Giving up on Di Pricol Fuel Pressure Gauges

[jjohn]

I’m giving up on Di Pricol Fuel Pressure Gauges. Geno’s told me they wouldn’t replace it again because I have a “modified fuel system” I have a pusher pump and Aeroquip fuel line and fittings.



The first set up (3-26-03 to 6-9-04) “15 months”

Was the old style isolator and gauge it lasted quite a while but finally failed.

It was over a year and out of the 1 yr warranty, But Geno’s gave me a respectable deal on a new set up because the known problem with the old style Isolator.



The second set up (6-9-04 to 8-5-04) “almost two months” installed the new style isolator and gauge, didn’t last long fuel in the gauge. I called Geno’s told them it failed. I also told them I had a pusher pump and Aeroquip fuel line and fittings. They said they would replace it this time but it would be the “last time” due to having a modified fuel system.



The Third set up (8-5-04 to 10-11-04) “Hey I made it two months” Installed this second new style set up new Isolator and gauge but this time I installed a needle valve and barely cracked it open. Gauge Response was slow but I figured I’d make this one last as long as possible. It failed today... It doesn’t have diesel mixed into the antifreeze but failed all the same. Goes to 15 lbs and doesn’t move.



Pressure at Schrader port with mechanical test gauge reads correctly. I can run 20lbs at idle, but usually don’t. My pusher is on an in cab switch to a relay that I can activate the pusher with. The pusher also has a by pass check valve around it allowing me to run without it on. I start and sometimes run without the pusher on.



The part I don’t get is the scale goes to 0 to 30 PSI, I assume that means it would be good to 30 PSI + I run at 20lbs at the highest. I have always restricted pressure to the Isolator. The last time with the Needle valve cracked barely open. What the heck is the problem here guy’s. Anyone else have these issues? Or am I just the lucky one.

 

[SRadke]

I've had good luck with mine for almost two years now. My isolator (the square diaphram type) did rattle apart once when I had it mounted to the engine but I retorqued the bolts and moved it to the firewall and no problems since. You ever thought about buying a lottery ticket? You're luck is boud to turn arund.



-Scott

 

[JGarcia]

JJohn,

Have the actual gauges failed, or the isolator that came with them? I've wondered what happens if the isolator fails. I thought the gauge might still work except you'd now have fuel going to the gauge, like the guys that don't use isolators at all.



Thanks, JRG

 

[smcstay]

Hate to hear that. I bought one earlier this year ... no problems so far.

Was thinking about buying a couple more. I like the look of the Di Pricol and would prefer to stay with that gauge. I'll keep an eye on this thread to see what others say.

 

[jjohn]

JJohn,

Have the actual gauges failed, or the isolator that came with them? I've wondered what happens if the isolator fails. I thought the gauge might still work except you'd now have fuel going to the gauge, like the guys that don't use isolators at all.



Thanks, JRG

JRG,

Some "direct to fuel source" mechanical gauges are compatible with diesel. I have been told by Geno's that Diesel eats up the DiPricol gauge internals. (I “believe” it is in DiPricol literature not to go diesel direct). If the Isolator breaks down and Diesel gets in the gauge it's a goner.



Diesel got into my first gauge with the “old style” cylinder Isolator it becomes erratic and sometimes made a buzzing sound before failing.



Diesel also got into my second “the new style isolator” however I have to believe this is rare by the new style square diaphragm design, and the number of people who have had good luck. I had a fitting that reduced the hose size to the isolator to act as a buffer from the pulses from the VP44 in the second set up. I am tapped between the filter and VP44.



On the Third and current set up as I said before I installed a needle valve and barely cracked it open until I got the pressure reading. I’m sure I don’t have diesel in the antifreeze this time because I used Cummins premix that is quite blue in color. When diesel mixed in the first two it changed the color noticeably and of course the smell in the mix.



I don’t get it this time... . sure is frustrating. I love the appearance of DiPricol gauges and have had zero trouble with the EGT, Boost and Trans temp gauges. But It will be hard to pay out the bucks for a forth at this rate.

 

[SHobbs]

I have the same guage and isolator set up, hooked up to the schrader valve. I had a leak at the back of the guage and found it it was diesel not antifreeze. If the temps under the hood get high, like in the summer my guage will take off and go from 13psi to 30 and stay there till I shut the truck down and let it drop. I'm thinking the heat is affecting it, it won't do it when it's cooler outside. I was wondering if the isolator can be replaced or is the whole set up replaced. Most of the time I have no problems just every now and then.

