Briarhoppers Lift Pump Test Gauge

[CAT 385]

Checks in the mail... ...



Thanks Walter

 

[Briar Hopper]

Picked up the gauges today, assembled, boxed, addressed... . now I'm on my way to the post office.

 

[Don M]

Hey Briar, I dont know jack about the 24 valves really so Im wondering if the gauge set-up will work a 12 valver too.



Don~

 

[The Sequel]

$$$ is on it's way.

 

[TNT]

Briar Hopper

I'll be eagerly awaiting the arrival of my gauge kit.

 

[Briar Hopper]

I'm sure you'll like it, Todd. Let me know what your pressures read at... . especially at wide open throttle... . that goes for the rest of y'all too, post your pressure readings on here, so we all can learn from it... . Thanks !

 

[Briar Hopper]

Okay guys,I've been asked by our lesser-valved(but mighty P7100-equipped) friends to adapt this gauge to 12 valve systems. So, after a little investigation, here's the scoop on using my fuel pressure gauge on 12 valve systems. I believe you'll need a gauge with a range of 0-60psi, instead of the 0-30 I'm using for the 24 valves. The fuel filter mounts have threaded and plugged ports on top of them, which means a gauge hookup is as simple as installing the same extra fitting that I supply to the guys with 98. 5 thru 99 trucks. The 2001 thru 2002 trucks, the hose hooks straight to the injection pump test port, or the one behind the fuel filter.

My special fitting for the older trucks simply converts the plugged 1/8NPT threaded port into a "schraeder " valve, just like what's on the newer 2000 & up trucks. Just the fitting can be left in place, if desired, though it's a good idea not to leave the gauge itself hooked up all the time! This is a temporary test gauge, and while it's plenty strong, our service manuals recommend against leaving one hooked up on a semi-permanent basis, as vapor lock can occur... .

Any of you 12 valve guys care to post a link to this thread in the 12 valve forum? And please look at your fuel filter housings for me, to confirm you have those threaded & plugged ports on there. Thanks !

 

[Rambunctious]

Is that an A. C. hose you are using? Looks like a great setup!!!

 

[Briar Hopper]

It's a refrigerant reclamation hose, very durable.

 

[rashwor]

Check is in the mail today.

I put my check in the mail this morning. My truck is a '99. Thanks for your time and help.

 

[rdanley]

PUMP GAUGE

HEY BRAIR WHY CANT YOU MAKE ONE THAT IS A PERMANT MOUNT SAY LIKE A FUEL PRESSURE GAUGE OR EGT GAUGE I THINK THAT WOULD BE REAL COOL

 

[Briar Hopper]

It's not that simple, RDANLEY, I wish it was. AutoMeter, Isspro, Nordskog, and others offer very attractive, accurate, and durable gauges for in-cab installation. Though they have none right now that meet our exact needs.

Nothing I could offer would beat what they have, anyway.

My intention here was to fill a need for those of us with 24 valve engines to check our fuel pressure , and make sure the lift pump was still working. My intention was to enable this to be done on a temporary basis . Not everyone wants to install in-cab full-time fuel pressure gauges. Although I have done so, and highly recommend doing so. It's as much of a necessity on a 24 valve truck, as the boost and EGT gauges.

 

[Jaguwire]

I've been taping my A/C gauges to the windshield when I needed to test the lift pump. Low pressure side of R-12 gauge set. Excellent lift pump pressure. Mine drops to near 0psi at WOT.

 

[Briar Hopper]

Steve Shaw, from everything I've been told by those who know, dropping to near zero pressure at wide open throttle is NOT an indication of a good lift pump. They should not drop past 6 or 7 psi at WOT. What is your pressure at idle? Is the needle fluctuating? Your lift pump may be dying. Better have a replacement ready.

 

[azcummins]

I got mine today! YEEE HAW!!!



Which fitting do I tap into on the top of my fuel filter? I have a 98. 5 24V.



Also, once I tap in, will I lost my prime?

 

[JPittman]

Briar,



Received your fuel pressure kit today, it's great! I had a problem. Connected everything as per your instructions, truck started, needle went to 10psi, and then the engine died. Tried starting it and it wouldn't. I then took the fitting off and put the plug back in. Bump started about 5 times, each time the lift pump would cycle about 20 sec. , still didn't start. Loosen the plug so fuel would come out, tighten it, then it started. I'm Afraid to put the test gauge back on until I find out what I did wrong. Should I do the same thing as I did when I put the plug back in? Did I loose prime and the hose has to fill with fuel?

Thanks again.

 

[Don M]

Briar,



Here is what I can add for ya on the 12 valve to help with you setting some up if you can or it is possible to do.



The picture below is of the test adapter that TST sells for the 12 valve trucks. I have a 12 valve injector next to it for sizing reference. If the picture text is unreadable the smaller size(male) of the adapter is 6mm x 1. 00 metirc and the larger size is 1/8 x 28 pipe thread (female)

The smaller side on the adapter replaces the bleeder screw for testing purposes that is on the 'clean side' of the filter housing (post filter). There is a soft copper sealing washer used to avoid leaks as well.

TST makes the female side of the adapter to hook up your existing boost gauge or similar thingee to read the pressure.

I usually just remove the boost gauge fitting in the manifold and hook it right up to the fitting from TST. This is a pain in the butt and I have pushed fuel into the cab of the truck several times and the little poly hose and fittings always leak for me.

I like the idea of the long and durable hose and gauge set-up that you use.

I feel that a 50 psi gauge would be fine for this set-up. I never seem to run over 38psi with mine.



Perhaps you could find some fittings that could adapt a valve on the housing like the 24's run and make up some gauges that will work. I dont think you want to purchase this adapter for your 12 valve kits. Its kinda expensive.

 

[Briar Hopper]

Oops... . I'm really sorry, guys, I clean forgot to warn you about losing prime when you install the adapter fitting on 98. 5's and 99's. But once you have it installed it can be left in place, and you shouldn't lose prime anymore when hooking up the gauge. It's entirely possible the hose needs to fill, too. So go ahead and hook up the hose AFTER you get prime back, you'll see by the gauge if it's getting pressure and filling the hose. Let me know how it goes.

Don M, thanks for the heads up on that little 12 valve adapter, that's cool. None of my 12 valve friends knew about that fitting. The "Schraeder" fitting I supply to the 98. 5 and 99 guys, should thread right into the female end of that adapter. So anyone that wants to could buy the adapter from TST, plus my hose & fitting, and be ready to go.

 

[azcummins]

super crazy lift pump checking

Ok... I know I love my truck. It is about 10 degrees here with windchill of 0 degrees and I just went out, put in Briar Hopper's gauge and tested it out.



My pump is fine, showing 11 psi @ idle, 7 psi WOT.



This is the fitting I tapped into: Click Here



How much do you love your truck?

 

[azcummins]

Briar-

I didn't lose any prime when I plugged in my fitting. Check my pic. link to make sure I got it in the right place.



Also... are you saying I can leave the fitting plugged into the top of the filter?