Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Westec FP sender problems

[easleyj1]

I have replaced the sending unit on my Westec fuel pressure gauge three times in the last year. They all start leaking at the seam where the top and bottom halves of the unit join. I use a grease gun hose tapped in with a tapped banjo bolt at the fuel line inlet at the injection pump. The hose runs up to the airhorn and is mounted simi-ridgidly. It is a 16 psi unit and is reading 15 psi at idle and 10 WOT. Is there some problem with my installation? I'm at a loss and would like to come to some conclusion before ordering a new sender or different brand gauge. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.



Jonny

 

[Bob Wagner]

I had mine plumbed off the outlet of the filter and now its mounted midway between the filter and vp44



same sender over 3 years.



maybe being so close to the vp44 inlet is giving your sender to much pulsation.

 

[nps]

Are you twisting the can when you tighten the grease gun hose? I had mine on the VP schrader until I redid my banjos. Now its between the FF and VP, but leak free after 1 yr. It is also a 16psi model.



After re-reading your post, another difference is that my sender is on my fender well, not on the engine. You are picking up more vibs off the engine.

 

[Texas Diesel]

http://turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118389&highlight=westech+carry+plug



After 4 leaking senders I gave up and got a Isspro mechanical gauge. I use a braided steel hose too.

 

[easleyj1]

Negative on twisting the can always very careful and use the wrench sparingly on the fitting. I had thought about a mechanical gauge but wasn't real happy about a fuel line in the cab and also wouldn't it require a snubber to read properly? If a big line kit would solve this problem that would be great. The Westec senders are pricey and run about half the price of a complete set up from another brand. It may very well be pulsation that is killing them. I just wondered if others with Westec were having any problems.



Jonny

 

[Texas Diesel]

Did you follow the link I posted above?

 

[Bob Wagner]

mine is a westach sender

 

[RCrosby]

i been having a 16psi westech for about 1 year, the only problem i had was air in the lines going to sender. i have it plumb from inlet of vp-44 to sender, and a orfice valve middle ways of line.

 

[easleyj1]

Thanks for the link Texas Diesel. I guess that about covers it. Any suggestions on who makes a better electric FP gauge? My other gauges are Autometer and I was concidering one from them.

 

[darkhorse]

I've been using a Westach FP gauge like yours for two years now. I remember Texas Diesel's post & have kept a close eye on mine. You can see from the attached image how it is mounted on the motor. Still no leaks after about 40K miles. I have never cross checked it for accuracy but it does seem to be sensitive to minor changes in pressure. I do have an extra sending unit on order to keep as a spare just in case.

 

[easleyj1]

I guess I could have at least spelled Westach right in my other posts. lol

 

[rweis]

To help kill pulsations put a needle valve just before the sender and then turn the needle valve all the way off. There is still enough pressure that gets through and it stops the pulsations.



I have the Westach electronic sensors and Westach replaced 3 of them. I wrote the Westach lab and told them what setup I had and was at wits end to keep the sensors from being killed by the VP44 pulses. I called them and discussed the system and we agreed that the needle valve was a simple way to go. It was also suggested by several TDR members. I even mailed my needle valve to them so they could check it that it would shut off all but minimal pressure.



It has worked fine with the needle valve closed.



Bob Weis

 

[Texas Diesel]

I guess I could have at least spelled Westach right in my other posts. lol

I have seen them called Westach and Westech, and Westburg Manufacturing once.



A snubber (I had a snubber on all of mine including the present Isspro) will be a good idea no matter what you end up using.



A better name for them would Replace-Tech or Replace-Tach or perhaps Westrash.



Look at the design, the rubber diaphram will only flex (actually roll) a finite number of times before it breaks down.



Lets see, 4 years later and they are still failing at 3 per year, the rate yours are failing and the same rate that mine failed.



Like I said, if yours isnt leaking, just wait, it will. Carry a plug!



Other options? Perhaps you should start a new thread asking what others are using.

 

[darkhorse]

It's pretty wierd. I have over 40,000 miles on mine & no leaks. Others have gone longer. Some people have nothing but problems. It's that way with a lot of products. By the way, the greas gun hose is suposed to dampen pulses better than braided stainless.

 

[rweis]

I think the different observations by different members is dependant on how the have their individual system setup. Where the sensor is mounted, what kind of hose is between the sensor and the pressure line, how it is routed, how long it is, hose material (and structure), and any other devices (needle valves, snubbers).



Everyone of our setups is different (except the stock one of course). What works for me, may not work for you and vice versa.



Bob Weis



I really like my Westach gauges by Westburg Manufacturing and they were willing to work with me to figuer out the problem (ie not just a sales organization).

 

[easleyj1]

When I got to school this morning my students and I removed the sender, plugged the hose and carefully disassembled the sending unit. I found the diaphragm torn in pretty much the same way as the pictures in the link that Texas Diesel posted.



Jonny

 

[FourBarR]

I have a complete set of Westach gauges. now going on 4 years and 100,000k only problem 1 light bulb. makes a big difference where and how you mount the fuel pressure sender. made a custom bracket mounted back behind the master cylinder. using anti-vibration dampers. the fuel hose is an aircraft s. s. braided ,covered with fire sleeve which tends to reduce the pulsations and vibrations. never any other problems except the bulb. cant complain about that.

 

[RustyJC]

The more recent senders are supposed to be more robust. I went through a period where I was failing a sender about every 6 months on the post-filter side (I have a dual combo Westach FP gauge) even though the sender is mounted on the firewall with a gauge snubber - it is plumbed with braided stainless hose, though. I reached the point where I was carrying 2 spare senders and a brass plug. I haven't had a failure in over a year now, so something has improved.



Rusty

 

[Michael Hughes]

I have mine mounted on a home made bracket that is attached to the bracket that holds the brake lines. I had heard the the vibrations of the engine was hard on the Westech sending units.

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[darkhorse]

As you can see in the photo I attached, mine is on the motor like Geno's had suggested in the instructions they sent with the unit. 40K & no leaks. It still puzzles me why some have so much trouble & others don't.