 

[jjohn]

I had a leak at the back of the guage and found it it was diesel not antifreeze. . I was wondering if the isolator can be replaced or is the whole set up replaced. .

SHobbs,

I had similar behavior on my fist go round. I didn’t have the temperature condition. Is yours the square Diaphragm isolator or the old cylinder style? If you have diesel in the gauge it won’t heal up from changing just the isolator. I suspect it will just get worse.

Once diesel gets to the gauge its damaged.

 

[Pmaloney]

Mabee you guys could help me on mine, on warmer days it seems to work fine when colder (40 degrees) it goes from 5-6 psi to 0. I have not done a test with my Snap-on gauge but I believe the pump is fine I am running a 18psi 140gph Summit pump and got rid of the engine mounted carter. Has anyone ran into this problem? BTW it is a Di Pricol with the square shaped isolator. Also havent checked for diesel in the line yet

 

[JL penner]

Once diesel gets to the gauge its damaged.

Where did you get this info?? I can't find any literature that backs up this statement. I've heard of a few people that don't use isolators and have had no problems. DPP suggested that I do not use an issolator. These gauges are a stock part for CAT also. They were built for diesel.

 

[jjohn]

JL penner

Where did you get this info?? I can't find any literature that backs up this statement. I've heard of a few people that don't use isolators and have had no problems. DPP suggested that I do not use an issolator. These gauges are a stock part for CAT also. They were built for diesel.

JL penner,

Geno's Garage told me that while doing the replacement on the first DiPricol fuel gauge and isolator.

I was thinking the DiPricol instructions stated it also but haven't located mine yet so I'll take your word for it.



I was trying to contact DiPricol to ask them about my problems but haven’t found a web site, address or phone number. If anyone knows contact info for DiPricol I would sure appreciate it if you would post it.



JJ

 

[JL penner]

I got all my info from this forum. Just do a search on Dipricol fuel gauges and you'll come up with quite a bit. From what I've read people seem to have the most success with no isolator and a small valve just barely cracked open. I'm going to go with Geno's hose and then straight up to the gauge. My hose is suppose to be in on Monday, so I'll let you know if it works.

 

[rmrc]

To isolate, or not.

JL penner,



Looking forward to your next post. I'm just about ready to order my Di Pricol gauges and I also wanted to install the fuel pressure gauge without the isolator.

 

[ramman2u]

i have my di pricol fuel gauge hook up direct to the the vp. iv had no probs. been like that for 8 months now.

 

[thmck]

Dannion Gages 1-714-894-0600

 

[JL penner]

ramman2u,

Do you get the pulsing like some people have talked about?

 

[jjohn]

I got all my info from this forum. Just do a search on Dipricol fuel gauges and you'll come up with quite a bit. From what I've read people seem to have the most success with no isolator and a small valve just barely cracked open. I'm going to go with Geno's hose and then straight up to the gauge. My hose is suppose to be in on Monday, so I'll let you know if it works.

JL,

Did a search, read a few posts, I see what you are saying.



I don’t know what to think now. If diesel does not break down the internals of the gauge as I was told…. I guess I have a spare.



Could be my problems are Isolator issues only.



I am not fond of the running Diesel fuel in the cab idea. HOSS had two bad isolators before getting a good third. What a royal pain in the @$$

 

[jjohn]

Well

I hooked up my original gauge (from the old style isolator set up) under the hood tonight. Started her up with the test gauge also hooked up to a schrader port. Worked like a champ Diesel direct! Followed the test gauge perfectly, although it was reading 1/2 lb. less.

 

[JL penner]

Test guage must be off It couldn't be the DiPricol... . LOL

 

[WatsonJ]

Gave up on my Westach fuel pressure guage

I gave up on mine. Never ever could get it to work. Genos tech support was

very helpful but no luck regardless of what I tried. (different wiring & grounds) etc. I bought the special hose also. Should have sent it back

for credit, (got tired & bored with it) now just useless gauge in cab.

 

[ramman2u]

JL , i have not seen any pulsing on the gauge. I'v had no probs. with my set up at all