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

[zimman20]

It's done

Finally, five business days after the part was ordered (and no call or card from the dealer, I had to call for status) the part came in, another week to get an appt. It went in yesterday at 0800 and I had it back by 5:00 p. m. Checked it when I got home:



15 PSI solid at idle



12 PSI under throttle



8 PSI solid at WOT





Unfortunately they also reflashed my ECM so it's running like doo-doo now, thank God for the EZ.





zman

 

[zstroken]

how far from indy are you??

I suspect my lift pump is flaky, i just put on an autometer 4313 gage and i get about 13, 9, and 4(WOT) wandering if i could use it to verify my guage.

 

[zimman20]

Too far, unfortunately! I'm in NJ. Maybe someone from your area could hook you up. If your gauge is accurate then your WOT number alone should be enough to get you changed out, I believe 8 PSI is the minimum at WOT that the STAR hotline is telling the dealers to make the change out at. I think 7 PSI was the old standard at WOT, your idle and under throttle numbers look OK. Could be on its way out, that's why Briar's gauge is a good backup to confirm what you're seeing.

 

[cmckinney]

02' Shrader valve

Where is this at on an 02' truck. I think I saw that someone had noticed that it was removed anyone seen it on the 02'? I was thinking of getting Briar's gauge but if I don't have the valve no use in trying.



-CM

 

[zimman20]

I don't think so......

It should still be there, don't believe there were any changes in the configurations between 01 and 02, at any rate it's the same place that DC techs use to diagnose/test the pressure from, same way you're going to.



Look on the driver's side of the motor, about halfway down the block, you should see the fuel rail running horizontally along the block. Look for a black cap that is slightly larger than a regular valve stem cap, that cap is screwed onto and covering the schraeder valve we're talking about.

 

[Briar Hopper]

The Schraeder valve is still there on the 2002's I've seen. zstroken, what part of Indiana? Indianapolis? I'm not too far, it's 3 1/2 hours to Muncie from my place. My shop itself is about 65 miles south of Cincinnati.

Our grand opening is on July 27th.....

 

[rspinks]

Just wanted to say "Thank You" again Tom for shipping me your test gauge, got my lift pump replaced this morning and now I have solid 15/12/10 fuel pressures, up from the stock 12/9/5.



Rich

 

[Briar Hopper]

You're welcome, Rich, I'm glad it worked out for you! Nothing like a little peace of mind, knowing your fuel pressure.

Anybody having problems accessing my website? I'm getting some complaints, trying to narrow it down... .

 

[GeneralMachine]

Fuel Pressure

After reading these post, Im going to go check my fuel pressure too, for the last time i serviced, it took me awhile to get the engine to prime up and going. at 47k now im probley haveing the same problem you guy's are talking about. that's the best thing on the TDR all the info you can get. Thank's for the input. Harv

 

[reese]

Hey guys, I have 2000 and was wondering if the fitting was the same as a 2001. If it is different, then were is it located? When you got your pump changed out did the truck run different? Better? I have about 44,000 miles on mine and have never had it in at the stealer. I bought it used with 32,000 miles on it. The guy that was the original owner was the service manager at Round Tree Dodge in LC, LA. The only thing I saw that he did wrong was that he had a camper on it at one time and drilled holes in the top of the bed rails. I don't know what he was thinking, but it looks terrible now that I don't have a top on it.

 

[Steve G]

Looking from the drivers side at the VP44 there are two brass colored fuel lines running to the side of the pump, the fitting on the right has a black plastice cap on it. That's the one to connect your gauge to.



Steve

 

[zimman20]

Reese- I believe the 2000 is the same.



I have diamond plate covers on the bed rails and the top of the tailgate lip, sounds like this would fix you up. Do a search on 'diamond plate' and you should find plenty of places selling them. Thought i got mine at pickuptruckaccessories.com but a quick look this a. m. I couldn't find them although I didn't have much time to play. I believe I spent $75. 00 or so for the two bed rail pieces and the tailgate piece altogether. They look very cool as well.





zman

 

[rspinks]

Reese, I didn't notice much difference in power, however my previous pump was still producing some pressure and the truck never stumbled or seemed low on power.



I wanted to make sure my VP44 was seeing good fuel pressure because it relies on excess fuel flow for cooling. I was worried that my previous 5psi at WOT was providing enough fuel for the truck to run fine, but maybe it wasn't enough for cooling the VP44 properly.



Rich

 

[PCrable]

Got my guage

I got my gauge from Briar Hopper in the mail yesterday. It was real easy to hook up on my 98. 5... I just removed 2 plugs from the top of the fuel filter and put in the 2 schrader valves that Briar sent. After hooking it up, I got...



10 PSI at Idle

5-6 PSI cruising

3 PSI at WOT



Sounds like I'll be ordering a lift pump from Cummins Rocky Mountain today. At least being a Cummins Power Booster member, I'll get 10% off



My only issue with the guage is that it leaks some diesel fuel from the gauge end of the hose... I'll try some permatech to try to fix that. I'd also like to get 2 more schrader valves so I can check my frined's '99 without having to take the schrader's off of mine. Anyone know where to get these ? Briar ?



--Phil

 

[reese]

Is there some kind of special fitting that is needed to connect up to the fitting already on the truck? Does anyone know what size it is? I can get a calibrated gauge and hose from work, but I need to know what it takes to connect it to the factory test port.



I am traveling to Alpharetta, GA on the 21st and will be there for 2 weeks, I would like to find out if I need a new lift pump before I start heading up there. The last time I did this little trip was with a co-worker in his T-100 and he filled it up with diesel about 86 miles from anywhere. The little truck didn't like the diesel too much, but it actually ran. It would only idle.



Anyway, if someone can help me out, let me know. I don't want to take it to the stealer and let them test the pressure because: first, they will charge me for it and second, they will probably tell me it is good when it is actually not.