Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Briar Hopper gauge RULES!

[zimman20]

Okay, so I've been putting off getting gauges due to a cash crunch. I put on an EZ about 4 months ago and was very happy with the bang for the buck/seat of the pants power that was immediately noticed.



About 2 months ago I felt like some power was missing. I thought that maybe I'd just gotten used to the EZ and was imagining it. Kept thinking about it, it kept bugging me, and I thought I'd give Briar's test gauge a try just to confirm that I was NOT imagining things and see if my lift pump had indeed headed south. I have approximately 32k miles on the truck at this point.

Figured the $49. 00 was insurance and peace of mind, money well spent.



Long story short, received the gauge on Friday of last week, checked the pressure at the Shrader valve on Saturday, and lo and behold:



6-7 psi at idle



3-5 psi cruising



0 psi or less at WOT





The only indication I had that the lift pump was nogoodsky was 'seat of the pants' and of course reading all of the posts on this board. Rest assured to all of you who think 'all is well' my truck ran fine for the most part, no missing, started fine, etc. One other indication I had was after changing the fuel filter the previous week I had a hard time priming the system , finally started after many many anxious minutes cranking the key after 'bumping' the starter several times.



Also as an FYI it's been said on here before, I COULD hear the lift pump running after bumping the system, but apparently (as has been said on here before) the fact that you can hear the lift pump running doesn't mean it's actually working.



Took about five minutes to hook up the test gauge, no tools required, instructions and exploded view of what you're looking at/for are provided, a child could do it.



To anyone who's debating whether or not to check your pressures out don't delay. The mere fact that your truck starts OK and runs 'okay' doesn't mean your lift pump hasn't taken a dump. It's been said on here before but it bears repeating.



Thanks Briar for a quick and dirty solution. Also thanks to all on this board who've provided their . 02 worth with their experiences for all to share.



The good news is is that it's at the dealer right now for a new lift pump. I told the service manager that it was 'not running right' and told him I'd checked the pressures and where, and what they were. I was ready for war, but surprisingly he was receptive and said 'sounds like the fuel pump'. Hopefully they've seen this before and will know what to check and where, and I won't have the hassle I was expecting. Keeping my fingers crossed, still ready for war if need be.



Now Dodge, how soon before this thing blows up in your face?





zman

 

[PCrable]

Zman,

thanks for the info... Got a link or other info on where we can find Briar Hopper's guage ?



Thanks,

--Phil

 

[Dane]

Briar Hopper - I'll second that, THANKS!! With all the lift pump stories and dealer incompetence in diagnosing bad pumps I think the tester is worth every penny.

 

[Briar Hopper]

Thanks for the kind words, guys. I'm glad the gauge worked out well for all of you, my own original gauge definitely gets a good workout at diesel events and at my shop. It even got loaned out to a Ford guy while at Thunder in Muncie ! It's not as good looking as the ones I sell(built it before I found better fittings & gauges), but it still works!

 

[DarrellB]

You guys better quit

Your going to give Briar The big head. LOL



Darrell

 

[DarrellB]

Just joking Briar, I've used the heck out of my gauge too.



Thanks budd.



Darrell

 

[zimman20]

where to get it

Phil-



Check out Briar's web page at www.blackmountaindiesel.com.

Look for 'Briar Hopper's fuel pressure gauge' on the first page. Good luck... ... ... ... .





zman

 

[Briar Hopper]

Don't wear it out, Darrell, ol pal. Seriously, mine has just sat in the truck bed for over a year and half, exposed to rain, sleet, snow, and sun, and still works flawlessly. I guess I need to retire it to a trophy case as the "one that started it all".

 

[willyslover]

Tom . . who do you think you are fool'in... you truck is far to clean to say it's been in the bed for a year or so... none of us will believe you

 

[Briar Hopper]

Got a lot of people fooled, huh, Gary? It's not just the clean truck that has 'em fooled... . I need to change the shop name to "Briar Hopper's Fuel Gauges and ATS Advertising Support Central, and part-time clutch installations"

 

[DarrellB]

ROTFLMAO



Pick on Briar night I guess.



If you do that I need a new T-shirt.



Still need one of those window stickers too.



Darrell

 

[zimman20]

here we go......

