Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Autometer FP Gauge?

[RJMurphy]

In the Latest Autometer catalog they state that they do not recommend their elctric or isolated Fuel Pressure gauges for Diesel Applications. Is there any problem with running a standard mechanical gauge in the cab? I figure 15psi of Cool diesel is no worse than 50-60 psi of HOT engine oil! Thanks in advance Murfman

 

[GMills]

No probs with mine!

 

[RowJ]

I use their Electric gauge and have no problem. Have seen many others mention they also have Autometers electric. It works well for me-needle vibrates a little at idle (+/- 1/2 lb) but nothing hard to live with.

 

[24V-DSL]

I've had the electric for over two years, with no problems. The Autometer statement is to cover their butts per a customer service "tech" I spoke with.



Some have complained about failing sensors, but mine's mounted on a bracket on the inside of the drivers side fender just above the fuse box. Vibration will kill the senders.

 

[isb360]

I'll share my, similar experiences... .

I ordered from Geno's Garage Autometer Ultralight EGT, Boost, and electric FP gauges. Got them, installed them, EGT fine, Boost fine, FP gauge: dead. I went through the install the best I could to see if I could troubleshoot it on my end. I went as far as disconnecting the 10-pin connector from the back of the gauge and used a DMM (digital multimeter) to verify voltages at the connector. Voltages were present, but I didn't know what they meant, so I called Autometer "tech" support (and I use this term in the loosest sense) to ask for a transducer voltage output curve for the various connector pinouts with the intent of verifying that the voltages I was seeing at various connector pins were correct to the end of determining if it was the gauge head unit or the sending unit or my install that was bad.



First off, the tech told me that those gauges were not recommended for Cummins Diesel applications because the start-up fuel spike hitting the sending unit would blow it out and that Diesel Dynamics (pardon the hearsay) had done some research to verify that this was the case. Hmmm. Ok, how about the voltage outputs from the sending unit? She did not understand the question, then was unable to produce the documentation. I asked how they were calibrated and she said "duh... . ".



Then I called Geno's and repeated my conversation with Autometer and they said that they had other customers very successfully using the same gauge with no problems and they offered to send me a new gauge at no charge, which they did. [Sidebar: Geno's has fantastic and knowledgeable customer service].



I opted not to install the second gauge for fear of needlessly ruining a sending unit on a $200 piece of equipment, so I sent both back to Geno's and got a refund.



I am presently awaiting delivery of an Isspro mechanical gauge from Wildcat. I was, and still am, a bit hesitant to run fuel into the cabin, but Wildcat has assured me that with proper installation, there should be no problems. I will probably wrap a small rag around the line where it meets the head unit so if it does leak a bit, the rag will grab the fuel and hopefully with a diesel-soaked rag, I'll smell it and be alerted of the leak.



I really liked the look of the Autometer and was hoping to be able to use it, but without a clear recommendation from the manufacturer, I do not think it is worth the risk.



Sorry for the long winded message... . hope it sheds some light.





Tim

 

[abranz]

I had two autometer electric gauges go bad, both within about 300 miles. Don't know if was the senders or gauges. I returned them and put a westach fuel pressure gauge on and have had no problems for two years now. Just my experience. Tony

 

[b737jets]

I have had my Autometer 0 to 15 psi gauge for the last 5000 mi and its been steady and reliable as can be. I also hace a snubber installed from grainger which dampens the the fuel psi nicely

 

[RJMurphy]

Thanks for the replies. I called Autometer, the skinny from the tech line is as follows. They can not recommend a mechanical gauge in the cab (Liability issues), Diesel attacks the rubber in the isolator, and they are working on a new sending unit for the Electric gauge. The tech stated that they have had few recent problems with the electric, since they went to the full sweep model. It seems that some people have trouble, and some do not. I am going to go with a mechanical one for now. If and when the "FIX" the electric one I will swap it in. Peace Murfman