FP gauge and isolater issue

[turbojimmy]

I've had a mechanical gauge and isolator in the car for years. Today, however, the gauge shot up to 80-90-100 PSI and then the needle went the whole way around and pegged on the OPPOSITE side of the pin. It seems to be related to underhood heat. The car is running cooler than it ever has, but for some reason the gauge is acting funny. It works fine when the car is cool. I have a 2nd underhood gauge and it shows that the FP is normal.

Anyone run into this? Should I replace the isolator or just move to an electronic gauge?

TIA,
Jim

 

[GNut]

Go Electronic!! The Autometer units are install friendly and extremely accurate. A little more expensive but you gotta figure you're going to spend atleast $75 on a new H.Press Isolator. I stopped offering mechanical setups in my dashes a long time ago, this is the only way to go.

Tom Houser
Performance Instruments
www.gnxdash.com

 

[Raven]

Electronic

My guess is it's most likely the isolator but it very well could be the gauge (or both).

I agree with Tom about the electronic piece - currently, I've got a hood mount AutoMeter ProComp and love it - very accurate, easy to see and a breeze to install.

Pic of hood mount fuel pressure gauge

But - when it dies, I'm going to an electronic, just to get rid of the hassle and the attention the hood mount it brings. I'm not fond of the look and the idea of the isolator etc, just doesn't make me all warm and fuzzy either. Mechanical is cool but a hood mount is not stealthy at all!

Also, a rail mount or something similar (IMO) is just asking for a leak or worse someday.

Go electronic - you'll be glad you did.

 

[turbojimmy]

Thanks for the replies. I had a nice Autometer electronic one in the Typhoon. Seemed to work decent, but it was around $200.

I've been resisting because I'm really proud of my mechanical gauge installation. I ran braided steel line from the isolator to the gauge. Had to dremel the dash top plate thing as well as the gauge pod for it. Came out nice. Now I'll have a hole in the gauge pod for no apparent reason.

Oh well. I've had to replace the isolator 3 times in 4 years. It's probably time to go electronic now.

Jim

 

[GNut]

Jimmy..

You just have to figure that by the time you get a decent isolator, braided hose, and all the proper fittings you got just as much in the mechanical setup as you would an electric one. Tell you what, I have a brand new high pressure isolator sitting on the shelf right now. It's a billet aluminum unit made by Mallory for VDO. It's rebuildable which makes it a lot better. If you want it I'd have to get $100 for it. It's Blue anodized but can be polished out for a really trick looking setup. Just let me know..

Tom Houser
Performance Instruments
www.gnxdash.com