fuel filter vacuum gauge

[tmarti96]

I just installed a Prime-Loc system and now seems like the time to install either (1), a vacuum gauge to monitor the condition of my filter or (2) fuel pressure gauge to monitor lift pump, or BOTH. Not sure how to hook up either one. Anyone ever done this. I have 95 Ram 3500, AT and most of the goodies. Thanks.

 

[swamp rat]

tmarti,

Did you get your P-Loc from Geno's? If you did you might have noticed the indicator they offer that installs on the forward edge of the remote filter head. It is sliding type tube gauge that shows green while the filter is in the 5psi range of restriction. It easily screws on with a series of restrictor plates, seals, and allen type screws over the two 1/8 ports in the front edge. The downside is it doesn't actually give a reading in PSI before or after the filter. It is only an indicator warning when the differential between pre and post filter pressures is more than 5psi.



In essence it serves a similar purpose as the Filter Minder on the airbox.



As for an analog pressure gauge, I was told the same two ports that the above gauge uses can also be used to plumb in a regular PSI gauge, but for whatever reason electric gauges (specifically the sending units) don't last very long on the 12V's.

 

[tmarti96]

fuel filter vac gauge

Swamp Rat,

I boiught my Prime-Loc direct from factory. Surely I can get this indicator from them or Genos', don't you think. Is that what those two small ports are for on the forward side of the filter head? thanks. (Volunteers did OK yesterday!!)

 

[swamp rat]

Thats exactly what those two ports on the front are for, and yes Geno's has the restriction gauges for about $34 and change IIRC.



The outboard port would be used for prefilter pressure, and the inboard port is for post filter. I'd still like to install pressure gauges pre and post just for my own peace of mind, but as many have noted the 12Valvers are notoriously tough on electric gauge senders. Guess I'll have to wait till someone makes a decent quality sender that will take the beating.



BTW, I'm not much of a Big Orange or Titan(ic)s fan, but hockey season is nigh upon us. Pre-season starts a week from tomorrow night. Reg. Season starts in 30 days and ends in 225 days and I'm sufferin' withdrawals since Bourqe and crew raised the cup! Go Preds!

 

[BV]

I've seen refernce to some folks using 2 guages to read the pressure before and after the filter. I don't know what the would be an acceptable difference 1, 2, 3 pounds?

 

[swamp rat]

IIANM, I believe anything more than a 5psi drop thru the filter means the filter is clogging and is nearing replacement time. The restriction gauge that Geno's sells is supposed to be set to go from green to red with a 5psi drop. Mine has never budged even with the sludge my pump was sucking up before I dropped the tank, but the power and performance went in the toilet. The intank prefilter, and fuel heater prefilter were almost entirely clogged with algae and crud. I may cut open that first filter just to see how nasty it was.