Fuel pressure gauge saved my bacon.

[tbo1450]

Today in Massachusetts it -5 degrees. Went outside and started the truck. Let her warm up for 20 mins. Running like a champ. Fuel pressure reads 0 psi. Went through the diagnosis found the fass fuel pump fuse was blown. Replaced the fuse got my fuel pressure back. I couldn't believe how well the truck was running just off the injection pump. Without the fuel pressure gauge u would never know the difference. I would have been driving around with no lift pump, till it blew up the vp44.  Wondering why the fass blew the fuse, thick fuel? Everyone needs a fuel pressure gauge with these trucks. 

[TFaoro]

Good to hear it saved you!! The number of people out there that refuse to believe it amaze me.

Now why it blew.... how old is it??

[tbo1450]

Its brand new. 3 or 4 months old. Only thing I can think off is the cold weather had something to do with it. 

[TFaoro]

Hmm.. could have just been a bad fuse too. I'm sure you'll be keeping a close eye on it though!

[tbo1450]

Haha. Def. gonna watch that. The fuel couldn't have been gelled or anything. Cause she was running just fine. Amazing how well it ran without the lift pump. 

[dripley]

I blew the fuse in my AD with the same results. Truck ran fine and you have would have never known the lift pump was down. Mine was about 6 years old and it turned out to be a bad pump. AD did send me new with only a couple of questions. That is another story however.

Glad to here all is well. The gauge just paid for itself.

[notlimah]

Nice to see this kind of post since most are typically because of a problem! I drove mine on a 1000 mile trip and put on a gauge on it right after only to find out I had 0 pressure the whole time!  Really drives home the importance of a fuel pressure gauge on these trucks!

[JAG1]

I had a guy argue with me, to the point of getting irritated when I suggested getting one, saying, '' a fuel pressure gauge?'' I don't need that! All that stuff with gauges is just a big fad.

[IBMobile]

Happy to hear the gauge pulled your bacon out of the fire.  It could be the thicker fuel due to the extreme cold in your area put a load on the pump which in turn increased the amp draw on a marginal pump causing the fuse to blow.  If it happens again do an amp draw test.

38 minutes ago, JAG1 said:

I had a guy argue with me, to the point of getting irritated when I suggested getting one, saying, '' a fuel pressure gauge?'' I don't need that! All that stuff with gauges is just a big fad.

                                                                 ↓  Did he look like this ↓

                                                                       

[Mopar1973Man]

I've got a truck parked in the yard with ZERO fuel pressure. Has been for quite awhile. The previous owner install a Edge Juice CS and didn't both to install either the boost elbow or the fuel pressure sender.

[dripley]

28 minutes ago, IBMobile said:

Happy to hear the gauge pulled your bacon out of the fire.  It could be the thicker fuel due to the extreme cold in your area put a load on the pump which in turn increased the amp draw on a marginal pump causing the fuse to blow.  If it happens again do an amp draw test.

                                                                 ↓  Did he look like this ↓

                                                                       

Full metal jacket!!

[JAG1]

2 hours ago, IBMobile said:

Happy to hear the gauge pulled your bacon out of the fire.  It could be the thicker fuel due to the extreme cold in your area put a load on the pump which in turn increased the amp draw on a marginal pump causing the fuse to blow.  If it happens again do an amp draw test.

                                                                 ↓  Did he look like this ↓

                                                                       

No he didn't but he sure knew a lot about his truck. When I suggested the two stroke oil he said ,''what for"? Tried to explain but wouldn't take time to hear it.

You folks in extreme cold,  can you use heat tape for plumbing but instead placed along your fuel lines and plug it in at night?

Edited February 15, 2016 by JAG1

[01cummins4ever]

24 minutes ago, JAG1 said:

No he didn't but he sure knew a lot about his truck. When I suggested the two stroke oil he said ,''what for"? Tried to explain but wouldn't take time to hear it.

You folks in extreme cold,  can you use heat tape for plumbing but instead placed along your fuel lines and plug it in at night?

I have pipe insulation, from fuel filter back, I don't know if it does much or not but cant hurt anything, as far as the heat tape I don't know how well the rubber fuel line would stand up to the heat tape, besides as soon as you unplug it and cold fuel run through it would probably gel again

[JAG1]

Be cool if a guy could figure out how to run exhaust heat inside a fuel line cover placing heat along the run of lines. Cover could be a snap on type fit to remove for inspection.  

[Mopar1973Man]

Pretty simple just run your heater hose all the back to the fuel tank and back forward again.

[notlimah]

Fass has a plug in for a heater, don't most other brands have the same?

[01cummins4ever]

Come to think of it heat tape works on garden hose so it should be ok on a 1/2 fuel line. If you could convert your 110 v heat tape to 12v. It would continue to heat while driving. 

They do make fuel tank heaters that work on 12 v. They just stick on outside of fuel tank and you just activate it with a switch.

If you add a fuel conditioner and keep it from gelling in the tank it should run through your lines and pump without gelling 

[TFaoro]

Or just buy quality fuel  

Been in -32F and not had GOOD fuel gel. That said, I've had bad fuel gel above 0F

[CSM]

1 hour ago, TFaoro said:

Or just buy quality fuel  

Been in -32F and not had GOOD fuel gel. That said, I've had bad fuel gel above 0F

I always taste the fuel, the good fuel has a nice savory note...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just kidding.  I always wonder if I'm getting "good" fuel.

[Mopar1973Man]

How often do you see semi-trucks scattered along shoulder of the interstate with gelled fuel issues? That's a good place to get fuel.