Let the games begin. Dealer just got to my truck today (day three it's been sitting at the 'stealer') and finally get a call back from the service manager indicating that his tech can find no problem with the truck, said it runs fine (of course). Tried asking him about specific pressures he's seeing at idle, cruise, and WOT and started getting the 'huminahuminahumina', he couldn't tell me. He's gonna call me back, we'll see what he has to say. Gentlemen, start your engines (no pun intended). Stay tuned.





zman

 

[zimman20]

still not too happy.....

Okay, so the stealer called back and said they couldn't find anything wrong and 'they didn't know what else to tell me, can't find anything wrong'. I requested to know what the pressures were and to speak to the mechanic. I was advised that the mech was out to lunch and they would call me back.



Two hours later (I need a job with 2 hr lunches) they advise that they 'went through the whole rigamarole' (his words) again and called the STAR line and were advised that the numbers they were seeing were 'marginal' but they were authorized to go ahead and change it anyway. Gosh, they're sweet.



Of course I reiterated my position that it was not 'marginal', it was 7 psi at idle and 0 or less under throttle but of course he proceeded to try and blame it on my gauge. I could see that one coming a mile away.



At any rate, I'm still waaay P. O. 'd at having been put through the wringer. He was flat getting ready to blow me off, 'couldn't find the service manager' when I asked, and basically was going to tell me to go crap in my hat.



This is what's wrong with Dodge. They are offended and on the defensive if anybody shows any knowledge of the vehicle or the problem whatsoever, they are fully ready to dismiss the owner as if they're an idiot and they've heard it all before. This is not customer service, it's customer disservice, and why I dread ever having to take my vehicle to them. I just couldn't see spending the time and the $$ to replace the LP on my dime when it's covered under warranty. The only reason I even own a Dodge is for the Cummins, I hope they realize that I'm not alone in this. I'm a Ford guy from way back and if pushed to far I'll swing back that way in a heartbeat, unfortunately it won't be in a Diesel.



Thanks for letting me rant, sorry for the long post!



zman

 

[gsmith1]

I had a good expierence with Dodge. Noticed my truck was "bucking" during extended pulls above 2200 rpm and took it into Dodge. Explained the problems to the mechanic and service manager. They checked it out with road test and gauge, noted poor pressure above 2200 rpm, replaced the pump under the 70,000 mile emission warranty. Voluntarily gave me the reading outputs of both the old and new pump. No charge, no hassle. I was pleased and surprised.

 

[Briar Hopper]

Zimman20, I got treated pretty much the same way you did, at my local dealer.

Yeah, yeah, I'm a Ford guy too, from way back, but the dealerships for Ford here are even WORSE... . I turned my back on Ford after 26 visits to the dealer failed to determine why my Ranger 4 cylinder engine was giving me 11 miles per gallon.

The Dodge with the Cummins seemed to be the easiest new truck out there to work on MYSELF, and that's why I bought it.

 

[RCone]

Naive question from a newbie. Have just ordered Briar's gauge. In reading threads understand that it comes with complete instructions.



My question is: how in the heck do you read Cruising and WOT pressures unless moving. Maybe my question is premature and the instructions will address that issue.



Roger

 

[DarrellB]

Rout the gauge under the hood and tape it to your windshield at below eye level. This is how I've done it but Briar's the expert he'll probible tell ya.



Darrell

 

[Briar Hopper]

My buddy Darrell got it right, but then again he usually does!

I designed the gauge system with a hose long enough to reach the windshield, just so you could read your pressures at WOT. The higher on the windshield, the better you can see it.

Got to put in a big thumbs-up for 3M Box Sealing Tape, that stuff holds, and doesn't leave a mess when you remove it. I hate cheap tape! 'Course, I'm biased, I work for 3M, and love ALL their stuff !

Yes, the gauges are shipped with complete directions.

 

[RCone]

Be that the clear or brown tape? HaHa, just kiddin Briar. Thanks for the info guys. Briar, how is it that you haven't designed a permanent type of set up?



Regards,



Roger

 

[Briar Hopper]

Clear tape, for sure! Good question, Roger. Actually, there are a few options out there for full-time fuel pressure gauge installations. Most members, me included, want our fuel pressure gauges in the cab to match our boost and EGT gauges. That limits the selection and mounting methods somewhat.

I run AutoMeters, but there are other good brands out there, like IssPro, SPA, and Nordskog.

And for what it's worth, I do have a simple kit of fittings & fuel hose available that enables you to quickly and easily hook up the sending unit of an electric fuel pressure gauge, with the sending unit mounted remotely from the VP44 injection pump.