Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) mechanical fuel pressure gauge...

[THenningsen]

can someone recommend a mechanical fuel pressure gauge and where to buy it? How much am i looking at spending? Are they easy to install? Thanks



Todd

 

[Hohn]

I'm happy with my Hewitt gauge from Enterprise Engine Performance.



I'd suggest NOT using an isolator, as they all seem to eventually fail. You may get some guage noise (from the fuel conducting the pressure spikes) that can be remedied with a small needle valve inline.



Grease gun hose is 1/8" pipe thread, same as most gauge taps, and seems to be a popular gauge hose lead.



I think mine ran about $60ish, but I don't remember.



I'd strongly recommend the socketless hose from Aeroquip, and use the -AN adapters to rig up your gauge.



Properly done, there is no leakage and no worry of failed sending units. Mechanical is the way to go.



Justin

 

[KTobin]

I installed a complete kit from Piers. ISSPRO mechanical guage, issolator, hose and all fittings. Mine has worked flawlessly since I put it in. I suggest that you DO use their issolator as it is a quality item as far as I'm concerned and it would be foolhearty to run a strait fuel line into your cab. However, to each his own. Here's a link to contact them by.



http://www.piersdiesel.com/ContactUs.htm

 

[DwayneKelch]

Todd,



I installed a mechanical fuel pressure gauge, without isolator, two years and 40K miles ago... have experienced zero problems. Oo. Connected fuel line, via a needle valve, on post side of fuel filter housing. As my truck is a 2001. 5, I installed Isspro EV gauges (with orange pointers) because they matched the factory instrumentation better. Also, get the bulb covers to help match dash lighting. Don't remember price, but ordered through Wildcat Diesel (now out of business... :{ ). Good luck!



Get a 30psi gauge.





Dwayne

 

[Hohn]

Mine has worked flawlessly since I put it in. I suggest that you DO use their issolator as it is a quality item as far as I'm concerned and it would be foolhearty to run a strait fuel line into your cab. However, to each his own. Here's a link to contact them by.



http://www.piersdiesel.com/ContactUs.htm

Be advised that most isolators use an ethylene glycol (engine coolant) mixture to conduct the pressure to the gauge.



WHEN, not if, the isolator fails (diesel eats the diaphragm, and the pressure spikes beat at it), the engine coolant will mix with the fuel, and this coolant/fuel mixture will be ingested by your delicate VP44 and fuel injection system.



Properly done, there's nothing "foolhearty" about running it into the cab. Feel free to search for posts where fuel has leaked into the cab from running a mechanical gauge. Good luck.



The happy Fool,



Justin

 

[DwayneKelch]

Justin, I agree.



Just about every diesel power plant I worked in used mechanical gauges... connected directly to the source. Didn't matter if it was glycol (treated water), oil, fuel, air, etc. Some of these plants were 30+ years old, seldom did I ever discover a leak at the gauge.



On the flip side, on smaller portable generators, I replaced loads of electrical sending units because they failed (very few hours on them). Whether a sending unit or isolator, I'm a little apprehensive about relying on what's transmitted (mechanically or electrically) to the gauge. Something may malfunction between the time the source (fluid/air) enters the unit and what's sent to the gauge. And of course, the gauge could malfunction too. At least there's one less component to focus on.



Routine maintenance and inspection is the key to reliability

 

[KTobin]

Justin, I apologize if you took offence to my post. I wasn't challenging you. I think the practice is "foolhearty" not you personally. After a collision, dash fires are not completely uncommon and I would prefer not to have a direct fuel line into my cab in the event that I meet up with this scenario. Especially if my truck is still running. The model that I recommended has no measurable pressure spikes as it uses a transparent 1/8 OD poly hose. I respect your opinion though I felt that Todd may have wanted more than one.