PMD testing

[racer55]

Had to return all bad PMD's and included the symptoms,most were no start hot while some were no start ever.

[VanBoy]

Racer, at least you are in canada. Hate to find out how much it would cost to return one from the states.

[VanBoy]

Did more nosing around, that seller I mentioned about the Stanadyne PMD's..... the ad I mentioned lists a one month warranty while on a different auction, same seller, same product, states a two month waranty. The difference is, the 1 month warranty is a buy it now while the two month waranty is an auction. Has a two month warranty on another auction (still Stanadyne PMD) but the buy it now is about 160.

[acesneights1]

The "bench test" is no more than a DS4 on a bench that they try it on. If it's not completly dead...It passed. I'm sure a diesel inj pump test bench costs 50k$ but it is still misleading.
Like Dieselpro said that is about the only way to test it. Put it on a truck and drive it for awhile and even then no guarantees with these.

[racer55]

Originally Posted by VanBoy

Racer, at least you are in canada. Hate to find out how much it would cost to return one from the states.

Even from Canada ,I think people are better off buying new first.

[VanBoy]

Originally Posted by racer55

Even from Canada ,I think people are better off buying new first.

True. Hate to admit, but I'm in the same boat. Trying to save some, but prob will end up buying 2 or 3 used PMD's. I think in the end, I'll probably have close to that $199.00 priced PMD I saw on Fee-bay.

I think, some of the sellers of PMDs, they hope that the people that buy are not "informed" or are people who see the price and think, "It's only $XX.xx".


Edit-And I just did it again , bought ANOTHER used PMD off of Flee-bay for $75.00. Seller said it was their backup, mounted on their vehicle on a heat sink, ready to use if it happened to be needed (ie unplug from old and plug into backup). I weighed the benefits and I figure that the cost of the sink (looks like a good one, thick base) and hopefully a unused PMD. Oh, the "unused PMD" is a Stanadyne grey PMD....

[JMJNet]

As long as the PO did not mount it inside on the intake or inside the hood.
If it is, it is probably not as good.

If outside the hood, then it will have a bigger chance to be good.

[VanBoy]

Originally Posted by JMJNet

As long as the PO did not mount it inside on the intake or inside the hood.
If it is, it is probably not as good.

If outside the hood, then it will have a bigger chance to be good.

Well, true. But from the sounds of it, PMD's are a big head ache. I guess it will be a risk then. Time will tell. (I have three on the way....should have just bought a new Stanadyne grey....) Bad habit, try to save a buck, end up spending more in the long run....

Reminds me of how an electrical manufacture screwed up a bunch of electronic ignition modules for Ford, Lincoln, Mercury vehicles back in the day (1980s). Back then, they were VERY pricey (current technology at the time) and people, when their OEM went bad, bought at the local parts store. The mechanic that told the story said that lots of customers were PO-ed about repairs taking so long, etc and going through module after module. I think some got so fed up with that, they had shops swap in the points type distributors just to get rid of the electronic ignition....

That reminds me, I might just have to read up on how to swap a PMD type IP pump w/ a pre-1993 non computerized IP. Just in case and what is involved in said swap (I know I'd have to install a new throttle and cable....as 94+ are fly by wire...)

[racer55]

Every ford module I had to change at that time required a new coil as well-if you didn't replace the coil the new module would fry in short order.

[PrivatePilot]

The PMD issues are often blown way out or proportion, IMHO. Yes, they are problematic. Yes, they often fail at bad times. Yes, it was a crappy design.

BUT....follow the guidelines here (mount it outside the engine bay on a BIG cooler) and install a good new (or tested and good) PMD...and chances are it'll be the last time you ever have to even concern yourself with it.

Aside from having unplugged and replugged mine after my engine rebuild last spring I haven't even touched mine since the day I installed it behind the grille. You'll find that most other people that have done the same are in the same boat - it's the LAST time they had issues with it.

The only reason you hear about the PMD so much here in the 6.5 forum is because of people who haven't relocated it yet. When it inevitably fails they all rush to the internet to find out why their truck is stalling...and we go round-and-round here.