Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Fuel Pressure Readings?

[BigMike]

I had an AutoMeter electronic fuel pressure guage installed today. It reads 9 psi at idle and around 6 psi cruising at normal speed. It never goes above 10 psi and never drops below 4 psi. According to the local diesel shop, those are normal readings. Said if it ever got down around 3 psi or less, I've probably got a problem. Is he right?

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

At what point in the fuel system have you installed your sender?

 

[BigMike]

Good question Gary. Don't know the answer though. I'd have to check with the installer. Would location make that much of a difference?

 

[JPLB22]

It does matter where your sender is located. Just for instance, if your sender is mounted pre-filter, than your VP44 is actually receiving a little less pressure than what your gauge is showing ( maybe a lot less if your filter where to be clogged ). IMHO the safest place to mount is right at the fitting on the VP44. Then there is no guess work involved in figuring out how much pressure is reaching the VP44.



Also IMHO, your readings sound a little low. I replaced my LP and added a Wildcat Max Flow Kit when my readings where as follows



Idle: 13. 5 psi

Freeway : 9. 5 psi

WOT: 6 psi



You will hear varying opinions on what the low end of the safe range is for fuel presure.



Good Luck !!



Jeff



P. S. It was the freeway and WOT pressures that had me concerned in my situation. My idle pressure was just fine. Also my truck did and still does have stock fueling, no BOMBS yet .

 

[BigMike]

Talked to the installer. The sender is located at one of the ports into the fuel filter housing where the fuel comes in. I assume that would make it pre-filter. That being the case, are my readings normal?

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Sounds a little low - mine right at the VP-44 ran 16 PSI at idle, and dropped to about 10 under full load before installing the Carter pusher pump - in your case, reading ahead of the fuel filter MIGHT be higher than what is actually reaching the VP-44, depending on the condition of the filter...

 

[BigMike]

Just put a new filter in last week.

 

[csutton7]

Big Mike--there are two ports on the top of the fuel filter cannister--they are plugged with a bolt type plug--is your guage in the forward(towards front of truck) most port(this is the best-post filter) or is it in the other port(pre filter)---if it's in the forward most port then you are set---chris

 

[BigMike]

It's on the pre-filter port Chris. The one towards the back.