes it runs perfect, sometimes it bogs like its not getting fuel. seems to run fine above 60. is there a simple fix, or are we looking at a new injection pump, and if so, where is a good place to get one without losing a leg?

 

code po216 is massive timing failure in the injection pump which is the death code for the vp44. dead pedal, white smoke, power loss, and can cause hard starting. Sometimes you can limp a dying vp44 along for a long time and sometimes they just up and die, i guess it just depends on the truck.

Randy

 

I have a 2001 ram 2500 it shows no codes. It acts like its not getiing enough fuel once in a great while, but won't start first thing in the morning until third or fourth try. Pressure is fine after initial start. I have a gauge that was installed last week and the fuel filter was changed last month. Any ideas?
Racheal

 

Pinhole somewhere in the fuel lines, it will start up fine as long as it doesn't sit a long time (like, overnight)?

For now (until you find the leak) you might try bumping the starter to make the lift pump run a 30 second cycle before trying to crank it.

 

SO I guess theres no fix except a new pump? where to get one?

 

UH, no...very likely your friend needs a new lift pump (around $160) AND a new injector pump ($1000+). Does he have an cab mounted fuel pressure guage (or test guage)? This probably could have been prevented with a guage.

I would get the codes cleared and see if they come back. If they do, you can check the fuel pressure at the test port on the injector pump (VP-44). But, from the symptoms you describe, it sounds like the Injector Pump is on its way out.

 

I think they've cleared the codes. I know it has a brand new lift pump on it.

 

I'll disagree with that comment. While a gauge is nice, it's not the end all fix all for a VP dying.

 

Noted.

BUT, there are a lot of people that dont understand the importance of a fuel pressure guage on a 24V. VP-44's can and do die without throwing a code or even having adequate fuel pressure but its not all that common.

 

I'll agree with that, mine gave up suddenly, no warning, no prior codes, nothing. Fuel pressure was a flawless 15lbs. Left my dad stranded an hour and a half away from home. He called the recovery team (me) out to pick it up. Codes were P1688 and P0254 I believe. Internal Injection pump controller failure and I don't remember what the other one was.