adding a fuel pressure gauge
Looking for any suggestions y'all might have for a cost-effective aftermarket low pressure fuel gauge to monitor the output of the lift pump in a '95 K1500 Suburban with 230k on a 6.5 recently. Previous owner had replaced pretty much the entire fuel system from tank to IP (not sure about injectors themselves) but it wouldn't run. My son looked at it for me (was closer to him than me) and diagnosed two problems: (1) no power to the new lift pump and (2) a nick in the PMD relocation cable. I replaced the PMD cable and drove it home with a jury-rig hotwire powering the lift pump (used a 16ga extention cord straight to the battery). Still have to troubleshoot the open circuit (suspecting bad ground) but want gauge for piece of mind anyway.
thanks for the timely responses, guys...
...good points both. arveetek, did you run your gauges inside the passenger compartment (realizing that is a safety no no, but it is diesel, not gas) also, do you think an electric gauge would hold up better and, if so, any thoughts/experience with specific brands?
N9Phil, the water drain was my thought, too, as an easy access point. So you just leave the gauge hooked up with the valve closed and only consult it when you suspect a fuel problem?
While we're on the subject of fuel supply, what are your thoughts regarding the oil pressure sensor safety switch being in the circuit. Bearing in mind that we're dealing with diesel, seems like just one more unnecessarily complicated potential failure point mandated by overzealous safety Nazis. Have y'all made any improvements in that setup?