How To Test Fuel Pressure On A Dodge Ram Diesel With Common Workshop Items!

How to check fuel pressure on a 2nd generation Dodge Ram with the Cummins diesel. My truck is a 1997 12 valve but this should work on other trucks of similar vintage as well. I had been wanting to do this for a while, but couldn't find any info about checking the pressure without fancy adapters or drilling into the banjo bolt on the injector pump. I came up with this idea and thought I'd share.

[@mikep95133]

I just modified a bolt like you did. Worked perfectly to measure the lift pump fuel pressure !!! All of 5 psi ! Now I know why the boost pressure is about 8 psi instead of the 13 psi it was at for many years. Thank you for your video !!!

[@revitup1965]

Another good job straight from Jennies Garage! Good luck with the truck.

[@thenomad7120]

If your fss is faulty and not pulling the fuel lever all the way open…it will starve the engine of fuel also cause hard starts. Also get an adjustable overflow valve and check the prefilter screen (for debris)on the fuel heater, I have the same truck with 321k on it and have deleted electrical stuff and gone to mechanical where I could for reliability.

[@davekana8388]

I need to do this, thanks!

[@MarionBlair]

very innovative!

[@kurtauerbach5883]

You did say common workshop items.. no aardvarks here only possums for diner hehe. Have you you figure out why when you remove pedal quickly it dies? mine does that too.

[@LemmyKutcherGrass]

Hello 8 yrs later! Please, mine is like yours, what was the issue?

[@kurtauerbach5883]

@@LemmyKutcherGrass its been awhile but one thing i did : symptom: stopping at light engine turns off more so with ac on.and rpm under 500. i adjusted the idle screw...A different issue i had was on the freeway going up to speed a loss of power ok if i was backed off pedal and just held speed. i put some lucas (half bottle lol) fuel injection cleaner. apparently i need to do this about every year and half. but not a bad trade off since there really isnt much maintenance. i do change out my fuel filter after i do that( after i think all injector cleaner has gone thru.) i hate changing that btw very difficult on mine.

[@LemmyKutcherGrass]

@@kurtauerbach5883 thanks! I finally gave up and took it to a diesel mechanic lol, I'll know what's up with it soon enough.

[@kurtauerbach5883]

​@@LemmyKutcherGrass its cheaper than payments on a new car :) and its a classic. without all those sensors on the new ones!

[@zx8401ztv]

Thats brilliant, your just too clever :-D I suppose that diesel was coming from the tap point, a few mods to your bolt would have stopped that, but the test is done so no matter :) You did well to drill that bolt without a pillar drill, dam hard to drill straight. I hope you find the fault without spending too much money, looks like a nice truck:-)

[@user-de7ot9tx7t]

Good vid hope its a cheap fix good luck

[@rrcoster]

Cummins 12 valves are very reliable and most generally easy work on and fix. Id say ya want look at what codes are coming up as you have check engine light on and next you might want look at timing and injectors

[@vivianyu9582]

rrcoster ssxsw

[@anewzack78]

Ever figure out the low power issue?

[@HondaMechanic1]

Honda uses banjo bolts on oil lines .. You just need one that is 6X1mm and 2 sealing washers ..

[@mattleonard5268]

Sounds like you need a Tork tek ofv010 overflow valve

[@jkickin2]

Those year dodges should also Idle around 750-850 rpm in gear and AC on if it still works.

[@dieseldefenseoffroad]

I would check to see if one of the cylinders dropped. From what I have heard its not that uncommon sadly. To check for this, I would start the truck up and idle it without the oil fill cap on. If there is a good amount of steam coming from the cap, this could be the culprit. Disclaimer: I am in no way a diesel mechanic, just someone who researches the crap out of these engines so use this information at your own risk. Good Luck.

[@jkickin2]

What codes does it pull with a scanner? I noticed the check engine light on your dash.

[@rhpham2]

Dude how many cars do you have? I would have thought your Ranger have enough grunt to pull that trailer lol.

[@tzaliwolbe8134]

Have you discovered the cause of the problem? I'm having a similar issue with mine

[@rrcoster]

That cummins 12v barely broke in at 134k lol is that 2wd or 4wd?

[@knikula]

compression test would be interesting

[@vendetta1306]

Well done

[@mikecronan550]

Just buy a banjo bolt with a test fitting. And use the proper guage.

[@doscooby76]

I am A diesel mechanic your Engine temperature is too low you need to change thermostats to a 195 and your check engine light may go off if it dont let me know ill tell you how to get it out...

[@Dirtyol12valve]

Um no. 195 is about as hot as you want to go. My truck has always ran 175-180 even when pulling a load. I have a 96 12 valve

[@coltonchristman2070]

Fette Katze Check engine light won't come on because the temp is too low. plus 195 is way too high. I run a 180 thermostat and the truck runs no hotter than that under heavy load. the factory thermostat was a 180 in my 98 12 valve

[@dieselsmiths]

As denoted by the “time machine” 😂 Maybe we should check for an inlet restriction to the lift pump? Some arrangements have a screen inside a bowl of sorts just forward of the primary fuel filter. Others may have an inline screen or none at all, i which case I would look for debris inside the pump itself(replace it). $0.02 Yes, I realize how old this post is...just offering some help to innocent passers by.

[@joelcr250]

how come an American vehicle has metric fasteners ? ?? ?

[@coltonchristman2070]

CR2504life makes it simple to work on. plus the engine is a Cummins which isn't made by dodge. Cummins motors are used world wide with the Bosch(german) injection pump. most modern vehicles have metric fasteners because instead of having an sae and metric set of tools, you only have metric and can work on anything

[@thomasmccooey1451]

You have probably figured it out by now but if not turn idle screw up...

[@jenniesgarage]

+Thomas McCooey Thanks for the comment. Yeah the idle was a little low, which was part of the problem. I made a video about it too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXK3o4qIdregors

[@MikeSciarine]

My bet is on the fuel filter.

[@jaytaggert9883]

Awesome...!

[@axgtsimi]

its an injector i would say

[@scott907]

Glad my wife doesn't watch these. She would expect so much more from me...

[@nike12000haha]

Egr system is my guess

[@nolman38]

+nike12000 don't believe this is a 2007.5 or older lol

[@coltonchristman2070]

Nolan Delaney egr is a possibility for that truck. he talked about it in another video. California 12vers had egr for emissions. you must be thinking of the dpf, def and modern egr filters and systems that the new trucks have

[@xraykadiddlehopper8067]

Please stop talking 🙊

[@JZX834L]

Why are you talking like that?

[@paulcini6084]

you know there is a test port about 4" towards the fire wall.....hahaha