Which fuel pressure gauge do you like?

[2cool2hear]

I'm looking to buy a fuel pressure gauge/tester for automobiles, maybe OTC or Actron. Thoughts? And I want to find out which one to avoid. Does anyone know if I need to get adapters too?

OTC
http://amzn.com/B000R5IASC

Actron
http://amzn.com/B0009XQUKC


Many Thanks

 

[CZ_Greatwrench]

Between OTC and Actron, I would say OTC as a company has more of a reputation for being "higher end" than Actron but I don't think it would matter too much for a basic pressure tester. As for adapters, what kind of vehicles would you mostly be working with?

 

[logikal]

Neither, Buy the LANG

 

[rlitman]

I have the Actron, and by the looks of it, the OTC comes out of the same factory.
The pressure release button on mine has leaked since day 1, but I replaced it with a ball valve. It's a great improvement, because now I can use it to siphon my tank using the fuel-pump.

I've also had the schrader seal fail causing that to spray gas. Fortunately, it uses the same seal as can be found on HVAC gauge hoses.

 

[2cool2hear]

Mostly for GM automobiles. I'm going to use it next week on 2004 2.2L Chevy S10 and 2000 Saturn SC3.

Lang is wayyy out of my price range. Why so high?

 

[teletekman]

My preference between the two would be the OTC 5630. Unlike the OTC which I had to order online, the Actron unit at least around here is pretty much available at the local parts houses but the two I went through ended up leaking at the hose fittings so back they went. I eventually opted for the OTC which has been much more reliable over the past couple of years I have used it.

You don't get the banjo fitting used on many imports with the OTC like you do with the Actron but IMO the OTC is a better constructed gauge set.

 

[signcrafter]

Those GMs should have a schrader fitting which most kits have. The reason for the lang price is the adapters. The more different kinds of vehicles you work on the more adapters you need. There is no middle of the line kit with a lot of adapters besides the HF kit but I've read a lot of bad reviews about the adapters leaking. So unless you only work on the handful of cars that the cheaper kits have adapters for you're stuck buying the lang or OTC complete kits. Lang does make some smaller basic kits and you can add adapters as needed, same with the OTC.

 

[thatonedude]

Who ever built my mac one. Have had it for five years havnt failed me yet

 

[ClineWrench]

I agree with thatonedude. Have had my Mac FPT since the late 90s and it still works fine.

 

[Fedwrench]

Bosch owns OTC and Actron. OTC owned ACTRON before Bosch bought everything.

Lang fuel gauges are expensive because they are built better and are more accurate. For example, the professional OTC gauge set (not the one pictured) comes with a red plastic hose. This hose isn't resistant to some solvents like BG so, when you use it to apply certain cleaners, it dissolves whereas, the Star/Lang units come with braided stainless steel hoses that are stronger.

 

[zakmartin]

I've been using the Actron for about 5 years and haven't had any issues with it. It didn't come with a blow-molded case, so I bought a small Rubbermaid plastic box to put everything in. There's lots of small parts I've added since I bought it (t-fittings, different sized tubing, etc.,) so the blow-molded case wouldn't have been all that useful, anyway. I think you'll be fine with either one.

 

[zakmartin]

The pressure release button on mine has leaked since day 1, but I replaced it with a ball valve.

Mine hasn't leaked, but I am interested in the ball valve idea. Which one did you put on it? Any chance you got it on Amazon and can provide a link? Thanks!