Briarhoppers Lift Pump Test Gauge

[Briar Hopper]

Yes, Mark, you can leave that fitting in there. That's the beauty of the whole thing. Now you have a Schraeder instant test port, just like the 2000-2002 trucks do, only theirs is on the injection pump. I'm happy your pressure checked out okay.

Uh, I'm not sure if you picked the right plug to put the valve fitting into, I think the one on the left MIGHT be the post filter test port. But either one will give you an accurate reading. One is pre-filter the other post-filter.

 

[azcummins]

So if the one on the left is the post filter and the one on the right is the pre filter, then I should be able to swap between them and see if my Fuel filter is dead? Seems like my buddy's big rig had a gauge like this showing the fuel flow across the filter... hmm... another BOMB mod! Woohooo!! Oo.

 

[Don M]

azcummins,

Something like two pounds is the max for pressure drop across the element.



Briar,



Do you make this set-up with a 50 pound gauge? I wonder if the shcreader valve is threaded at 1/8-28 pipe thread? Is the filter housing metric since it is a Cummins product and dern near everthing they make now is metric? Sorry for all the questions. Just trying to help out the 12 valve crowd and you too.

Im thinking that if the schrader valve is pipe thread... we got it made and the 50 or 60 pound gauge is easy to get too.

I want something that is fast to test my pressure with. This seems perfect.



Don~

 

[Briar Hopper]

azcummins: In 2 weeks, I'll bring you a second fitting for the other port, it'll be better to have 2 on there, rather than keep removing & installing the fittings and plugs. We don't want to chance leaks.

Don M. , I believe I can get the 50 or 60 psi gauges, It'll be Wednesday before I'm off work, and free to go see what's available at my supply house.

I'll have access to a couple of 12 valve trucks soon, and will post my findings on here.

 

[azcummins]

Briar-

thanks for the second fitting. I'll get creative and see if I can rig up a gauge to see the drop in filter pressure.

 

[rashwor]

Briar

Briar,



would you mind including two fittings with my gauge when you send it? I will be glad to send you another check for the cost of the fitting. Seriously!Oo. Oo.

 

[RBerry]

Tom,

Check is in the mail. I'll go with the #30 lb. gauge and two fittings,so I can check pre. & post filter.

Thank's

Bob

 

[Briar Hopper]

Friends, I'm getting requests/questions about using this set up on a full-time basis. I really recommend against doing so. First, Cummins says not to (with any test gauge set up) and second, while the hose I'm using is incredibly durable, I have no idea if the gauge itself will be good for continuous use. Although they are excellent quality gauges, not junk, and are built for industrial use.

There are several ways available that a permanent gauge from AutoMeter, Isspro, or Nordskog can be hooked up. The good folks at Advanced Diesel Technology www.smokindiesel.com can set you right up , or I can sell you a kit that has hose and fittings, for remote-mounting a sending unit for any of the electric fuel pressure gauges.

 

[Briar Hopper]

rashwor, RBerry, consider it done. Two fittings each, coming right up ! Oo.

 

[azcummins]

Hey I need one too! Oo.

 

[SnoKing]

Received gauge

I received my gauge today. Works good and I have 15Lbs at idle. I have 7359 Miles on truck. Thanks







SNOKING

 

[dramer]

Great Product

Send out 2 to ATS this is a great tool that we can use and look forward to letting more people know about it.



Don

 

[rashwor]

Briar

You da' man! Thanks for the two adapter fittings! I may be one of the few, but I just want to do periodic checking till I get my permanent gauges. I am looking for a permanent set of guages to be mounted in the cab on the A-pillar, but in the mean time, this is a great device for periodic checking.



Thanks for your time and help!

 

[Briar Hopper]

No problem, Don, two gauges coming right up. Do you want priority mail or personal delivery? Seriously, I won't hit the road without having quite a few on hand with me.

 

[beartrace]

I was just looking at the 2000 Service Manual (pg 14 - 70). It says the "inlet" test port on the fuel filter should be a minimum of 10 psi at idle. It then says to perform a pressure drop test by connecting to the "outlet" test port on the injection pump. The pressure on the "outlet" port should not be more that 5 psi lower than the "inlet" port. If it is, replace the fuel filter.



This is a pretty wide range between the two test ports. It seems like it should be more like a difference of 2 - 3 psi. Anybody have any experience with this pressure drop test?

 

[azcummins]

beartrace-

Did it say which one was the inlet/outlet port. I'm guessing that the one closest to the inlet hose is the inlet port and vice versa for the other port.

 

[beartrace]

Mark, On the 2000 Turbo, I think the test ports are in different locations than the 98. 5-99. The inlet test port is on the back of the fuel filter and the outlet test port is on the injection pump.

 

[KatDiesel]

Tom -



You got e-mail.



Since your making it available for the 12v crowd too, and not everyone reads this forum I am gonna move this to the Products forum, that way its most likely to be seen by both crowds.

 

[ISB RAMBO]

Tom, got your test setup yesterday - real nice and easy to use! Did the full test with the existing fuel filter (approx. 10K miles on it) with the following results:

Pre-filter idle = 13#'s, post filter = 11#'s.

Pre=filter WOT = 6#'s. post filter = 4#'s.

Other than the obvious that the fuel filter is marginal and should be replaced, is the pressure low enough to require a new lift pump? Sure seems like it is on the low end of being marginal. After reading the various posts of reliability problems with other setups and brands of pumps, it sure is frustrating to figure what to do. Thanks again Tom!

Stan

 

[Briar Hopper]

Thanks for the kind words, Stan, glad I could help. Well, as for your pressures, I hate to say it, but based on my experience with the previous 3 lift pumps, as well as my fourth one, I'd say your pump is marginal. It may go out soon. On the other hand, this fourth pump I'm on has shown pressures somewhat identical to yours for the past 4 months. It didn't drop below 6 psi. on a WOT

run until a couple weeks ago. The pressure at idle varies between 12 and 14, it seems to prefer 12. I believe it'll last me until I get my replacement fuel system in. I'm working on a cost-effective replacement system I can sell to others. It may be another month before I have it ready, if at all.