Sunpro gauge install kit

[grand_wag_85]

Finally broke down and bought a Sunpro gauge kit, one of the ones with water temp, volts and oil pressure. The first thing I did was ditch the plastic tubing for the oil pressure sender and get a length of copper tubing, then I put it together according to the instructions.

When I turned the key the oil pressure gauge came to life and immediately fell back to zero. The brass compression fitting supplied with the kit was torn in two and oil was shooting from the motor, I've never seen this happen except when people are stupid enough to use them on brake lines. I replaced the fitting with another one and about a minute after I started the Jeep I got the same thing again but this time inside the cab. I ended up replacing the compression fitting in the cab and all was well, kinda.

I didn't have any problems with the oil stuff anymore but when the Jeep got to operating temperature the brass coolant probe adapter supplied with the kit busted in half just like the compression fittings. It looks to me like Sunpro has the cheapest brass on the market, I can understand one failure over the lifetime of a product but 3 failures in the first day? I called Sunpro and was told to mail the entire kit to their processing center and I should be notified within 4-6 weeks if it was their error. They said they would replace it if it was faulty, it they deemed it as installer error I'd be out the kit. After $5 at the parts store it is in proper working order, no point in tearing it down.

Have any of you guys run into a problem like this? This is my first time dealing with Sunpro but after this I think they can kiss my AMC 20.

[drlocke]

Originally Posted by grand_wag_85

Finally broke down and bought a Sunpro gauge kit, one of the ones with water temp, volts and oil pressure. The first thing I did was ditch the plastic tubing for the oil pressure sender and get a length of copper tubing, then I put it together according to the instructions.

When I turned the key the oil pressure gauge came to life and immediately fell back to zero. The brass compression fitting supplied with the kit was torn in two and oil was shooting from the motor, I've never seen this happen except when people are stupid enough to use them on brake lines. I replaced the fitting with another one and about a minute after I started the Jeep I got the same thing again but this time inside the cab. I ended up replacing the compression fitting in the cab and all was well, kinda.

I didn't have any problems with the oil stuff anymore but when the Jeep got to operating temperature the brass coolant probe adapter supplied with the kit busted in half just like the compression fittings. It looks to me like Sunpro has the cheapest brass on the market, I can understand one failure over the lifetime of a product but 3 failures in the first day? I called Sunpro and was told to mail the entire kit to their processing center and I should be notified within 4-6 weeks if it was their error. They said they would replace it if it was faulty, it they deemed it as installer error I'd be out the kit. After $5 at the parts store it is in proper working order, no point in tearing it down.

Have any of you guys run into a problem like this? This is my first time dealing with Sunpro but after this I think they can kiss my AMC 20.

I've had these compression fittings fail. But you can get replacements for them from most auto parts suppliers.

Get over it, and go with the flow.

Good on ya for ditching that crappy plastic pipe stuff for the copper.

It may take a bit of tampering. but you'll get it.

Stay with it;l you'll win in the end. This is just how this goes--trust me!

Pain in the poo-poo panties--isn't it...?

I had hot engine oil pour onto my left metatarsals. Did I enjoy this? No!

Gotta remember that a lot of this crap is made by imbeciles in China. And you need to have a "rear guard" action going all the time when you install any gear of any brand. Coz it is almost ALL made in CHINA! Some of it is OK. Most of it is dirt.

Eventually this third world country will learn how to make things that are of good quality and affordable.

And perhaps so will China.

[drlocke]

One other tip I will offer up is that to reduce possible engine noise in the oil pressure gauge is to do a few 3" diameter winds immediately off the fitting on the motor, and then line the remainder of the copper tubing in vacuum rubber tubing of appropriate I/D between and through the firewall to the meter...

Just a thought....

[grand_wag_85]

Originally Posted by drlocke

One other tip I will offer up is that to reduce possible engine noise in the oil pressure gauge is to do a few 3" diameter winds immediately off the fitting on the motor, and then line the remainder of the copper tubing in vacuum rubber tubing of appropriate I/D between and through the firewall to the meter...

Just a thought....

Yup! Seems to work good and the needle does not bounce as much as I expected. Other than the bad fittings it works good.

[mdill]

Sunpro is pretty much a good example of you get what you pay for, i.e you don't pay alot and they are pretty much not worth that.

Mike D.

[grand_wag_85]

Mike-
I'm new to aftermarket gauges and stuff, who do you recommend?
Thanks!

[wickedwagon767]

Autometer

[Gambler68]

Huh..my sunpro cluster has a metal line for the oil.

Compression fittings fail if you squeeze em too hard on install or leave too much of the line peeking out (take what sunpro says and halve it) . I learned that that the hard way when I broke my metal oil line into the cab and had to cut it, reflare it, and scramble for the last tiny brass fittings left at the hardware store.

[Chevelleguy]

Originally Posted by grand_wag_85

Mike-
I'm new to aftermarket gauges and stuff, who do you recommend?
Thanks!

Autometer, without question.

[drlocke]

Originally Posted by Chevelleguy

Autometer, without question.

Ayuh! That's what I have in my Wag. The neat thing is that the pal that got 'em for me ordered 'em so that when my engine is operating normally the needles are all pointing in the same direction. This means I can see that things are OK at a glance!

[FSJ Guy]

Ditch that oil pressure gauge immediately!!!

I had one of those blow up on me once, too. I then switched over to one with an ELECTRIC sender. MUCH safer, reliable and it worked, too.

[grand_wag_85]

Thanks guys!

[brubakes]

Originally Posted by mdill

Sunpro is pretty much a good example of you get what you pay for, i.e you don't pay alot and they are pretty much not worth that.

Mike D.

I do normally agree with this statement, but (knock on wood) my SunPro tach has been doing a good job.

[brubakes]

Originally Posted by grand_wag_85

Mike-
I'm new to aftermarket gauges and stuff, who do you recommend?
Thanks!

Another vote for Autometer. I have them in my Wrangler.

[brubakes]

Is this the kit you are talking about? CLICK.

[grand_wag_85]

Looks like it.

[djongeward]

Mine are working fine. I installed them as a temporary way to get mechanical readings. I don't trust electric gages. Cheep and good insurance. I'm keeping them as well as their tiny tach I mounted on my steering collumn. I did replace the plastic with copper to the firewall and then used plastic. I had one slight accident with oil on my knee from the inside connector, just tightened it a bit more and no more problems. If you don't want them, I'm looking to buy another tiny temp gage, I'll buy the whole set from you for cheap if you want to unload it. I can't seem to find individual ones for sale, that size only comes in sets. Almost worth it to buy the set I suppose.