How-To for cheapy fuel pressure gauge

[Briar Hopper]

I'm getting deluged with emails asking about my cheap fuel pressure tester, so it's time to post it on here. This mostly applies to 2001 & up, any older, you may need to modify fittings on the hose to fit your test ports.

It'll work if you have a Schraeder test port on the injection pump, like what comes stock on the 2001's.

I used a cheap $5 air pressure gauge, 0-30psi, with a 1/8NPT stem, mated to a 5' long refrigerant reclamation hose. The hose, which can be purchased in a variety of lengths & fittings at any air conditioning supply house, came with a female Schraeder (Mrs. Schraeder? ) fitting on one end, and a 1/8 NPT male fitting on the other end. I simply used a brass 1/8 NPT coupling to link the gauge to the hose.

You can always drag the stoopid parts counterman outside to show him the fitting on your injection pump, which will give him a general idea of what you're trying to do. Try to resist the temptation to slam his head into the fender, you need his help to get this done.

When done assembling the hose(I recommend teflon tape on all pipe threads, but don't use too much, and don't leave any strands hanging down inside fittings) you can tape the gauge to your windshield, and go for a drive. Not a good idea to leave it hooked up for extended periods.

Give Advanced Diesel Technology www.smokindiesel.com a call, they'll hook ya up with a permanent gauge set up.

Disclaimer: I'm not affiliated with ANY diesel performance shop.

 

[Steve Campbell]

Briar, I agree with all that you said except for the teflon tape on the threads. I tried that myself (different application yet still next to diesel) and the diesel "eats up" the teflon tape and sooner or later, ..... leaky mess. Great Idea on the hook up to the Mr. Shraeder valve with the "Mrs. Shreader" valve.

 

[MikeR]

I've had the exact same test gauge setup for over a year now. I got my pressure test gauge from Tool Town here in the Seattle area. They were $12 bucks. The shraeder fitting for the 2000-2001 trucks came from the a/c supply place, and the 1/8 pipe fiting for the 98-99 trucks came from Napa. I have a quick release hose clamp (sqeeze type with small handles) to switch the fittings for the different test ports.



I take it to our NW BOMBer get togethers and have found several dead lift pumps.



-Mike

 

[Briar Hopper]

Steve, brass fitting-to-brass fitting is usually quite a good seal in my experience. I work with such fittings in my maintenance job, and don't often use teflon tape between brass fittings. Brass to steel, that's another story.

Second your motion to move elections to April 16th, starting with Kentucky.

 

[Briar Hopper]

264 views as of this moment, and nobody's got anything to say? Taking this back to the top.

 

[Extreme1]

Originally posted by Briar Hopper

You can always drag the stoopid parts counterman outside to show him the fitting on your injection pump, which will give him a general idea of what you're trying to do. Try to resist the temptation to slam his head into the fender, you need his help to get this done.

LMAO!!! Very hard to resist the temptation.



What really gets me going is when they ask "What's it for?" and then explain to you that they can't look up that part for that application. Just had it happen last week, I need a cad plated steel bushing (still looking too) and the guy asks "What's it fit?" My responce went something like "It's a bushing for the mounting bolt on an aftermarket snowcross ski, you won't have a listing. " Then, to address the coma look on his face I said, "Snowcross?, Snowmobiles? Like on TV?"



Two minutes later he asks:"What's it fit?"

 

[Bigsaint]

Nice job Briar !!! I was going to make one out of a unused Jegs 0-30 1 1/4" liquid filled gauge, coupled with the left over fittings I had after I upgraded my lines. Was going to just throw it to the first needy member with the idea of the pay it forward thread, being that he or she would pass it on to the next member as needed. Didn't seem to much interest so I scraped the idea.



I didn't know that they made Mrs. Schrader valves, do they pi$$ and moan if your FP readings are too low .



Scott W.

 

[Briar Hopper]

Thanks Scott W. , that's a generous offer. Whatever works, go for it. Maybe some of our new members can take you up on that offer. I'm willing to make up a few to sell at cost if any members want one they can keep. The best solution is STILL to get a complete set of gauges installed. To this end, hooking up with a local club, or attending a few diesel events, will help our new members learn a lot, and even get help on any installations.

Dunno about the sound effects of a "Mrs. " , I ain't been married for 14 years, and besides, being deaf, I've never had to listen to ANY woman. On the other hand, I hafta look at 'em to see what they're saying, and I suppose that's worse...

 

[TxDieselKid]

TTT

I am posting this for all to see again because it's something that needs to be done. Kida like the "Proper ISB BOMB" Ted J. thread. Also someone in the chat is haveing problems that sound like a bad lift pump.



Andrew

 

[Briar Hopper]

I'd be willing to make up these gauges for anyone who wants one, and mail it, for what it costs me. Except, mine is made to fit 2001's, and I don't think it'll work on '00's and older, I'll have to chase down one of those year trucks, and see what kind of fittings it would take. Still, it's easy enough to make yourself. All you need can be found at an HVAC supply store.

It's a nice handy item to check the FP on friend's trucks, as well as on yours, in between blowing AutoMeters and waiting for the replacement to arrive.

 

[Wolfgang]

I have a 2001 and would definitely be interested. Don't have a place in the truck yet for a permanent fuel pressure gauge but would like to check the pressure right now just in case.

 

[LSMITH]

Tom, I have made a tester that I use on my 99, it will work on 98 too. I am not sure what filter housing is on a 00, but if it has the 1/8" NPT mine will work on them too.



I take a 1/8" NPT male x 1/4 nylon tube fitting (Parker Presto-Lok) and screw it into the filter housing, both ports for pre and post filter are 1/8" NPT. I have a cheapy air gauge like yours and used a 1/4" brass coupling with a 1/4" NPT male x1/4" nylon tube fitting (Parker Presto-Lok) with about 5 feet of nylon tubing that just pushes into the fitting on the housing. The tubing is long enough to get the guage up on the windshield. Total cost without the gauge is about $7. The local Parker house will have all of the fittings on the shelf as they are very common.



The tester was paid for in short order as I test for restriction now rather than just changing fuel filters, I have gotten at least 25K miles out of filters that would have been changed.



The gauge setup like mine will also work for testing the pressures on automatic transmissions too with one more $3 fitting, the transmission ports are 1/4" NPT. The tubinng is about 30 cents per foot retail, so it is cheap enough to get a pile of it, then you do not need a helper for road tests on the transmission.



Hope this helps.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

98. 5-99 trucks use just an 1/8" NPT fitting in the top of the filter housing. '00+ trucks have the schraeder valve fitting like Tom's truck.

 

[Briar Hopper]

Thanks, Smitty, and Steve. I couldn't remember, here's why: I tested the pressure on Thiessen's truck at Scheid's last fall, just one of several I tested, and I believe he told me it was an '00, and it had the 1/8NPT port at the top of the filter housing.

So, somebody's wrong on the year, most likely me, but I'd still like confirmation. No biggie, though, whoever emails me asking for a gauge to be made & sent to them, they'll be able to tell me what they have.