maybe the gauge is damaged now?


cheap one wear out, my pool pump gauge lasted me a week and getting liquid filled now for it and a second one for the truck tool box

 

Actually, I've seen that much bounce with my gauge. You're seeing a 40 - 80 PSI bounce, which is an average of 60 PSI. I'd call that good. If you add a BB now, it might raise your fuel pressure too high.

If I saw this reading on my truck, I'd be happy with the repairs made and call it good. No further repair needed.

 

I'll run with it until/if I get a real gauge on it..Thanks guys

 

Have you tweaked the tab on the pedal assembly, so you hear the "click" with a slight movement of the accelerator?

 

Yup, dialed in perfect. I can off idle it at about 700 RPM if I'm gentle, great throttle response and 4.35 Volts from the TPS on the carpet.

 

Excellent! I can't believe how much that little tweak affects performance. Simple and free mods are the best.

 

Now you got me worried about my fuel pressure...

 

Yep, got to love the Free and Easy Mods. I started chasing my fuel problem because I had a leak in the valley.

 

I had a valley leak too and it was the hose from bowl to pump swelled up and clamp was almost off the hose leaking lots of fuel

 

On your '97? What is your fuel pressure? Acceptable range is 40 - 80 PSI at idle. If it's above or below those extremes, you have work to do.

 

I've never checked it but I have noticed a bit of cutting out/surging at times lately. How often do filters need changed?

 

Depends on how many miles you drive annually. It's easy enough to check. If it hasn't been replaced in a while, it's probably due.

There is also a screen in the filter housing/FPR assembly that should be cleaned, too. It is not a removable/replaceable item. Just use a cotton swap, with the cotton end removed/broken off, and gently wipe the screen clean. The residue removed is from the o-ring. Amount of residue will give you an idea if your o-ring needs replacing soon.

I prefer to clean this screen and replace the o-ring, if needed, before adjusting fuel pressure with a BB. That's just me, but if I'm adjusting fuel pressure back into specification, I'd like to be certain my efforts will have a positive effect on performance. This screen can become clogged enough to affect fuel flow, which can affect performance.

 

So is there a good document or video on checking the fuel pressure?

 

connect tire gauge to Schrader valve on regulator and read it at idle, if less than 40 PSI you might have an issue

 

DieselTechRon, on YouTube, ( ), is a good resource. In this video, he's using a tool I can't afford. He uses a gauge around 3:45 in the video.

Another decent one is Trey Spooner. His video might show up on the right side of the screen. It did for me.

I found these by searching for "check fuel pressure on ford powerstroke" on YouTube.