2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Fuel pressure guage install results in fuel leaks

[dtomala]

Hello all,



Great site - Glad I joined!!



I am not a mechanic by any means, but my daddy instilled in me this motto: "Try it yourself before you take it somewhere"



Just purchased a 99 ram 2500 with 55k miles - really nice truck (second Diesel - first was my first car, a 1980's Impala with a 350 Diesel conversion I bought for 75 bucks).



I am concerned about the fuel system based on research, so I installed a FP guage yesterday, the setup consists on a snubber (mounted on the outlet side of the filter), then a 90 deg brass npt fitting, then an 18 inch grease hose, then a 45 deg brass npt fitting, then a brass coupler to the guage (mounted under the brake lines on the brake line bracket).



Westach guage.



Guage lights, Power, readings all ok (FP is on the low side, glad I put it in).



Leaks in 2 different locations are very small, and are only observed after running the motor for at least 20 minutes:



Leak 1 - The brass 90 that goes into the snubber. I have progressively cranked down the 90 to almost bottoming out on the snubber - I can't go much further, still leaking.



Leak 2 - the elbow or coupler at the bottom of the sensor (I got 'em pretty tight, but can still crank down a bit)



I used Rectorseal #5 pipe dope on all the fittings.



Questions:



-Is it OK to drive the vehicle like this, or will I introduce air into the fuel system and screw up the inj. pump?



Option: I have thought about giving up on the remote install (remove the grease hose and such) and mount the sensor directly to the top of the snubber at the fuel filter. Is this acceptable? - From what I have read on the forum, sounds like this could cause a premature failure of the sensor?



Option: Get rid of the snubber, and mount the hose to the top of the test port?



Any Ideas - has anyone run across this before?



Thanks,



Dave

 

[VolsFan]

This is how I have my sensor ran on top of the fuel filter. I have the westach gauge as well, it is worth its weight in gold as it saved me an injection pump when my stock carter pump died on me during a hunting trip. I do not have the grease hose you are describing,the sensor as you can see is mounted directly on top of the fuel filter and I have had zero issues with it, it has been on for several years. Not sure where you located the gauge in the cab, but I have mine in the cubby hole below the airbag shutoff, the bracket was free when I ordered it from Genos. Also, if your fuel pressure is low, consider a FASS pump or other quality pump. I have the fass ddrp on the frame rail and I regularly float around the 14-15 psi range crusing, never below 9 psi wide open or pulling. The stock carter pump will fail for no rhyme or reason, and it is usually at an inconvenient time/place. Also, congrats on the new truck, 55k miles on a 99 is rare, especially a 5 spd, I couldnt find a manual trans truck to save my life when I was looking.

 

[GAmes]

Try Permatex forma gasket instead of the pipe dope.



You would only introduce air into the system if it was on the suction side.



I don't use a snubber, from what I have read, they are just a problem and cause incorrect readings. I bought a needle valve from NAPA and cracked it just enough to get a reading.

 

[dtomala]

Thanks for the info - I think i will reconfigure the sender with your setup. I am showing fuel pressure of 10 psi @ idle and 6psi at hiway speeds - I will look to add a frame mounted lift pump sometine this fall. Now I can at least monitor the pressure in case there is a failure.

 

[dtomala]

Oaky - maybe I will try the permatex sealant first - if she still leaks, then I will go to the direct mount on the filter... .



Thank you...

 

[DavidC]

Oaky - maybe I will try the permatex sealant first - if she still leaks, then I will go to the direct mount on the filter... .



Thank you...

I used Permatex # 2 (non hardening) 12 years ago and it is still there. I would not recommend mounting directly to the filter as a lot of people had problems with the sending units going bad with out the grease hose. Vibration with the solid mount was the killer if I remember right.



Dave

 

[ILIANBG]

I used the Rectorseal as the original poster, on my entire fuel system fittings, and no issue - more then 8 years on it. The product is diesel fuel rated.
The problem is somewhere else.
I also have the Westach sender directly mounted on the fuel filter cap (the metal one from Genos), and no issues for almost 9 years there- go hose.
I have a hose going from a T near the VP-44 to my Isspro isolator for my mechanical gauge. No snubbers or needle valves. No spikes in fuel pressure readings.
Ilian
Ilian

 

[dtomala]

I will try my current setup with the permatex. I have attached some pics of the setup (hope it works).



Also I picked the truck up at a volkswagen dealership - It had 55k miles on it - supposedly an 80 year old man traded it in - It is a pretty clean truck - no rust (Chicagoland salt EATS vehicles!). The underside looks brand new!



I am thinking about putting in a new LP - I have a shop near my house called "Heavy Metal Performance" near Joliet, IL - Anyone have any experience sourcing parts from them? I like to buy local when possible...