Can someone give me a brief description on where one would hook up gauge to check the lift pump pressure on a 3rd gen? It looks like the pump output is fed directly into the filter housing and I don't see a convenient gauge attachment point. Am I just missing something obvious or is there some special tool or fitting involved?

Thanks in advance,

 

Aw, c'mon... can't be that dumb a question... (or is it..?)

 

Nope - not a dumb question at all. About the only way to do it on a 3rd gen is to get a tapped banjo bolt, and replace one of the stock banjo bolts. The one on the injection pump is probably the easiest to get to.

 

OK, thanks. Yes, that was my observation... looked to me like there would have to be some kind of adapter that goes on one of the banjo fittings connected to the output, or a tapped fitting as you mention. There must be a commercial source for something like this... anyone have any leads to save me some searching?

Thanks again,

 

Gino's Garage

 

Or if not them, maybe Geno's Garage

Tapped Banjo Bolts

 

Thanks for the link, exactly what I was looking for. Will pick up a set with my next filter order.

Thanks to all for your replies...

 

I have a tapped banjo bolt and I'm going to install it to use my fuel pressure guage.
Do you have any advice before I go in?

 

Yes. Spray the bolt and surrounding area down well with BrakeKleen. Blow it off with compressed air (or wait for it all to evaporate). Make sure everything is squeaky clean... no dirt, grease, or anything should come near the open fuel line or port in the pump. Make sure the tubing and other fittings for your pressure gauge are clean, as well. Remember you're working on the post-filter side of the fuel system, and the nozzles of your injectors are pretty darn small - wouldn't take much to clog them.

 

What is the proper torque when tightening the banjo bolts?

 

Thank you for the tips Tom488!

The post pressure is one of the benefits to having the guage. I can monitor the condition of my fuel filter and know when to swap it with a new one. I did this with my 99 and it worked great.

 

Torque on the banjo bolts is 17 ft. lbs. I use an inch-pound wrench, and go to 204in.lbs. My inch pound wrench is much more accurate than my ft.lb. wrench at low torque values.

 

OK, just one more question... there are two fuel lines running between the filter housing and the injection pump. I assume that one is the supply and the other is a return, but it is not clear to me which is which..? Again this is on a 2003.

Thanks again,

 

The red arrow points to the fuel supply line as it connects to the injection pump. The other line is the return.

 

OK, thanks. I guess identification of the return line should have been obvious to me since it's connected to the same point as the return from the high pressure rail. Thanks a lot for the clear diagram though.