Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Fuel Pressure Gauge, WHERE?

[JRodgers]

Ok, I got an '02 model ETH truck and I havent had any lift pump problems yet. Is there a good place to tap into the fuel line to install a fuel pressure gauge? I see that some of the guys have done this, but I heard a rumor that it is easier to do on pre-'02 trucks. Is this true? Anyone have some advice on installing a fuel pressure gauge on the '02?

 

[Rob Thomas]

Do you want a permanent gauge, or just a test gauge? If you want it permanent, you can get a tapped banjo bolt from Geno's ( www.genosgarage.com ) , remove the factory banjo from either the bottom of the fuel filter, (post filter location) or from the back side of the filter (pre filter location).



If you want just a test gauge, contact www.blackmountaindiesel.com Tom will hook you up.



Later, Rob





Ooops, just noticed your new to the TDR, welcome aboard!!

 

[JRodgers]

Thanks Rob. I saw the banjo bolt in Genos and I think it mentioned something about finding yoiur own pressure fitting location on the system because it was slightly different on the '02. Perhaps I am wrong, but I cannot recall the whole thing.



As I understand it would be better to have a permanent gauge in place to monitor pressures under different conditions (ie other than idle) and watch for a minimum pressure reading of somewhere just under 8 or 9 psi. Is this correct?

 

[Bob Cochran]

I did it a little simpler way. I exchanged the banjo on the VP with scharder with the banjo without scharder on the fuel filter (post filter). Then connected to the schrader that I now have on the bottom of the fuel filter. The others suggested ways work as well.

 

[jnelson]

Ran down to Auto Zone and picked one up for $40. Works great.

 

[TXCTD]

Give Rod a shout at www.wildcatdiesel.com He can hook you up with everything you need. I got a full set of banjo bolts (5) with three of them tapped for a schrader valve fitting. Got an Isspro 0-30 psi mechanical fuel pressure guage and a braided stainless steel line with all the right fittings for hooking it up. I hooked the guage up to the banjo bolt on the bottom of the fuel filter canister and it has worked great. It's an easy hour and a half job and it is always cool to have another gauge to look at.



good luck and welcome to the TDR.

 

[Rob Thomas]

Originally posted by JRodgers

As I understand it would be better to have a permanent gauge in place to monitor pressures under different conditions (ie other than idle) and watch for a minimum pressure reading of somewhere just under 8 or 9 psi. Is this correct?

True, I like the permanent gauge myself, actually I like 2 fp gauges, pre and post filter, I love the jet fighter look on the dash. I'm not real sure why some guys just use a test gauge, to each his own I suppose.



If your going to use a mechanical gauge, (thats my recommendation) either use a needle valve, or a grease gun hose, or both, between the filter and the braided line running into the cab. It will silence all the VP's pulses, and make a very quite gauge.



Later, Rob

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by Rob Thomas

True, I like the permanent gauge myself, actually I like 2 fp gauges, pre and post filter, I love the jet fighter look on the dash.

I have a Westach dual combo fuel pressure gauge that's a perfect match for Westach's dual combo EGT/boost gauge. I believe the catalog number for the 0-16 PSIG dual combo fuel pressure gauge is 2DC3-201. By having both pre-filter and post-filter readings on one gauge, I can easily tell if a low fuel pressure condition at the VP-44 inlet is due to fuel filter plugging or lift pump problems. Both sending units are remote-mounted using Ray's banjo bolts and stainless steel-braided teflon hose - Permatex #2 on the threads.



Rusty

 

[JRodgers]

OK Guys, I think I found the answer to my own question last night after I got home and had a quick look through the TDR back issues. I found issue 36 (I think it was) had an excellent article in the Idle Clatter Column about this very installation.



The author used the Genos fuels pressure gauge kit as it is sold with the simple addition of a length of grease gun hose, or the like, between the threaded replacement banjo bolt on the VP44 to the electronic sender unit for the gauge. The gauge then is an electric pressure guage that mounts inside.



This installation addressed both problems I was getting at in my original post. (1) the gauge is an electric model mounted inside teh cab, and (2) there is an adapted banjo bolt fitting and new washers intalled with a 1/8 NPT fitting to attach to a length of grease gun hose. The grease gun hose moved the electronics and the other 'sensitive' to vibration stuff away from the engine to a remote location on the fender, or wherever.



I thought this was a pretty good way to do it. I am not sure I was correctly understanding that there was a change in the fuel filter assembly and what that change was between the 2000 and 2002 year models. The difference is that the 02 does not have a readily available test port or other plugged orifice on it in which to easily tap into the fuel system for a pressure reading. The modified banjo bolt at the injector pump inlet provides this, while the length of hose allows you to create a fairly reliable remote mount for the rest of the system. If the host fittings start leaking when you are miles from home, just unscrew it and stick a 1/8 NPT plug into the fitting and get to where you can fix it back again.

 

[jmadden]

I believe the filter assembly change from the '99 to y2k. In '99 the assembly had an aluminum top (?) with 2 removable plugs... one pre and one post filter. On the y2k and later there is a banjo before the filter, a banjo after (behind or under it I think), and a banjo w/ a Scrader valve on the VP... you should have the banjo replacement project.



jm