gehaller

Hello,
Recently, my Ram 2500 QC began running terrible.....White smoke, dead pedal etc. Flashed the codes 1693 and 0216.....I have never replaced the stock lift pump and thought I would start there.....Replaced...Better but still had white smoke at about 1900-2000 rpm....Went and replaced fuel filter (which wasn't in bad shape from 5k miles ago) and drove it on the highway....still getting intermitent white smoke...but drives fine. Idle is good, tach is much steadier than with old lift pump. Could I have a bad injector or bad fuel? I know that 0216 code means that it could be a bad VP44 but would I be able to accelerate at all with a bad VP44?

Out of ideas unless someone here has some insight.

Thanks,

Graham

GizmoJoe

Graham,

That is how my VP44 problem started over 1 1/2 years ago being very intermittent. I could pull a 9000 lbs boat and trailer 450 miles and not have any issues and did many times. Then I could drive it to work and get 4-10 dead pedals during my 45 minute ride that I could get the pedal back just by letting off the accellerator for 5 seconds. I never did get any white smoke except when warming it up in the morning.

After I replaced my lift pump about a year ago it was better but not perfect. I could sometimes go for a week and not get a dead pedal and would never get a dead pedal when under load or pulling a trailer. Just cruising the highway empty was the worse and then finally it wouldn't even get out of it's own way. I am in the middle of the VP44 replacement now...With issues...

Gizmo Joe

PaulDaisy

Hi Graham,
I believe that, unfortunately, your truck's problem is a failing injection pump. While replacing the lift pump is necessary (provided the old one was in fact bad), all the symptoms you are describing lead to the VP44 being on its way out. You still would be able to accelerate and drive mostly normally until those intermittent problems exacerbate and the truck dies on the road.
The VP does cost about $1000, you can find one for less and for more. Replacing it is not a very big deal, I replaced mine without any special tools and taking my time, in a half a day, with a few cold ones during breaks.
I bought my VP44 (replaced last March) from Pensacola Diesel. Runs strong and I got now better fuel mileage to boot.
Fill out your signature - that will help others know what truck and mods they are looking at.
Cheers,
-P

dozer12216

Sure looks as you'l get experience replacing VP.
Pensocola Diesel had them for 935 at your front door. Check ebay for info.