Which Fuel Pressure Gauge?
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Which Fuel Pressure Gauge?
Alright, I am going to mount a Fuel Pressure gauge where the cig lighter is but I can't decide which one. I like the Westach and how it is electric with no tube to the cab, but the Di-Pricol White face 0-30 psi would really look nice there. I'm not sure how it works so I would really like to here from folks who have either of these gauges to help me decide. Pictures would be nice too. Thanks
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All mechanical fuel-pressure gauges work the same way - you have an isolator in the engine compartment, which is a small chamber with a rubber diaphragm in the middle. You bring a pressurized fuel line (from either a Tee in the fuel supply, or from a tapped banjo bolt) to one side of the isolator, and you run a plastic tube from the other side of the isolator up to your gauge. This side you fill with a water/anti-freeze mix. The idea is, the fuel pushes on the diaphragm, which pushes on the anti-freeze, which actuates your gauge. This way, you don't have a fuel line running into the cab. Should the tubing leak, you only have the potential for a couple of ounces of anti-freeze in the cab, rather than potentially gallons of diesel fuel.
Some people forego the anti-freeze, and just use air between the isolator and the gauge. This can work, if the tubing isn't too long, but accuracy suffers. Given that the 3rd gen injection pumps are happy as long as they're receiving some pressure, the fuel pressure gauge can be more of an "idiot light", simply indicating "pressure/no pressure". I like to keep an accurate reading, as I use the indicated pressure to gauge the relative life of my fuel filters (when pressure starts dropping off, it's time to change).
Some people forego the anti-freeze, and just use air between the isolator and the gauge. This can work, if the tubing isn't too long, but accuracy suffers. Given that the 3rd gen injection pumps are happy as long as they're receiving some pressure, the fuel pressure gauge can be more of an "idiot light", simply indicating "pressure/no pressure". I like to keep an accurate reading, as I use the indicated pressure to gauge the relative life of my fuel filters (when pressure starts dropping off, it's time to change).
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You can check my pics for the black face Westach guage. I found out after purchasing mine that they also offer white face. The genosgarage website does not tell you this or I would have gotten the white face. I like the cig lighter mount too. I think mine may end up there too....
I also got the genos polished steel fuel filter cap with the valve built in for hooking up the sender. My only concern is if the vibration from the engine will cause an early end to the sender. I have read about this in the past where you should mount the sender somewhere on the firewall. So far so good though and I guess I'll worry about that if it happens. Be prepared to see some low numbers if you are running all stock fuel system parts....
6 psi at idle and cruising
3.5 psi at full throttle
I also got the genos polished steel fuel filter cap with the valve built in for hooking up the sender. My only concern is if the vibration from the engine will cause an early end to the sender. I have read about this in the past where you should mount the sender somewhere on the firewall. So far so good though and I guess I'll worry about that if it happens. Be prepared to see some low numbers if you are running all stock fuel system parts....
6 psi at idle and cruising
3.5 psi at full throttle
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My white faced Westach boost/egt guage looks perfect in the day time but the lighting is nowhere near the factory lighting.
My black faced Westach FP guage doesn't match the factory guages but at night with the lights on it matches perfectly.
A guy just can't win.....
My black faced Westach FP guage doesn't match the factory guages but at night with the lights on it matches perfectly.
A guy just can't win.....
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I did the same thing...took out the cig lighter and put a fuel pressure gauge in its spot. Great spot for it and looks good. Make sure you have a Dremel handy as you will have to cut away a little of the molded plastic support behind the lighter to get the gauge to fit. A Dremel really makes that a snap. I went with the all black Dakota Digital Odyssey Series II fuel pressure gauge so it wouldn't stand out and grab your attention being the only gauge stuck out there by itself. Dakota Digital has a bunch of gauge faces to choose from, from simple black to wild, although no white that I remember. Just another option for you. If you look at the first pic in my gallery, you can see the fuel pressure gauge a little to get an idea of how it looks in that spot. Not a very good pic of it.
My Gauge:
I really liked this one too but decided against it. Too eye catchy:
My Gauge:
I really liked this one too but decided against it. Too eye catchy:
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Thanks for all the replys. I believe I will go with the Di-Pricol 0-30 white face. I think it will look the best. The digital would really be nice if the rest of the dash was digital.
Dodgezilla, I think there are a couple of screws under the shin bolster and one at the trash bag hook, I haven't checked to make sure myself yet.
Does anybody know what pressure I should expect from my AirDog? I was thinking somewhere around 15 to 20 psi? I remember them telling me the change filter light comes on a around 6 psi but I forgot what the operating pressure is.
Dodgezilla, I think there are a couple of screws under the shin bolster and one at the trash bag hook, I haven't checked to make sure myself yet.
Does anybody know what pressure I should expect from my AirDog? I was thinking somewhere around 15 to 20 psi? I remember them telling me the change filter light comes on a around 6 psi but I forgot what the operating pressure is.
#9
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Jerry,
I now have my gauges working on the A Pillar. I have used Di-Pricol and they exactly match my dash. I read 7 to 8 lbs and I have a new filter. Under sustained WOT, it will drop to 5 lbs. I have no idea if this is normal, but it appears to be for my truck.
Steve-l
I now have my gauges working on the A Pillar. I have used Di-Pricol and they exactly match my dash. I read 7 to 8 lbs and I have a new filter. Under sustained WOT, it will drop to 5 lbs. I have no idea if this is normal, but it appears to be for my truck.
Steve-l
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I think there are a couple of screws under the shin bolster and one at the trash bag hook, I haven't checked to make sure myself yet.
Lower the ashtray and drink holder before trying to pull the center bezel off. You have several electrical connectors to disconnect from the panel, and the metal spring clips will scratch the face of the ashtray and drink holder while you're doing this if you leave them closed.
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How are people tapping into the fuel system on 3rd generations for a mechanical guage?
#14
Originally posted by Jerry R
Does anybody know what pressure I should expect from my AirDog? I was thinking somewhere around 15 to 20 psi? I remember them telling me the change filter light comes on a around 6 psi but I forgot what the operating pressure is. [/B]
Does anybody know what pressure I should expect from my AirDog? I was thinking somewhere around 15 to 20 psi? I remember them telling me the change filter light comes on a around 6 psi but I forgot what the operating pressure is. [/B]
#15
The Di-Pricol is a mechanical gauge and requires a fuel pressure isolator so that if the tubing or gauges should ever fail you would not get diesel in the cab. We have more information about the gauges and isolators on our website http://www.dieselpowerproducts.com/gauges