2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Fuel Pressure Gauge

[DonTX]

OK, finally going to get it together and put on a fuel pressure gauge, just to monitor fuel filter status mostly. Geno's has so many I am confused, I THINK I want an electric sender type, don't want fuel in the cab. Has anybody recently bought/installed one and will share their knowledge of the crop of gauges out there? Also, what pressure range should I be looking at, no bombing, just a stock ol truck pretty much.

 

[JLandry]

Just an FYI...



With a mechanical fuel pressure gauge, you would not have fuel in the cab either. Mechanical gauges use an isolator in the engine compartment. Fuel pressure goes into one end of the isolator where it's separated by a diaphragm from a water/antifreeze mixture out the other end to the gauge in the cab.



I have a mechanical fuel pressure gauge in my truck, but if I were to do it all over again, I think I'd spring for the extra cost and go with the electric fuel pressure gauge. For starters installation is simpler with the electric gauge (although that's a minor consideration to me), but one little "feature" of a mechanical gauge I find particularly annoying is it ability to transmit pressure waves (vibrations) from the VP44 injection pump fuel inlet (where the pressure reading is taken). These pressure waves can cause a buzzing sound in the gauge itself, or in the gauge supply line, at certain engine speeds. The upside is a mechanical gauge is cheaper and reacts extremely fast to pressure variations.



Either way it's good you're installing one.



Best regards,



John L.

 

[DonTX]

Gee, thanks John, I did not know that about mechanical gauges! I had noticed that they are FAR cheaper though.

 

[RJWEST]

Mech gage Is much cheaper and much more reliable,

Diesel in the cab from a 1/8 inch ,restricted line, is not a problem.

A direct reading Mech gage, If installed correctly will not make any noise.

If you install an electric gage or a isolator, The first time you get low fuel pressure you will ask, ????? is it the LP or the gage... ?

 

[Chief USA]

I got my guages from Eric at Vulcan Performance. He has VERY good prices and put a real nice kit together that had all that was needed.



Vulcan Performance Products Home Page



I got the ISSPro EV Series gauges with the O-60 psi boost gauge, color coded (green, yellow, red range) EGT gauge. I got the manual 0-30 psi fuel pressure guage. I think mechanical is the best way to go. It will give you an instantaneous indication of a restricted fuel filter or bad lift pump during a hard pull.



Fitting the A pillar guage pod up to the A pillar cover can be a little tricky as was getting the fuel isolator filled and purged correctly but with 2 helping each other doing the install, it is not bad especially for drilling the exhaust manifold for the EGT probe. One person can hold the vaccum cleaner nozzle at the base of the drill bit to catch the metal chips while the other drills. Well worth the effort and expense.



I recently had a little problem with the fuel gauge show an erroneous pressure when the truck sat over night but after I bleed some anti-freeze out of the non-fuel side of the isolator a few times, this fixed the problem.



Overall, I am REAL happy with the gauge install (again thank you Jim!)

 

[KCraft]

electrical gauge!!! i made he mistake and bought a mech one. worked ok for about 1 year, then took a *****.

 

[DonTX]

I have the three gauge pillar setup full already, and am thinking the Geno steering column gauge mount is my best option. Has anybody used one of those? Comments?

 

[Davcruz]

I have a Westach gauge (from Genos, electric) mounted with the column mount. I like it.

 

[DonTX]

STAY AWAY FROM GENO'S! Their items are somewhat addictive!. I wound up spending several hundred dollars, but got me a direct pressure fuel pressure guage and all the trimmings, then a replacement transmission temp gauge as well since mine quit working. Then of course had to get one of them fancy gauge mounts to put the guage on the steering column. Boy is that all ever going to look great!

 

[dspoon]

How can you stop the chatter sound in the mechanical gauge mine just started chattering the other day and I run the isolator.

 

[TMilliard]

I have the Isspro fp gauge in the genos steering pod, It looks great but the gauge is slightly to bulky for the mount and it doesnt fit quite the way i wanted it to, other than that I love the setup

 

[DMather]

I went with the 30 psi mechanical gauge. Worked fine with the stock transfer pump. (actually the stock transfer pump didn't work well with it... . I was able to see the pressure that wasn't there!)

Installed AirDog transfer pump/filter/seperator and the fuel gauge sits right at 15 psi... . needle pointing straight up. I like that.

Put the matching 30 psi boost gauge in as well. Range works very well for my setup.

 

[DonTX]

I am not quite sure where to tap into the fuel system for the fuel pressure gauge, anybody care to show or tell how they did it?

 

[DirtyDodge]

I am not quite sure where to tap into the fuel system for the fuel pressure gauge, anybody care to show or tell how they did it?

There is a test port right on the side of the VP-44 itself that works great when using the stock lift pump and fuel supply lines. I now have the FASS and had to replum the fuel supply line, I ended up putting a "T" in using "AN" fittings.

Derek

 

[DonTX]

I knew of that option, but I now have the inline pump, not the VP.

There is a bleeder screw on top of the filter banjo that looks inviting, but then would not have a bleeder. Perhaps a tapped banjo on the fuel line to injection pump would be a solution?

 

[DirtyDodge]

I knew of that option, but I now have the inline pump, not the VP.

There is a bleeder screw on top of the filter banjo that looks inviting, but then would not have a bleeder. Perhaps a tapped banjo on the fuel line to injection pump would be a solution?

I'm retarded, thought I was in the 24v section for some reason . Don't know a whole lot about the 12 valve trucks, I went from a 1992 VE 12 valve to a 2002 24V. Anyway, good luck on the fuel pressure gauge.

 

[RJWEST]

check geno's

Dodge Cummins and Ford Power Stroke Diesel Truck Accessories - Geno's Garage

You did get a catalog ?????

 

[DonTX]

Yeah, I got a catalog, but it don't tell you where to hook it up at, does it?

No, I just looked. I wonder if any of the TDR magazines has an article about that.

 

[Diesel Manor]

For installation instructions just go to our site here: 3-Gauge Install Pictures - 5. 9L Cummins

We show you where to connect the fuel pressure source. Can be used for mech. or ele. FP gauges.



We sell the ISSPRO gauge kits with a mechanical FP gauge. They don't offer an ele. FP gauge. DiPricol, on the other hand has both mech. and ele. We've just revised out DiPricol kits to come with an ele. FP gauge only. We no longer sell them with the mechanical version, unless you call to ask for one. The price difference is only a few bucks becasue you don't need the isolator or S. S. hose to plumb the fuel to it. It's far easier w/ the electric gauge, and you don't have to purge and air or mess with filling the isolator with antifreeze. The DiPricols use a very robust sender, unlike another major brand that was only intended for gas applications. The pricols were designed to be used on a diesel. If you have any questions just give us a call.

 

[DonTX]

Hey, thanks. That is very useful information you shared there.