I'm looking into purchasing a pressure transducer and wondering what any one would recommend.  I am aware of the First Look Sensor, the Pico WPS500, and the Fluke PV-350.

I am strictly a diesel technician and would like one that gives a pressure reading so I guess that rules out the First Look Sensor and I've heard exhaust pulses are not too useful on the diesels.

One of the test I would like to perform, which I just read about on the iATN, is capturing the pressure pulses in the coolant system of a 6.0L diesel to determine an EGR cooler fault or leaking head gasket.  Also can any of these be used for diesel compression testing?

I know the Pico WPS500 is probably the best choice but the cost of the PV-350 is almost half.  I know there's no point buying something that will not do the job but I try to hold onto my money as best I can.

RyanH wrote on Nov 17^th, 2010 at 10:25am:

One of the test I would like to perform, which I just read about on the iATN, is capturing the pressure pulses in the coolant system of a 6.0L diesel to determine an EGR cooler fault or leaking head gasket.

for that test i believe they are talking about using a firstlook.


RyanH wrote on Nov 17^th, 2010 at 10:25am:

Also can any of these be used for diesel compression testing?

as far as i know, you would need a transducer in the thousands pound range for diesel compression.

Hi Ryan,

there's plenty of captures of all three on this site.
As you said, the firstlook isn't scaled but is very sensitive.
The pressures your measuring wouldn't be any more than about 30 PSI would it?

The WPS500 has a much cleaner signal than the Fluke unit.
I also do mostly diesel work & find the WPS very handy.

I don't use it for compression testing,it has a 500 psi limit & you would have to make up adapters.  
I use the snap-on diesel comp.tester kit.

The WPS is the  bomb for testing turbo boost,crankcase pressure & exhaust pressures.



Like I always say,compare apples with apples  ;)

Brad


 

Is the WPS500 sensitive enough between 0-500psi?  

Thanks,

Brian

Hi Brian,

it depends which range you use.

1.  -15  to 500 psi
2.  -15  to 50psi
3.  -5    to 5 psi
You can also use the "zoom" function .

Brad

I'm not too concerned about the compression test aspect of things but I guess sensitivity is key.  Well I'll just have to save a little longer for the WPS500.

We tested a few of these WPS units for sensitivity and accuracy with a very accurate digital manometer.  We found them to be accurate to within about four inches of water.

A diesel would be less than 500, yes, on tha starter..

The WPS is suitable for compression testing diesel's

http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab115/Amechs/WPSdieselcompression.jpg
Peak pressure about 350psi,well below the 500psi limit of the WPS.

I have also had some success finding leaks into coolant using the WPS.

Hope this helps,
Paul Galvin.

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Amechs wrote on Nov 27^th, 2010 at 7:22am:

The WPS is suitable for compression testing diesel's

nice!  thanks, paul!

i would be careful with this on diesels, we have seen some cranking compression pressures over 500psi with a master guage, it would be a shame to damage it.

Andy

As Andy said, BE CAREFUL!!

This is the most common diesel we see in our shop.
Note the compression pressures.
Unless you are sure of the maximum pressures,don't use the WPS for compression testing diesels.

Brad

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Does anyone know just how good the Fluke FLUPV350 is? Does anyone own (or owns one and knows someone that owns the other)both the firstlook and the Fluke and if so could they compare waveforms on the same car? I am wondering just how they compare to each other. I do know that Fluke makes the TOUGHEST test equipment I have ever used. I have a Fluke 87 III and that DMM has been through hell and I wouldn't trade it for anything. If their FLUPV350 is accurate/sensitive on gas engines and is as tough as their dmms I am sold on one.

Look up Mick's posts on this site.
I reckon he was the first to post any WPS files.
Back to back captures  between the two with the same settings...

I bought the WPS.



Brad  

Randy,

For many years, the PV350 was the only pressure transducer that could accurately measure dynamic in cylinder pressures.  That is, until the WPS and DCTI units.

The PV350 has it's issues though.  Noise can be a bit of a problem, but there are ways to minimize that to an acceptable level.  However, it was never sensitive enough for intake or exhaust pulse testing.  Also having no way to bleed the air out, even if it was sensitive enough for injector pulse testing, the trapped air would interfere.  You could of course read the fuel pressure, but not see any defined pulses.

If you just need it for in cylinder pressure testing, the PV350 is a good economical choice and will perform just as well as the WPS.  If you also want to do intake and exhaust pulses and fuel rail pulses, etc, the WPS is your only pressure transducer choice.  

As for PV350 toughness.....the weak point here is the thin cable that goes between the pressure sensor and the PV350 box.  It can break over time.

Quote:

Does anyone know just how good the Fluke FLUPV350 is? Does anyone own (or owns one and knows someone that owns the other)both the firstlook and the Fluke and if so could they compare waveforms on the same car? I am wondering just how they compare to each other. I do know that Fluke makes the TOUGHEST test equipment I have ever used. I have a Fluke 87 III and that DMM has been through hell and I wouldn't trade it for anything. If their FLUPV350 is accurate/sensitive on gas engines and is as tough as their dmms I am sold on one.

i have both the 87(3) and the pv350... that 87 is the best meter i've ever used, the dealer i worked for had one and they also had a very restricted pico i was able to play with after hours, hell thats where all my madness started, then i screwed up and bought a fluke196c scopemeter, which i later found out is good for what it is... pv350- it works great as tom stated, i've always used mine for diesel fuel pressure and boost testing with my dmm, i dont use it much for running compression because im paranoid of burning it up, but when i do it saves the day- if you dont have one you should get one, doesnt work for fuel/exhaust pulsetesting, but you know what cheep device does :-X 8-)

Hi.
Didn’t think about scoping the cylinder before joining this forum.  :-[

I have the Fluke PV500 and did a quick test with the Pico.
I tried the Bosch Vac/pressure transducers too.
The WPS is probably better and more accurate.  :)

Must find more time to get familiar to the test results.  ::)
But here are a couple of pictures.

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