How To Use A Diesel Fuel Pressure Tester

 

If your car won’t start but the battery checks out, you may be wondering if it a fuel issue.  Maybe the fuel pump is not working or not enough pressure is getting into the injectors.  A diesel fuel pressure tester can help you find answers to all these questions.

An engine only needs four things to run, namely fuel, air, spark and compression. Checking an ignition tester can easily verify the operation of the ignition, and a fuel pressure tester is just as easy to operate. It has a simple design that consists of a gauge that is attached to a fuel hose as well as multiple fittings. These fittings can connect to the fuel system of nearly any vehicle.

When the diesel fuel pressure tester is connected and the fuel system is pressurized, it will display the pressure in psi on a large gauge that is visible from inside the vehicle.  This enables you to verify fuel pressure while in the driver’s seat, something that makes testing of fuel pressure a one-person operation.

 So, what does good fuel pressure look like? It depends on the engine. Some of the older throttle-body injected systems require as little as 10 psi while multi-port injection may require as high as 60 psi.  Keep in mind that the fuel pressure can vary even for the same vehicle.  If you do not know what your engine requires, it would be a good idea to grab a repair manual and check the specifications section.

 Even though zero fuel pressure means that the engine will not run, low pressure sometimes allows engine operation with issues.  Misfires, a slow start-up, stalling and low performance are common signs of low fuel pressure.

For more information on a diesel fuel pressure tester and how to use it, visit our website at https://puredieselpower.com/