Opinions and Thoughts that is...

​​​​​As is usually the case when I'm on standby time with nothing to do, I start thinking about all the stuff I can do to my truck (02 CCLB 6spd). Mine has 129k on it, hasn't been modded in any way, and runs quite well. The next round of work will be new rad, coolant filter, IH water pump, LPOP, and maybe a harmonic balancer*. I went through this exercise on my old e99 several years ago (it had 175k on it). I had also replaced the HPOP with an Adrenaline.

*The harmonic balancer replacement was recommended to my by an old timer. The e99 was a rattler for sure, but it was noticeably tamed after the combo HPOP and balancer. What role each played was impossible to tell of course, but the old balancer rubber was pretty beat.

Anyway... I don't think an HPOP replacement is necessary at this point, but it has me wondering: is there any merit to rebuilding an HPOP? I have the old one from the e99, but I think one takes a performance hit if they go backwards like that (deflector plate angle?), even if it was rebuilt.

​​​​​​Although I see more towing in the future (whether it's a slide in, or a smaller camper), my performance needs are not off the charts. In other words I do not forsee an over the top injector upgrade happening that would require a step up in HPOP.

So: is a simple HPOP rebuild recommended?

 

No,If you are not having issues holding your oil pressure under demand.

That being said, rebuilding HPOP most likely will pump up the performance but not necessary If not trouble with ICP or if not going with bigger injectors.

E99 has 15 deg swash plate vs 99-03 17 deg.

Don't go with e99 HPOP.

 

The top rebuilders, the ones that sell the upgraded remans, swap out the swash plates regardless whether they are 15's or 17's. So it doesn't really matter what they start with. And x2 on "If it ain't broke don't fix it" for your factory pump.

 

129k and you're going LPOP?...I'd leave well enough alone on the HPOP....maybe HPOP hoses though.....age over miles.

 

Don't fix it until it is broke.

Don't swap hard parts like LPOP or HPOP just because. Most get two or three times the miles out of those same parts.

If you are experiencing issues, by all means get them sorted.

 

Unless you're planning on sending it in to be rebuilt. I've been told 15deg pumps make for the best cores since that swash plate angle stresses the components less than the SD pumps.

 

Based on my work schedule, I usually have to set aside time for the bigger maintenance activities way, way in advance. My upcoming rad replacement was necessitated by a problem back in October and here it is May and I wont be able to get to it now until June. So if I can knock off 1 or 2 other things while I have the truck splayed open, I tend to do it.

At only 130k it is true that changing out the LPOP probably isnt necessary. But I learned a lesson from my e99. Before I figured out that I was having LPOP probs, I would have these random longer cranks, or have to crank a couple of times before it would go. Everything else had checked out - based on what I knew to look for at the time. It wasnt a chronic prob at first, until it left me high and dry 2x (once on an incoming tide and another when I needed to get to the airport). It was then that I dialed into the reservoir level deal and I could work around the problem by keeping the rez filled. When I finally got the LPOP out of there, I could see signs of erosion. Although the previous owner did his best to maintain the vehicle, he did cut corners. I think extended time between oil changes and lower quality oil played a role. I acquired the truck at 158k and started noticing the random cranking thing soon thereafter. LPOP was replaced at 183k and I never had anything close to that problem again. (For all I know, the reason the PO sold the vehicle was because of starting issues he couldn't get diagnosed).

Aside from a 3yr gap in service records on my current 02, where incidentally the most miles were put on (almost 40k out of 120), I am not inclined to think that I am on a banana peel with the LPOP. As much as I hate to admit, I am getting to an age where it will be easier to do it now rather than later.