Problems w/ Westach Fuel Pressure Sending Unit

[Wiredawg]

I just had my Westach 16 psi fuel pressure sending unit start leaking fuel out of one of the lugs. This is the third one in five years to leak. Westach replaced it twice, but assured me the last time they had the problem solved. This one made it three years. This is very frustrating as the leaks are messy, reauire downtime while I resolve the issue. If Westach replaces this one, I may buy a spare. I will let everyone know the outcome.



Anyone else have problems with this unit?



Wiredawg

 

[FourBarR]

5 years on my West Tach gauges. No problems with senders or gauges. One burned out bulb. Where are your senders mounted. Mine is on a custom backett on the master cylinder,connected with a stainless steel braided hose which is fire sleeved.

 

[Pavemen]

no issues with the one i've had for three years now

 

[Joe G.]

If you have it mounted on the engine the vibration may be the cause of the leaks. Better to mount it on the firewall or some other place that does not vibrate. I use a grease gun hose for mine. It's mounted on the fender well near the firewall. My Westach sender has lasted many years with no problems.

 

[jkalchik]

I also have a Westach set of senders, mounted off of the M/C bracketry. I have a grease gun hose for both fuel and oil pressure. I very specifically did not bleed the air out, and due to the vertical mounting, there should always be an air bubble under the sender in the hoses. Been working fine for 3+ years.

 

[Wiredawg]

Thanks for all the hits. Mine is mounted to the firewall by the master cylinder. Westach mentioned they had problems w/ seals under the terminals in the past. No vibration issues. Just lucky, I guess. No word back from Westach yet but will share info if I hear from them.



Wiredawg

 

[Joe G.]

Do you have a needle valve or something to kill the pressure spikes to the sending unit? I use a needle valve that is open enough so that the pressure gauge barely works.

 

[Wiredawg]

Joe,



Not sure what you're talking about... do you have a picture? Just having a hard time figureing out what is killing the seal and why the seal is vulnerable. I found a ball valve to put on the hose so I can remove the sending unit and use the truck again. It is the seals under the terminals that fail.



I haven't heard from Westach, but I did go ahead and order one from Genos.



Thanks, Wiredawg

 

[Joe G.]

Oops. I got the idea somehow that you have a 12 valve. The mechanical lift pump on a P7100 equipped engine is really tough on fuel pressure gauges because of pressure spikes.

 

[Wiredawg]

All,



I received this reponse to my e-mail to Westach about thier sending units:

The 387-16V2-C is a resistive sender that has a rubber diaphragm inside. As you have experienced the rubber and diesel fuel don't get along too good.



I did find that we sent you a replacement pressure sender back in February of 2004, and also in 2003. I wasn't here at that time, and I don't know what they told you about the leakage problem.



The only alternative to the problem I can suggest is converting to the KV pressure transducer (which has a steel diaghragm so diesel can't make it deteriorate as quick) . The conversion of the gauge cost $45 (I will wave) and the transducer cost $255. 00.



Other wise I can offer you a 20% discount off of another of the resistive type pressure senders which is $46. 32 ( $57. 90 list), but you will have the same problem again.





Thank you,

Candace

Westberg Mfg

707-938-2121

3400 Westach Way

Sonoma, CA 95476​

The previous reps from Westach never mentioned this... they just replaced the unit for me. Here is my response:

Candice,



Thank you for the response. It would probably be helpful to list the compatibility issues the sender has w/ diesel, since many of us use these for monitoring lift pump pressures. I already ordered a replacement from Genos and installed a ball valve on the hose feeding it when the new sender fails. I will experiment w/ different types of gaskets/washers w/ the one I just took off to see if I can contain the leak.



It seems like your company could produce an affordable composite gasket on this sender that is more resistive to diesel. I will let you know if I will upgrade to the different sender/gauge.



Thank you again,​

I already received my replacement from Genos and installed a ball valve on the fuel line feeding the sending unit. I sent the two previously failed units to Westach, so I never really examined them. Since the gasket seal referenced is internal, not sure I can stop leak by using steel washer w/ gasket material. I'm not sure i will test this until the new one fails. Pretty interesting, huh?



Wiredawg

 

[turbo torque]

I'v had the same problem, first one went 3-4 years, second one only 11 months, I just bought the second one , but when it went with only 11 mo. I called genos and they sent a new one right away (no charge) & wanted the old one back.



When mine was leaking the gauge did not read correct



It's mounted on a master cyl stud

 

[SKuyper]

I know this is an old post but, I found it interesting. The big rig company Freightliner, uses a fuel pressure gauge inside the cab to monitor the fuel pressure on the clean side of the fuel filter as an indicator of fuel filter condition. You might call a Freightliner dealership and talk to the parts department about their sending unit for FLD120 model Freightliner over the road trucks

 

[Wiredawg]

Thanks. Always looking for a better way.



Wiredawg