Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) FP gauge Bad?

[ichoplin]

Just wondering if anyone out there has had a Westach fuel pressure gauge go bad on them.

Here's my situation(referring to the truck in my sig-Edge Comp is in EZ mode), I've had my 16psi gauge for about two years and it's always been consistant. My truck idled at approx 14 psi and rarely went below 10psi while pulling my fifth wheel.

On Saturday, I started my truck and the gauge never got above 9psi at idle. I swapped out the lift pump(relocated to the frame) b/c I had only recently changed my fuel filter. Started the truck, idled at approx 14psi. I thought all was well. This a. m. on my way to work, the gauge showed 12psi at idle and went to 9psi w/ hardly any throttle. I changed my fuel filter today and it made no difference. I know that the difference isn't huge, but it's bothersome nonetheless.

I guess my question is, can the gauge become out of calibration? Can the isolator go bad? Could the jumper hose to the isolator have some gunk in it?

Thanks,

Ian

 

[HookMeUp]

I had this happen to me when my diaphram in my isolator blew out.

 

[turbo torque]

I had two Weatach sending units go bad in the last 10 years. The first one went for about 8 yrs, second lasted only one year . I called Genos on the second one and, they sent one out free of charge with return postage for the failed one. Both of mine were leaking around the terminals on top.

 

[DFerverda]

I lost 2 Westach electric sending units, both leaked after several months of service. I put in a mechanical isolator and gauge, no trouble since. I sometimes run bio diesel, and it eats up the plastic used in the electronic units. The isolator is from vulcan and is bio safe and works great.
The electronic sending units started to loose pressure, and do weird things when they started to drip, and the first one just went to 3-5 lbs and then quit, scared the heck out of me as i was 50 miles from home. When i got home i put a different lp on and same thing. That is when i borrowed a fp gauge and put it on the valve and the old pump was good... ..... Won't make that mistake again... . Try a test gauge 1st off then change pump if needed.

 

[DEWright]

westach guage

I have the same fuel pressure gauge and when my engine is cold I am idling around 18-20 psi and it will never get below 10psi with my foot in it. I shut it off and start it back up and the guage does the same thing yours is doing and the pressure will drop down to 4-6 psi with foot. I have changed out the sending unit and the lift pump and even had the vacuum checked and no one has the answer. Had previous code of -0216, but it was reset and has not kicked another code. No engine light or nothing. I am looking for answers too.

 

[ichoplin]

I suppose it's good to know that I'm not alone in this. I wonder if Geno's know there's an issue w/ these.

Time to shop for a mech. gauge.

Thanks,

Ian

 

[icman95]

When it's cold out, mine will drop pressure readings all the way to zero on throttle and 16 off or light throttle. When air temp warms up, all is normal. Weird.

 

[DEWright]

fuel gauge problem

I have spoken to Geno's on several occasions about this problem and they have not come up with an answer other than to try a mechanical gauge to see if the electrical one is working properly. I also spoke with Mopar Man and mentioned that it could be the return fuel relief valve that comes out of the injector pump. It said that it might have some dirt or the spring may not be working properly and if it doesn't completely close then you will definitely lose pressure. Anyone out there had any experience with this? Thanks from Texas.

 

[csamanie]

Faulty Westach sending unit

This past weekend I experienced a problem with my Westach fuel pressure gauge while pulling my 27 foot Excel fiver. The gauge needle began to go very erractic, jumping between zero and fourteen lbs. I immediately pulled over and checked my mechanical pressure gauge which reads fuel pressure before the filter. The pressure reading was normal, approximately 14 lbs. at idle. My lift pump is mounted on the frame next to the fuel tank. This Westach gauge was installed back in January of 07, and it had always worked just fine. I contacted Geno's tech line and was told I could take some ohm readings with the truck ignition off and with the truck idleing. With the truck off, ohms should read 230 to 240. With truck running at idle meter should read 37 to 47 ohms. When I took the readings I was only able to get 202 and less than 2 ohms for both readings. I called Genos back with the results and was told the sending unit was bad. I am very glad I had installed a second gauge (mechanical type) in the fuel system before the filter to verify my lift pump pressure. I am now waiting for my new sending unit from Geno's. By the way my old sending unit was out of warranty, of course.

 

[ichoplin]

I ended up insatlling an Isspro mech gauge AND it acted up too. Had to disconnect the 1/8" line and "Reset" the isolator. Who would have thought that trying to keep track of fuel pressure would take so much effort?

Ian

 

[NevadaBackroader]

Mine went bad too. I almost bought the airdog 100 to replace my in tank lift pump. Ichecked pressure with a mechanical gauge first and determined that the sender was bad. The best that Westach would do was ship the 60 dollar replacement for free. I thought this stuff was supposed to be aircraft quality.

 

[dmhollister]

mine was fluctuating on a trip to Moab over labor day and it ended up being a loose ground. Moved/cleaned ground and all was well.

 

[darkhorse]

I've had problems with the ground too. It needs to be tight!

 

[SSolderitch]

I solved my isspro mechanical gauge ploblem, it was a stuck (sticky) snubner at the gauge. I removed it - all good again. I like the needle jump with the 1 sec LP run, I don't have to watch the light, the steering wheel may be turned to block it. I don't see any irratic needle movement.