Autonerdz forums

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.

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


 

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

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.

The WPS is suitable for compression testing diesel's


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.

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

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.

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.