Well, I have so far (knock on my forehead) managed to avoid VP44 problems with my 99...

So, I just picked up a 2000 monaco diplomat 38' Diesel Pusher with a cummins 8.3L. It only had 110,000 Miles, so I figured I should be good, I have four times that on my 5.9..

Nope.. on my way back from a "test" trip, took it 600km camping a few weeks ago to iron out the bugs, before we take it 6000Km to the west coast next week. and on the way home, she blew...

started to loose power, dead pedal, white smoke, bucking etc. It started out very mild, only a little hesatation when it downshifted while going up hill, and it progressivly got worse. I managed to get it home, barely, I could only do 20km/hr for the last 10Km, but I got it home and cleaned out, and then we limped it back to the diesel doctors...

He tried to trouble shoot it for a couple weeks, took it to cummins, they hooked up the computer, and it said it was fine, not the CAPS pump. He did replace the lift pump, no surprise, and then tried the injectors, a couple of them were a little week, but not too bad... None of that fixed the problem, and after the injectors were fixed up, he could acctually get it to stall just by reving it up for a minute or so, after the lift pump stopped running.

The lift pumps on these engines only run for a minute or so at startup, then they go into bypass and a gear pump on the injection pump sucks the fuel needed..

So, after running out of ideas, he took off the pump, sent it to be rebuilt, and they found the main shaft to be worn out beyond repair.

I was told the replacement pump, could only be found from cummins, and will be $5500 plus labour and shipping..

Does anyone have one cheaper?

I certainly could not find one,, I am kinda glad tho at least it happend while at home, would have been a real bummer to spend our three weeks of vacation at the repair shop somewhere between here and yellowstone...

Anyone wanna buy a 38' RV, new injection pump just installed with 1 year warrenty???

 

Actually, I did have a real question, I left that out of my dribble above...

Was there anyway I could have found out if the pump was about to crap out before I purchased this?

It ran fine durring the test drive, and even when it was running bad, the cummins software said the pressures were fine, and the pump was good...

Thanks

 

And they say a VP44 is BAD, there only $1100

 

Don't know exactly. What your looking for but there are 2. Ebay for less than 2k. Or plenty of complete 8.3 comepletes for less than 4k.

 

Update:

After much troubleshooting, he decided to take the Caps Injection pump off, He sent it to a local injection service shop, and they took it apart to find the main shaft was toast,,, So on when a new $5500 Caps pump. Even tho, cummins tested the bad pump, and the pressures were good???

New problem with new symptoms, it ran good, but had no power when down shifting going up hills or passing... Took it back to cummins to have the transmission tested. This was last week... They found there was a speed sensor in the transmission that needed replaced, Yet no codes registered on the tranny. Also the new CAPS pump had a defective part, and would need replaced, Even tho it tested good when it was installed... At least it was warrantied....

So He went to pick it up last night, and on his way back it died, He said It is like its getting too much fuel now, and is flooding itself...

I can only suspect it is the injectors now, one or two is stuck open and flooding the cylinder bad enough to make it stall...

He is thinking it might be the ECM module, or some other sort of Electrical issue...

As we were supposed to leave for holidays on Monday, and we have not even seen the motorhome for a month now, I was wondering if anyone here has experienced these types of problems?

I know the caps pumps are crap, and so are the lift pumps, but both are showing good pressures now,,, He has physically checked the timing, its good.

We just dont know how long do you wait, or should we go rent something, or what...
Any advice?

Our first Motorhome experience is not going well so far, my repair bill will be well over 10grand if we ever get it back...

Thanks..

 

I got a call from the shop this am, they worked on it till 1am last night, replaced a bunch of stuff, pulled a fuel line, stuck it in a gerry can and went for a drive, no problems at all, ran great he said...

So they dipped the tank, and voila.. SUGAR...

Seeing as the symptoms started on my way home from florida, I believe the sugar was there when I purchased it.. I never let the tank go below half on the way home, as I was not sure how accurate the gage was, or how big the tank is.. When I did my trip in July, I let it run down past 1/4, and thats when it started to run bad, and eventually it got real bad. By the time I filled up at home, the damage was done, the pump was toasted...

I spoke with the rv dealer in Florida, he said he never even heard of such a thing, so no help there..

I have a call into my insurance, but have not heard back from them yet, prob no help there either...

They put at least 7grand in parts into this thing, I would assume labour will be that much or more..

I guess I should have dipped the tank before I purchased it...

On the plus side, they found the problem, and should be ready to go tomorrow, and we can start our holiday, 6 days late.. At least I can sleep in the camper now and not the doghouse...

Happy trails...

 

fireram


Sounds like the PO did not like to sell ,He added something (sugar) to the tank. I don`t have a locking fuel tank cap on my diesel YET. but I think I will have one real soon.That sucks

 

Its hard to say when it was put in there,, The PO traded it for a smaller but newer unit. At least that is what the dealer is telling me... If thats the case, he may have not even know it was in there.

As far as I know, it could have happened while we were camping, and away from the site, but that seams very unlikely.

The insurance adjuster is going to look at, but not until monday or tuesday, so more delays, but it might be well worth the wait..

The mechanic has no doubt that the sugar caused the damage. Sugar does not dissolve in fuel, or gas. It acts like sand and wears the crap out of the injection components.. So I am told.

He has seen it before on a hi-way rig, but he had a glass bowl on his fuel water separator, and they could see it in the bottom of the glass.

He still has not told me what the total bill will be, I think he lost track of his time on this..

 

Thats not a good story at all, I hope your holidays go better than your RV purchasing woes! I been a mechanic for over 35 years and I have heard of the dreaded (sugar) but never have I run in to some@%$#^ have the nerve to throw it in. I am now curious to find out if only dipping the tank or draining some fuel off before filtration or if spinning seperators and filters of or doing all to find that culprit. You mention that it does not disolve so I am also curious if thats the case why don't the seperator/filter catch it? Food for thought! Cheers. Rick

 

Bet the PO trading story is bs. I'd bet it was a REPO, if he couldn't keep then screw the guy that gets.

 

I am sure your right hauling-rv, thing is, I have the PO name and address I think.. I am pretty sure it was on the original title. Thats still in the RV at the shop..

Not that tracking him down and asking him would help at all..

Still waiting for the adjuster, this is really beginning to suck. vacation is half over, and we could have left on sunday, but now I am waiting for a guy to talk to my mechanic and say, yes, I agree, all those part you put on in the last 4 weeks were probably destroyed by the sugar...

I am going to call em today, and ask if a rental unit is covered while we wait for them to make a decision.. Maybe that will get em moving.

 

Well, encase anyone is interested, the insurance adjusted had the sample tested by a lab, indeed it was sugar, however, the insurance company will not cover the repairs.

The adjuster is stating that sugar will not harm the engine components, and that the damage was caused by a build up of residue.

The residue is a result of fuel being left in the tank for long periods of time, and the volatile distillate evaporates, leaving the impurities left behind to concentrate. The high concentration of sludge is what did in my fuel components, not the sugar... so no insurance reimbursement of the $12,000 repair bill.....

Makes me wonder how much residue is out there in guys tanks, just waiting to destroy their engines...

My filter by the way, showed no signs of contaminants when we took it off and drained it...

Happy trails...

 

Shouldn't the filter have gotten the sugar?