Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) fuel pressure guage isolator problem

[Dsullenberger]

Ordered a Di-Pricol fuel pressure guage over 6 weeks ago form Geno's garage. Today they sent me a e-mail about a factory defect in the isolator where the diesel fuel connects to the prestone before going into the cab. Has anyone or is anyone having the same problem and also if you have this type of guage Di-Pricol 0-30 psi # DI-030FPG-W is it worth watiing for? Should I change my order to the Westach fuel pressure guage or just wait till they fix the problem? Any info would be helpful.

 

[Chipstien]

I know several guys that bought those guages over at NW Bombers. They didn't last to see the next morning. I believe some said hell with it and bought a mechanical guage. I have yet to see a manufacturer that can make a isolater that holds up to diesel.

 

[HOSS]

Do a search in the products and accessories forum about Di-Procol I have a long detailed thread about all three of the isolators I went thru before it was fixed!



However now that I have a good unit I am very happy with the gauge it reads rock solid and I like the looks of there gauges.



Good luck

Hoss

 

[BillGotthelf]

I am running two westach mechanical gauges (before and after fuel filter) and they are very accurate and I have not had a single problem.

 

[jjohn]

Dsullenberger

I waited two months for mine from Geno's, Just showed up a few days ago. I'm going to give it a try, I'll let you know. I was told they "DiPricol's source" had trouble with a batch of defective isolators? Like Hoss I like the looks..... I hope It doesn't take three for me to get it right



Hey I work in Golden also!

 

[Joe Mc]

MHO - and they work real good - lighting w/green caps matches dash. $. 02

 

[RCone]

Maybe Geno's supplier has got it right now. I know that they had to redesign the isolator. I also, had ordered from Geno's but when I read of the problems, canceled my order. I now have a Isspro Marine mechanical w/SS braided hose, no isolator, and it works super.

 

[Dsullenberger]

Thanks guys for the important information. Just got e-mail today from Geno's that the guage is being mailed. Some people I have read about in the forum have installed guage without the isolator. I think I'll install it and try it out first. Hope the lift pump is good with only 9000miles on truck.

 

[Hohn]

Originally posted by Chipstien

I know several guys that bought those guages over at NW Bombers. They didn't last to see the next morning. I believe some said hell with it and bought a mechanical guage. I have yet to see a manufacturer that can make a isolater that holds up to diesel.

I am confused. I thought mechanical gauges had the isolator! Are we talking about sending units?



I have the Enterprise Engine (Hewitt) mechanical FP gauge WITH an isolator, and it works beautifully. The isolator has a label on it as if Enterprise made it themselves; it doesn't look like it would be hard to fab. I replaced the plastic capillary tubing with braided stainless and filled it with my own concoction of water, alcohol (rubbing), dish soap, and a little antifreeze. The alcohol and antifreeze prevent freezing; the dish soap and alcohol redice surface tension so you can fill the line easily and it makes the gauge more accurate.



My setup works great, doesn't leak at all, and it's dead quiet. Don't ask me about how much fun it is to feed -4AN up through to the top left of the dash, though! It was like feeding a hard boiled egg through a straw and not mess it up any!



Hohn

 

[illflem]

People who don't like the idea of running diesel into their cabs use isolators on mechanical gauges even though a mechanical gauge works just fine without one and is apparently is just one more thing to screw up.

 

[Smokewagon]

ILLFLEM,

I agree with you! (PERSONALLY), I wouldn't have an isolator. I would rather take my chances (and did), by just running it direct. I have not have a problem with the direct set up, even running 23 psi with the pusher. I feel confident and competent enough to and did the install with NO PROBLEMS! Isn't an isolator in the 60 dollar range anyway? My idea is to save some bucks and take a chance, heck! we're takin' a chance with all the crap we pile on these trucks anyway... ..... Right? I think that alot of people get the misconception that they HAVE to have one. I think the real truth is that if you have them installed, there is a liability issue and therefore no one wants to take the chance (Paid Installers). This is my opinion only, everybody do what you will. But, I will say I really like my "Chrome" bezel, white face DiPricol ga's!



Dave

 

[GeneralMachine]

Di-Prcol Fuel Guage

I have been running mine since old santa dropped it off, Had one problem got my hose in a bind in the back of the A-Pillar, this guage look's good and is steady as a rock, imOo. Oo. With mine. Harv

 

[John Berger]

I guess it comes down to preference, but I don't like the idea of introducing fuel into the cab. I have two of these gauges back-ordered thru Geno's. Hopefully, I won't have any problems.

 

[klenger]

If you didn't use an isolator, could you put a shut-off valve under the hood for emergencies?

 

[RCone]

Isolators can go bad also, and anti-freeze could make a heck of a mess in the cab also. I will take my chances without one. However, from what I have read, if you do away with the isolator you should encase the tubing going into the truck with something on the outside, fuel line or whatever, to make sure it doesn't snag going thru the firewall or up over the radio etc (oh, the radio thing only applies if you put your gauge in the cubby like I did) . That is why I have a SS braided line on mine. Just used Permatex 2 on the fittings and no problems so far, knock on wood. But I also used an Isspro Marine gauge. I figure if it can stand up to the rigors of marine use, should work for my truck.

 

[AC]

I ordered mine in Dec. of 02. The isolator was the weak link and didn't make it through the first day. I waited until just this weak before the replacement arrived. It's installed now and working beautifully. The new and improved isolator was worth the wait and I believe they have the bugs worked out. Throughout the process both Dipricol and especially Geno's have been very helpful. I think this was just a case of trying to get something out before it was ready.



AC

 

[Hohn]

Like I said, 2 months and no problems with the Enterprise (Hewitt) set up. Isolator works as advertised.



Hohn

 

[John Berger]

RCone,



Anti freeze is a mess, but it's not flammable. Big difference. Your setup sounds like you have it covered as well as you can, though.

 

[jjohn]

Installed

I finished my Dipricol Gauge install egt, boost FP... and the fuel pressure is there, all 12 psi. I had a braided stainless hose made to go to the isolator and added a pre filter test port under the hood to check pre and post filter reading with my test gauge. I feel complete... . for now anyway.

 

[Dkevdog]

Ken- I'm sure a small 1/8 needle or ball valve could easily be installed for "emergency" use, but by the time you pull over and get that sucker shut off, I imagine you'd still have a mess.



I am probably going to run the ISSPRO EV (marine) gauge with an isolator, since they are refusing to build an electric setup. I'd much rather clean up an antifreeze leak than a diesel leak.



Kev