Fuel pressure gauge(good idea or not)

[dieseldoc]

I had a thought the other day. I have read a lot of posts on here about injector damage from low fuel pressure. Also had to replace 2 injectors for a customer after he gelled up. I was wondering what you guys think about putting a fuel pressure gauge in the cab. A decent looking gauge mounted nicely, and cleanly in the dash. Interested in your thoughts.

[DwayneGorniak]

I think it's an O.K idea for people who are mechanically inclined. However, I would be worried about what type of hoses and connections to use because of liability reasons. You wouldn't want to have a fire due to something failing and leaking fuel on that hot turbocharger. I have seen 7.3's catch fire due to the right hand cyl head fuel line rubbing through on the mounting bracket and spraying fuel on the turbo and getting hot enough to reach it's flash point.

 

I even had a customer one time phone me while he was on the road asking me about his 7.3 leaking fuel. He wanted to know if he could drive it in to the shop. My answer was absolutely no way in hell, get it towed. He kept driving and the truck and it caught fire due to the R.H fuel line rubbing through and burned the truck down. He tried to come after me and the dealership for damages, saying that we told him to drive it. Luckily he had no leg to stand on and had to go completely through his insurance company.

 

Anywho, I know it's a little off topic and long winded. But hey I'm a little gun shy on stuff like that now. Just my **again.

[Keith Browning]

Hey I have always thought that a fuel pressure gauge would be a great thing to have but it would be best if it were electric for obvious safety reasons and if the gauge were to fail. I for one would be highly pissed at having diesel fuel stinking up my dash and cab.

[DwayneGorniak]

There you go. An electric guage is a good idea. I wonder how much beans they cost though.

[Keith Browning]

Let us see, a hand full of engineers and CAD operators, one sensor one gauge, some wire, six months, a dozen prototypes, a few test vehicles... hmmm. Put me down for $2.6 million in the pool! /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif

[Bruce Amacker]

Take an 06E17 truck, wire the EBP into the fuel port on the FF, take the sensor feed into the cab, wire it to a gauge.. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

 

Or- Take the MAP feed, install a FP sender in the FF pressure port, wire a SPDT switch in the dash with MAP signal on one end, FP sender signal on the other end, and the gauge input on the center terminal. Shazam! A quick flip of the switch would give you FP on the boost gauge....and a MAP DTC. Damn, why do my ideas always have a hitch?

 

 

Late DT's have a fuel pressure sensor optional on the FF and it reads in scan data, but not in the cab. I'm thinking it could be wired to read in the dash, 'cause IH gives you several spare gauge positions for stuff like air brake apply pressure and axle temp. You can program the ESC and dash to read any input wired into the ESC (BCM).

 

I think a FP gauge is a GREAT idea. Ford, on the other hand thinks that something like oil pressure is too much information for the driver. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/scratchhead.gif

[Keith Browning]

Or at the VERY LEAST a low pressure warning light when pressure falls below 45-PSI.

[LARRY BRUDZYNSKI]

Stewart Warner has just what we need, and I have in stock by the way.

 

Depends on what color combo you want, 0-100 psi gauge @ $80.00 +/-. Sender @ $53.00 +/-.

 

Usually we get guy's that buy the pillar gauge panels.

[dieseldoc]

I meant more for say my own pick-up, our service truck fleet, and specific cust. I like the idea of the electric gauge. If ford was really thinking they would put a fuel pressure gauge in instead of and oil pressure gauge. After all th HEUI wont run to long with out charge pressure(base engine oil pressure). I see where your coming from though. Most people wouldn't understand or care to monitor that particular vital sign. I will have to do some research on the subject of an electric gauge. I know in my own rig I would rather pay 100 bucks or so for a nice gauge if it could maybe save the cost of a couple injectors or more.

[LARRY BRUDZYNSKI]

Stewart Warner has gauges for everything, I prefer the Marine gauges because they seem to be better made. They are stronger than the basic gauge, better sealing and shock resistance. Right now I have the complete marine series on order for my Glastron GT-150. The only thing I have a problem with right now is the sender for the Speedometer for it. I'm still looking though...Any ideas????

[Jim Warman]

For those that prefer a mechanical gauge, there are gauge pods available that install on the cowl panel or hood... Can't remember brand names, off-hand, but JEGs or similar hot rod suppliers would be a good place to start...

[CLR95]

Autometer and Isspro both make a 100 psi electric fuel gauge for in truck use. Thought about adding that to my exhuast temp, boost, and trans temp gauges but havent done it. Autometer also makes a gauge holder as Jim is saying to mount a mechanical gauge on the cowl. I had one of those on my 95 7.3 with a high pressure oil gauge. Kinda cool got alot of looks thats for sure.