I will be next spring. However I may go with a "glowshift" gauge. Much more affordable prices. I don't understand why an electric fuel pressure gauge is SO much more expensive than an electric oil pressure gauge....
IP: Logged
10:57 PM
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
I will be next spring. However I may go with a "glowshift" gauge. Much more affordable prices. I don't understand why an electric fuel pressure gauge is SO much more expensive than an electric oil pressure gauge....
Thanks for the tip...those prices do look better. I don't know why they are so much more expensive than oil pressure. Except maybe as Theogre implies, it's the liability of a leak and the consequences so there has to be failsafe features in the design to make it safe.
Anyone put an electronic fuel pressure gauge? Autometer has one but it's not cheap. Much less likely to leak over a mechanical gauge.
In a few weeks I'm thinking of ordering another electric oil pressure gauge from rock auto ($23.00). Installing it on the schrader, taking off the lens on the gauge and making it say "fuel" instead of oil. Pressure is pressure. Right?
All of you installing gauges in fuel lines permanently should consider carrying a plug and tools to install it at all times.
Gauges, even quality ones, can start leaking with little, more like no, warning. Between the vibration in the fuel, engine vibration, heat, etc, a gauge can easily develop a leak. When it's loaded with fuel....
Gauges are moving, and rather delicate, parts. Leaking gauges are pretty common in allot of applications. Sticking one in an engine bay just adds to the likelyhood of a leak.
Good advice, Ogre. A fire extinguisher in the trunk is a must have. (if I can just get to it in time!) A halon system would be a plus.
I used one layer on each NPT thread of yellow teflon tape to help prevent leaks.
I think Theogre is referring to leaks from the gauge itself. The mechanism is going to be under pressure from the gas continuously, if it leaks you have a real problem. I wouldn't use an oil pressure gauge with gas. The materials may not be compatible. They might be, but if you are wrong, the consequences are severe.
Originally posted by jscott1: I think Theogre is referring to leaks from the gauge itself.
Yes, Exactly. The gauges break internally. It's a fairly common mode of failure, especially in high vibration environments. If that happens, your stranded if you don't have a way to plug the hole. Finding the right plug in a hurry can be allot harder than trying to patch a hole in a line.
Electronic gauges are not immune to it either. Look how often oil pressure senders fail. Nearly all senders are some kind of mechanical part working a resistor. Some really good ones may be operating as a load cell with little or no movement but most are just versions of your OP sender.
And on that note... NO, don't use an oil pressure senders or hose sets to make a fuel gauge. Oil and Fuel handling materials are often NOT interchangeable. This isn't an item to be guessing with. Some OP senders may take it while others won't. There's no way for you to know and the vendor is going to be free and clear if this blows up on you. They sell it as an OP product and even for that some are not very good. Look at how many OP senders fail just for the stock dash gauge. Even some of the "name brands" on the aftermarket aren't holding up all that well lately. Spraying engine oil is bad enough. Spraying fuel.........
Ogre, Thanks for the heads up on the gauge leak/failure issue. I will carry my Schrader valve core (and fire extinguisher) with me just in case. Especially since I opted for the cheapest made in Taiwan gauge out there!
Anyone put an electronic fuel pressure gauge? Autometer has one but it's not cheap. Much less likely to leak over a mechanical gauge.
I purchased my electric fuel pressure gauge off ebay for a very good price relative to what it would have cost direct from the shelf to my hand. It's an excellent piece of equipment to have when you are diagnosing an engine problem or tuning from the driver seat.
