Installing fuel pressure gauge - DOT line ok?

Uglydog56 · April 02, 2013, 03:16:49 PM

I want to put a mechanical fuel pressure gage up front so I can see what my fuel pump is doing, since it isn't stock. I have a braided line to get to the frame rail. I also have a bunch of 1/4" DOT line that someone gave me. Is that line ok for the fuel pressure line, or will the diesel eat it, or is there some other issue? I don't want to pay for or run a 25 foot long braided line to get to the front. I also don't want to die in a fiery inferno, or worse yet, catch the bus on fire. The gage comes with 1/8" plastic tubing. The DOT line should be at least as good as that, shouldn't it? Max pressure on gage is 200psi, pump shouldn't get past 160. Sorry for dumb question.

lostagain · April 02, 2013, 05:45:12 PM

I have a fuel pressure gauge mounted on the secondary filter. All I need to do is look at it once in a while at idle and at full fuel rpm to know that it is normal. As a matter of fact, as long as the engine is running well, who cares about fuel pressure. Why do you need to see it all the time at the dash?

JC

chessie4905 · April 02, 2013, 07:07:00 PM

personally, I wouldn't recommend it. A line failure could create some type of mess. How about an electronic gage with sending unit? Or install a warning light sender on the filter head. Get one that will cause the light to come on at say 15 to 25 psi, indicating the filters are restricting and need replaced soon before engine quits.

Uglydog56 · April 02, 2013, 09:24:02 PM

I have a Cummins, not a Detroit. Fuel pressure against boost and pyro tell you what the engine is doing.

bevans6 · April 03, 2013, 03:43:49 AM

The only safe line for a fuel gauge is indeed steel wrapped flex line or steel hard line, basically the same as any fuel line. Why not use an electric gauge? Just a sending unit on a filter head, then wires to the front. I use Autometer and they are extremely reliable.

Brian

luvrbus · April 03, 2013, 04:25:42 AM

Go to a Cat dealer buy the nylon 1/4 inch tubing they sell for fuel 300 # @ 180 degrees or the 10,000 # for grease and hydraulic lines they been using it for years for fuel gauges and remote grease fittings

JMO but I think the DOT tubing may get soft over time with fuel

good luck

Uglydog56 · April 03, 2013, 01:53:41 PM

Thanks, I will give them a call.

Len Silva · April 03, 2013, 02:15:36 PM

I have sen the DOT air line used for fuel for years without any problems. That said, I would e careful where you run it so a leak won't be dangerous or cause damage. Perhaps even run it in a conduit of some kind. I am very confident that the tubing will hold up to fuel, temperature, and pressure.