Vacuum Gauge?

[GuglioLS]

I was wondering if anyone has ever installed or measured intake manifold vacuum on a Diesel tractor engine?
I thought it might be interesting to install a vacuum gauge on my tractor. My thinking is maybe it would indicate when the air filter is starting to clog? If I got a vacuum reading with a new filter, then as the filter aged, would there be higher vacuum when a filter is restricted? Logic makes me think so, but sometimes my logic does not make sense. Or is the needle going to bounce all over the place because of low RPM's & only 3 cylinders?
Anyway I ordered this vacuum gauge from JC Whitney to give it a try.
Should be here in a couple of days

Let me know what you think or what your predictions are.


Larry

 

[SnowRidge]

I think you should have looked here first.

 

[midcarolina]

I am not to sure that will work, what you need for your task is a pressure differential gauge across the filter element..

A vacuum gauge will however tell you when you are outside of peak power range

 

[GaryM]

Generally speaking, diesels don't have a vacuum in the intake manifold because there's no throttle plate.

 

[SnowRidge]

Generally speaking, diesels don't have a vacuum in the intake manifold because there's no throttle plate.

The restriction of the air cleaner will provide for some degree of vacuum.

 

[3RRL]

Larry,
I would comment on your thread but the only vacuum I have is between my ears.

 

[GuglioLS]

The restriction of the air cleaner will provide for some degree of vacuum.

SnowRidge,

That's what I am counting on, there has got to be some vacuum (pressure differential) (same difference) between the outside world and the manifold side of the filter on an engine air intake stroke. After all, that's how those fancy filterminders you posted work. Maybe not as much vacuum as I was hoping for to register on the vacuum gauge. You would think as the filter becomes more restricted, then as a cylinder is on the air intake stroke the pressure differential (vacuum) would be greater as opposed to a clean filter.

Larry,
I would comment on your thread but the only vacuum I have is between my ears.

HaHaHa, ROTFLMAO
Rob,
Perhaps I should send you the gauge so you can monitor your condition.
Sorry Rob, you know I admire and respect you, I just could not help myself.


All great input and discussion - thanks guys,

Larry

 

[SnowRidge]

I had a vacuum gauge monitoring a fuel filter on a diesel powered boat. It was T'eed into the fuel line between the lift pump and the filter. It saved me quite a bit of money by eliminating unnecessary filter changes.

 

[RonMar]

There is a vacume, which increases with an increase in filter restriction. It however is very low and is better measured in inches of water column and not inches of mercury. That gauge pictured(IN/HG) will most likley not move very far off the peg, and then only when you rev the engine, and then only due to lag as the airflow must be accelerated to meet the need. 1" of HG column is equal to roughly 14" H2O column making the water column gauge far more sensitive.

 

[ciderman]

Go with the FilterMinder that SnowRidge recommends. Air cleaner restriction is measured in inches of water, not inches of mercury that an automotive vacuum gauge reads. A filter is usually restricted at 25" of water, if you multiply 25 by .07355 you get 1.8" of mercury. You'll be huffing coal out your stack before you see anything registering on a mercury gauge.

Dave

 

[GuglioLS]

There is a vacume, which increases with an increase in filter restriction. It however is very low and is better measured in inches of water column and not inches of mercury. That gauge pictured(IN/HG) will most likley not move very far off the peg, and then only when you rev the engine, and then only due to lag as the airflow must be accelerated to meet the need. 1" of HG column is equal to roughly 14" H2O column making the water column gauge far more sensitive.

Go with the FilterMinder that SnowRidge recommends. Air cleaner restriction is measured in inches of water, not inches of mercury that an automotive vacuum gauge reads. A filter is usually restricted at 25" of water, if you multiply 25 by .07355 you get 1.8" of mercury. You'll be huffing coal out your stack before you see anything registering on a mercury gauge.

Dave

WOW great input gentlemen thanks for the enlightenment! It's settled then, I'm going to send my gauge to Rob

Seriously, I will check into the filter minder, it seems like a cool device, I want one that I can mount on the dash, I think they carry one. Automobile Parts, Air Filter, Fuel Monitor, Car Accessories, Engineered Products

Since there are no prices on the web site or any information on where or how to actualy buy one, I assume it costs an arm and a leg.

Does anyone know where to buy one? Online would be good.

Thanks,
Larry

 

[3RRL]

Oh geez, thanks Larry.

 

[john_bud]

Larry,

If you have a junk yard around, the newer cars all have the little filter minder deal on them. Probably can get one for a buck.

jb

 

[montejw]

If you still want a "gauge" I've seen vacuum gauges that read in inches of water, some in really low ranges like 0 to 2 inches. I've seen them in the range of 0 to 25 inches of water vacuum too. I did a quick search but couldn't find one, but I know they're out there.

One thing about the Filter Minders is that I don't think the reading will go up and down dynamically like the first gauge you bought. If that matters.

 

[Rara Avis]

Automobile Parts, Air Filter, Fuel Monitor, Car Accessories, Engineered Products


Thanks,
Larry

Something similar to that is on newer(90's on) JD air units...since you check your tractor before you operate it...you don't need it on your dash...if it was close before you start for the day...you replace your filter and you are good to go...Unless you are operating in a sandstorm...

 

[GaryM]

My 2001 JD4100 has one installed on the air cleaner housing.

 

[GuglioLS]

I just called the NAPA wharehouse, they have them in stock.
Here are all the NAPA part#'s with direct links to the product:

FIL 4800 Thread Mount
FIL 4801 Grommet Mount
FIL 4802 Remote NON Dash Mount
FIL 4804 Remote Dash Mount


NAPA is having a 25% off anything you can fit in the bag sale, 10/5/07 - 10/7/07

Larry

 

[sandman2234]

And if there are any tractor trailer wrecker yards around, they use them also.
I have a Jacobson mower (parts machine) that has one on it, that I thought about putting on my JD.
David from jax

 

[Skyco]

My 96 Ford Powerstroke has one on the OEM air filter housing...don't know what a Ford dealer gets for one...

 

[shaley]

All the Dodge Ram Cummins have them as well. Try a junk yard. My NH 2120 has an electric one as OEM. Turns a dash light on when it's time to blow the dust off. NH P/n is SBA385201340