We have a 98 24v auto and it seems like the VP44 is going out!

I can get a used vp44 for $500 from a rolled over 1999 manual
will the pump work for me? or should i just buy a new one? where is the best place to buy one? and how much are they? i can have one for $1300 10 miles away from home!

We have a drag comp on the 98, and it starts up pretty good in the mornings, JUST after driving it for a while, shuting it off, and restarting it in about 10 mins, it starts very hard! and we've got a lost of power on a longer trip a few times! Does that mean a toasted vp44? or what can i do?
lift pump stays at 6-8 psi WOT

Thanks Silvano

 

I would buy the new one, the used one will probably fail soon too, especially at that price.

 

that doesnt necessarily mean your VP is toast, but it may be, make sure its bad before spending the coin. pull the codes and see what you have. 0216 is a pump code, you can pm me or we can talk here at length about hard starting issues because i have been through the entire truck troubleshooting this. what are your symptoms??

 

Thanks a lot for the help offer, ill try to get the codes, i know it had one code, but forgot what it was.

So what could be problem for hard starting? it starts great when cold, but hard after running it (when pump is warm i guess)

 

I am not sure the used ‘99 VP is such a good idea. Early pumps were the proving ground for the ISB engines. There have been many upgrades in the following years. Things like the timing piston running in the aluminum case were a problem solved with a steel sleeve. The electronics on top of the VP failing because of temperature cycling. Hard starts when warm caused by the diaphragm cracking and on and on. The latest rebuilds should be much better.

If the VP-44 from the ‘99 wreck was less than $100 or free it might be worth a try but for $500 or almost ½ the price of a new improved pump, no way.

 

Definitely go with the new pump. It would stink to spend the money and have the used pump go out on you again down the road. The new pump is piece of mind, especially since it will have a warranty... also inquire when you buy the new pump about whether they'll warranty it if it fails after you tap the pump wire, and if there are any special procedures they want you to follow if you do. The guys at DDP where I bought my pump wanted me to run it 2000 miles before tapping the wire, as sort of a break-in period for the pump.

The only way I would consider the used pump is if you knew for a fact that the truck it was in had had a pump replacement done fairly recently, so you'd know you were getting the newer, updated rebuilt pump instead of the factory one.