97 cummins sucking air

Hannibal wrote:
Fantastic! Gotta love the ol' 12v's!

You got that right. Especially the sound:B

Fantastic! Gotta love the ol' 12v's!

I replaced the two lines from the tank to the front with flexible hose. There was also a pin hole in the return line just above the gauge sending unit, where the line curves and enters the tank. Chrysler wants 600 CAD for that unit and does not sell just that part, so they will keep it. I ran the hose over that patch, right up against the top of the unit. The truck runs beautifully.

I want to replace the rubber lines at the tank on my truck but with the 5th wheel hitch stuff, a bigger pain than I want to pull the bed. This is easy with the hoist in my shop except... Oh well, probably will have to repair alongside the road one of these days.

VP44 was introduced on the 1998.5 24V trucks.

January 1998 was the introduction of the 24v with vp44. 2002 MY was the last of the vp44. 2003 and up is the common rail fuel injection.

When did the VP44 come on line, 97 wasn't it?

From what I have read the VP44 required a min of 10PSI until 2003. If the pressure dropped below that you would damage the pump. Geno's and others even sell a pressure motoring kit with a red LED light you mount on the dash.

The VP44 injection pumps often fail when the factory electric lift pump cannot supply adequate fuel to it. One of the first recommended accessories for these models is a fuel pressure gauge, because when the factory lift pump goes bad, it's usually not long before the much-more-expensive injection pump goes, too.

Read more: http://www.dieselpowermag.com/tech/dodge/0604dp_cummins_diesel_motor_history/viewall.html#ixzz2dqMZlRrv

As I said something changed in 2003 because the VP44 Note 2003 up are running CP3 not the VP44, maybe I should not post on meds! Tore my calf muscle last Friday went to surgeon this morning to get it repaired. Wow did I screw that post up, sorry guys. from that year foreword no longer needed fuel to supply it's lubrication. I know because when my carter lift pump mounted on the side of the filter housing went south and I drove it for about a month before it died I checked in to this.

Don

He has a P7100 no need for worry on this one. VP44's are 24 valve pumps. and are sensitive on low fuel pressure and this is the reason to have a fuel pressure gage to monitor pressure. Low pressure, bad lift pump. Time for the in tank replacement.

Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:
Hate to tell you those but if your fuel pressure is low your injection pump is most likely damaged. The pump in your truck is very sensitive to low fuel pressures. Make sure you get to the bottom of this ASAP or it will cost you some big money.

Don

He has a 97 Don. I believe it was pre VP44. IIRC the 44 came along later? If I'm wrong please correct me because it's important to the OP.

Hate to tell you those but if your fuel pressure is low your injection pump is most likely damaged. The pump in your truck is very sensitive to low fuel pressures. Make sure you get to the bottom of this ASAP or it will cost you some big money.

Don