Westach is First Rate!

[Wiredawg]

Guys:



Westach is going to replace my fuel pressure sending unit at no charge and will let me return the old one after I get the new one.



I'm running two fuel pressure gauges and sending units (pre and post filter). A couple of days ago, I smelled fuel so I popped the hood to check it out. Fuel was leaking out of the positive terminal on one of my fuel pressure sending units. I remove the terminal wire nut and tightened the base nut. Still leaked. I unscrewed the base nut almost off and put all-temp RTV and replaced everything. No more leak, but post filter pressure now reads 8 lbs vs the normal 15lbs.



I e-mailed Westach for technical expertise and they offered to replace for free. They said return the old one after the I install the new one.



Guys, this is real customer service. Way to go!





Wiredawg

 

[RustyJC]

Yeah, I've probably replaced 6 or more in 2 years.



Rusty

 

[Wiredawg]

Wow!

Rusty:



That's surprising! I hadn't noticed any threads about problems or failures on these. Did you have problems with fule leaking out of the terminals or was it something else?



Wiredawg

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Given the harsh hydraulic pulsations emitted by the VP44 it's not surprising they fail regularly, especially on the post-filter side. When I had my 2001 I ran an Autometer mechanical gauge with small-bore tubing into the cab and didn't have a bit of trouble and it cost only $35. The only thing you can do is run a length of rubber tubing some distance to your sending units so the pulsations are dampened.



I didn't see the need to monitor pre-filter pressures because if pressure dropped off post filter, I could hook a mechanical on prefilter to determine if it was a bad filter or lift pump. But having both is more convenient I'll give you that, but then if you're always having gauge trouble that's a moot point.



Vaughn

 

[RustyJC]

Wiredawg,



I have a combo dual Westach fuel pressure gauge reading both pre-filter and post-filter fuel pressure. I've probably failed 6-7 sending units on the post-filter side and 1 that I can recall on the pre-filter side, and that's with the post-filter side running a gauge snubber.



A couple of the post-filter sending unit failures showed up as erratic gauge readings, but most were as you describe - I smelled diesel fuel, opened the hood to look and the sending units were dripping around the terminal posts.



I've actually gotten to the point that I carry 1-2 spare sending units along with the tools to change them out in the truck's toolbox.



Rusty

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Rusty how do you have your sending units set up?



EDIT: I just saw you said you had a snubber

 

[RustyJC]

Vaughn,



Senders are mounted on the firewall next to the master cylinder. I have AN -4 braided stainless steel covered teflon lines running from Ray's banjo bolts on the fuel filter inlet and outlet banjo fittings to the sending units. As I said, the post-filter sending unit has a WWGrainger gauge snubber mounted between the sender and the supply pressure hose.



Rusty

 

[rweis]

I just had a Westach post filter fp sender go erratic. They replaced it no charge.



I have mine on a 18" ss line and thought that would help. I asked Westach about it and they thought the 18" line should be sufficient.



If the snubber is not sufficient, ideas?



I do see odd behavior out of the post gauge if I really get down on the go pedal. The next couple of minutes the post will read higher than the pre. Then it settles down to normal (post ~ 1/2# less than pre).



I thought the same thing about the VP hammering the sensor. I run the solid state sensors (KV) and thought that would take care of it, but maybe not.



Bob Weis

 

[Thomas]

I have 45,000+ miles on a pair of Westach senders that feed a dual fuel pressure gauge. The senders are screwed into a piece of aluminum bar stock. The plumbing between Ray's banjo bolts at the inlet and outlet of the transfer pump and the aluminum bar stock is eighth-inch fuel line. Zero problems so far. I see no indication of pulsations.

 

[RJOL]

My Westach FP gauge has been in my truck for over three years with no problems. Ran a rubber hose from the VP44 (banjo bolt) over to the top of the front wheel well (under the hood). If I'd had to replace this as much as RustyJC has... I would have gotten a different setup...

 

[robobx]

Originally posted by RustyJC

Wiredawg,

I have a combo dual Westach fuel pressure gauge reading both pre-filter and post-filter fuel pressure.

Rusty

do you happen to have the part # for this guage? I have been looking for this guage, and have not been able to locate it in a catalog or on-line.



thanks for you help!

Rob

 

[Thomas]

Westberg Manufacturing (Westach) will make any dual gauge you want. You must call them for the dual fuel pressure gauge. Here is their 2DC3-201.

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by robobx

do you happen to have the part # for this guage? I have been looking for this guage, and have not been able to locate it in a catalog or on-line.



thanks for you help!

Rob

Westach part number 2DC3-201 as I recall - don't go to the bank on that. Westberg Manufacturing will confirm the actual part number when you work with them to place your order. Mine is an exact match for the Westach dual combo EGT/boost gauges but is 0-16 psig. In retrospect, I should have ordered a 0-30 as mine stays pegged both pre and post filter at idle - it only drops to 15 psig at cruise and 12-13 at WOT. I think that's a lot of my problem that I've had with my 0-16 psig sending units.



Rusty

 

[rweis]

I had Westach make me a 0-30/0-30 psi KV gauge and used their KV 30 psi senders. I see 16 psi at idle and 14 running unless I am towing then as low as 12 pulling uphill 2500 rpm O/D out.



I had one of the senders on the post filter fail which they replaced immediately. I am wondering about the post filter and the VP if it can kill the sender?, or the sender "went bad through use"



Bob Weis

 

[robobx]

thanks for all the help guys, I greatly appreciate it!

 

[Hemiless]

Might look at Soild-state transducer.

I know it takes a different model gauge then most of you guys are currently running but if you are having sending unit failure you might look at getting the westach gauges that run the solid-state transducers. This information might not help some of you who have already bought gauges but for those of you looking to purchase westach gauges it seems as though the solid-state fuel pressure gauges would be a good investment. Here is a link for them.



Solid-state Transducer

 

[rweis]

That's what I run (KV versions), see prior post.



Bob Weis

 

[donyo]

I've only had my Westach 0-30 for about 6 months now and so far no problems. I taped the -6AN fuel line just outside the VP-44 with an Aeroquip port fitting and then installed a small brass shut off valve, which connects to 1/8" tubing (same type used for boost gauge) that then goes to the sender. Only open the valve just enough to see pressure on the gauge. This reduces/eliminates the effect of the VP pulsations. BTW - also have a small mechanical gauge teed into the line just before the sending unit as a backup.

 

[HMatson]

I'm new to the CTD, but this is what I did to cure the same problem on an older(new then) mechanical Cat 3406: I taped a fitting for a screw, loctite it in place and cut it flush. Then drilled it out with a #80 wire drill and may have peened that nearly shut. I found an aluminum machine screw to make it easier to drill. It solved the problem on that engine, and should on the CTD. The gage will be slower to respond, but that is not a problem, as the pressure rarely needs to be sampled often.