Going down to Brownwood this past weekend I noticed my FP gauge was reading a low 10 PSI at idle pre-filter. I wasn't too concerned b/c even when I dropped to 4th and hammered it the FP reading stay at 10 psi. Now it is reading 1 psi at startup then slowly raises to 5 psi. I thought possible some water in the diesel fuel had frozen in my tubing but even when it's warm outside it still slowly goes to 5 psi then to 10 psi and I saw 14 psi this morning.

So has anyone else seen this type of issue? I'm starting to think it may be a clogged hose or gauge causing this situtation, possibly bad fuel?

-CM

 

IMO, I would change your fuel pressure to read post filter. That would be the actual numbers your VP44 is getting, not pre filter.

I would also get a mechanical gauge and double check the pressure your other gauge shows. It could be your gauge is bad, or it could be symptoms of a lift pump going out.

Even when I am in Montana in very cold weather, my pressure does not fluctuate like that.

 

that's what you'll see if a speck of debris gets into your gauge line.

 

I took apart my FP gauge setup this weekend to see if there was any debris in the line or clogging the FP Gauge itself. I saw nothing it was clean and the tubing was not pinched. I put they valve back on the LP fuel line going into the filter and started the truck up and saw the fuel run through the clear plastic line. Checked my FP gauge at the connection in the truck and it was clearn. I banged the FP a few times just to see if anything would fall out, nothing. Re-installed the FP and the gauge acted slow as before then a few minutes later it started to respond much quicker to my throttle, it dropped and rose as it did when first installed.

What was the problem? I have no idea but it is now functioning correctly.

-CM

 

sounds like it did have contamination and you dislodged it or it found a happy place where it isn't restricting your reading. Another reason to go post filter.

 

Checkball seated in the pump, maybe? In and out.

 

do you have an isolator???

 

No I'm not running an isolater. I'm running fuel in the cab and have a valve in the engine to cut it off if needed.

Post filter is good but I like to see what the LP is doing. I may put an inline filter on my setup just in case I do buy some fuel that is contaminated.

-CM

 

To each his own...but I'd rather monitor the SYSTEM which feeds the VP. That system includes the filter.

 

I agree, the fuel pressure guage can give you info. about the condition of the fuel filter if you monitor the pressure post filter.

 

How does your truck run? If you have no fuel pressure she will smoke and run pretty rough. You will have no power at all. I just have my fuel pick-up screen plug-up. I removed the screen, I get fuel now but I have no screen. So I know abit about straving the VP44 pump and by the way it doesn't take long to smoke the pump. It took 5 miles of no fuel pressure for the pump to start acting up. I'm hoping and praying that the good old Dodge boys give me warranty. I'm get tired of fixing and paying for parts myself.

 

cmckinney or anyone else, I am using an isolator right now but want to remove it and run a hose directly to the guage in the piller pod. Right now I have a needle valve on top of the filter housing with a hydrolic hose running to the isolator and then plastic tubing to the guage. Are you using the 1/8" nylon/plastic tubing from the filter housing all the way up to the guage? How is it hooked up to the top of the filter housing? Where did you get the fittings and tubing?

Thanks
Mark

 

Anyone?

 

Mark,

Give Rod at Wildcat diesel a call....he'll tell ya exactly what to do and can supply all the parts you need.

 

Thanks Dr. Evil. I will give him a call.