Got a problem that I can't figure out. Drove my truck to work one morning with no problems. After work, started up and headed to the interstate. Noticed a considerable loss of power. It took forever for the RPM's to build up, along with speed. Finally got on the interstate, but if I hit even a small incline, I couldn't keep speed or RPM's up, even with the accelerator floored. I don't have fuel gauges, so I assumed that my lift pump was going out (it's original, with over 220,000 miles on it). I changed the lift pump and fuel filter, did an APPS reset just for the heck of it, but no improvement. Well, I figured now the injection pump was toast. I took the truck to Autozone to pull codes, and no codes showed up. Now I'm really confused. If it was the VP44, shouldn't the dreaded 0216 code show up?

I buy my fuel at a busy truck stop, and change my fuel filter every 7K or so. The truck doesn't stumble or blow smoke at any speed, but it simply won't maintain speed or RPM's....Could this be a dirty IAT sensor, or a going-bad rear axle speed sensor???? I certainly don't want to put a new injection pump on if that isn't the problem.

Does anybody have any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks a lot in advance...

 

Loss of boost comes to mind.

 

I still haven't figured this out. Can someone tell me how to check for loss of boost? I don't have any gauges. This thing runs worse than a wind-up foreign car. Absolutely no power.

Any help or advice you guru's could give me would sure be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

IMO I dont think you have a boost problem , but you probably should invest in some gages so that you can check your inlet to pump press. and you will want to check your inlet restriction to the lift pump, it sounds like a big restriction , or this has happen to me more then once , VP44 going bad without throwing a fault code.

 

Usually a loss of boost is accompanied by some smoke.

Check the air filter. (didn't see you say you did yet).

Check the turbo blades for excessive side to side, or in and out movement.

Check the rubber intercooler boots for tightness, dry rot, tears or holes.

The VP44 can die without codes.
Mine did at 4,000 miles.
Different symptoms though.

Check the cheap stuff first, especially since you are way out of warranty.

Speed sensor shouldn't have an effect but the IAT could.

IAT instructions.
http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/sensors/IAT/clean.htm


phox

 

Thanks to everyone for your help. I pulled the IAT last night and cleaned it. I checked all of the turbo connections and hoses, and they all seemed good. I also changed the air filter again, just for good measure. Still no go.

I'm off now to get a new IAT, and I'm also going to install Geno's oversize banjo's while I'm in there. If all else fails, I'll get the dealer to check my VP44.

If anybody has any more suggestions, I'm more than open to them!

Thanks again.

 

Don't waste your money on an IAT sensor. My truck was doing the same thing your is doing. I finally ended up taking the pump to get rebuilt which was the problem. Now my truck runs great.

 

I agree....definitely not the IAT.......

Does it show any codes??

 

No codes at all. Of course, the IAT didn't fix it. Got the oversize banjoes installed, and finally got a gauge to check LP pressure. Can't pull it down below 12 PSI.

I haven't fixed this yet. It still runs like crap (no acceleration, loses speed on even minor road rises, etc.), but I haven't had the time to take it to the dealer. I wonder if my MAP sensor could cause this extremely bad performance, of if I should just bite the bullet and replace the injection pump? Is there any way that I can test the injection pump itself?

 

i think Blue Chip Diesel sells a VP-44 tester, maybe check his website

 

pleasedo the ez stuff 1st......replace the fual filter now!!!!!!!!! no fual= no boost =no pwer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Thanks. I've done that twice, just to be sure. Air filter as well. I'll see if I can find the VP44 tester.

Thanks to everybody for their replies and help. If I can fix this myself, without having to take it to the dealer, I'll be a happy camper!

 

do you know what your fual Preasure is?? /volume??

 

I haven't tested volume, but pressure is 13 idle, 11-12 WOT. Tested both pre- and post-filter.

 

well you have me guesen......anf only if you had som guages (sounds like broken record) it would be ezer.
if you have air and fual it has to run....did you have some one drive bhind you and check for blavk smoke??
is you intercooler leaking??
any stange noises??