fuel pressure regulator

[91expl-sport]

I started the truck this afternoon and had a strong smell of gas inside and outside of the truck. Checked the engine and discovered that it was leaking from where the line (where the fuel pressure regulator connects to). (Actually where they both connect with each other) Before going up stairs to get tools I took off the gas cap and started the truck it still leaked. Well came back down and started the truck again and it stop leaking, drove for an hour and no problem. Is it posible that the fuel pressure regulator is not working correctly and back pressure build up. Sometimes, after it sits for a while it cranks for 2-5 seconds before it starts, and on good days it fires (starts) right up. Hate to replace the fuel pressure regulator. I was praying it’s the line. how much is a fuel pressure regulator is this a dear's part?

 

[91expl-sport]

Called Ford Dealer and they said the fuel pressure regulator cost $143.99. Anyone out there know where i can get a cheap fuel pressure regulator...


THX

 

[JJW]

Just got one today at Auto Zone for 74.99. It's a Sorensen, the oem is a Borg Warner. I got the same price as you from a dealer. Any parts place should have them, or be able to get one. Good luck.

 

[rock883]

How hard is it to replace the regulator, I have the Haynes manual but its kinda hard to tell where its at. When lookin straight at the engine where is it at? Also, how long will it take?

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1991 2wd Ford Explorer XL-mostly stock, but working on it E-mail--RATM128@AOL.COM

 

[Ira]

Well, I am by no means an expert at this but let me tell you my experience from the last 2 days. Yesterday, went on a trip (150 miles roundtrip) and after stopping for a couple of hours and then getting ready to start back, I also smelled gas from around the engine compartment. After a few minutes, the smell stopped. Came back home and no more smells.
Started to work this morning, and the check engine light came on (for the 1st time) about 2 minutes from work...had been driving about 15-20 minutes. Got to work, shut off the engine and restarted engine...no light. Left work this afternoon and drove home (15 minutes) still no check engine light. ??????? Invaded by Martians????

Figured from postings I have seen that it must be fuel pressure regulator so I decided to check prices. Called local Ford dealer and they wanted to know calibration code...time to scratch...head. Asked where it was at and he told me on a sticker on the door. Went out and looked and all I found was the tire pressures and VIN code. He then decided to tell me to check on the door post around the striker plate (where the door closes). Found it and told him. He then told me he showed 2 different part #s and I would have to bring the old one in. He said the price was $134 for one and $143 for the other, just depending on which one it uses. I can already tell, it will be the $143 one...never lucky enough for the cheaper one. He said he could let me have the $134 one for $85 or the $143 one for $90...what a nice guy, I don't know him from Adam. Decided to call Autozone and Advance and they gave me prices of $72.99 and $73.99 and never asked for a calibration code. Moral of the story...Ford must be willing to be competitive if they automatically cut the price by 35% without even asking or they are already buying these things for next to nothing. Of course I will not complain.

As for your delay in starting, I have had mine for about 6 months and it has never started in less than 3-5 seconds of cranking, hot or cold. I had thought maybe the regulator may be letting the pressure bleed off quickly when the engine is shut down and this delay is just what is required to let the fuel pump build the pressure back when restarting. Have a friend who has a 92 model and he said it takes his 3-5 seconds to start also and has ever since it was new.

I have not looked at my tailpipe to see if it is black from a rich fuel mixture but have been wondering why my MPG seems to be slowly dropping. Best I have ever got was 18.5 but recently have been getting around 16.

I too have been wondering how hard it is to replace. I have not seen much about it in the aftermarket service manuals.

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Ira

91 XLT 4x4

 

[dave zavetsky]

I too have had the expereneice where a dealer is able to "slash" their parts price....

In this case it was a Dodge dealer......

Turns out, there are "list prices" that most of the dealers charge.....Then there are the rebel places that will cut a consumer a break once in a while.....They call it the "garage price".....

This is the price that they usually charge local garages (cheaper) and their own folks.....

Remember...a dealer doesnt make the profit when they sell the car...they make the big money in repairs and service! Explain why else the dealers around here charge $40 for an oil change when the local quik-lube can charge $20.........After all, an oil change is an oil change is an oil change for the most part........No special procedures that the dealer does any differently....

 

[91expl-sport]

Thanks guys for your help.....

I ordered the fuel pressure regulator form Auto Zone (72.99)...but it now looks like I have to replace the fuel pressure regulator high pressure hose or line, that attaches to the fuel pressure regulator. Thats where it is leaking from. Again called ford dealer and the quote was 163.99. they stated that those high pressure are sold in pairs.

Anyone know how to disconnect the high fuel pressure hose?

Could it be loose?

 

[JJW]

I just replaced the fuel pressure regulator on my 92xlt. It took 35 mins. I ran it out of gas by pulling the fuse link for the fuel pump while it was running. But beware, there was still plenty of pressure in the line. Mostly air ,but some gas also. It was fairly easy. 11/16 wrench for the fuel line,8mm socket for the regulator. They did not ask for any code when I got it. Maybe its just for 91 model. Hope this helps my 11 mpg.

 

[Syder-1]

Hello JJW,

11 mpg, I am close second at 12 mpg. But I think my last tank will be close to 11 mpg (nothing to brag about). I really noticed that my mpg took a nose dive in the colder weather. My check engine light has never come on, and no codes have been detected. I was wondering what your symptoms were/are, if any, besides the crappy gas mileage, before you changed your fuel pressure regulator. Could you please let me know and advise if changing the fuel pressure regulator improved your mileage. I have checked many sensors and the fpr and all have checked out okay (supposedly). I have a 1991 xlt 4 x 4 with 158,000 km.

Look forward to your reply.

Thanx...Syder-1

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doo doo happens

 

[rock883]

Well, I think I might have the worst gas mileage: 9 mpg!!! I just changed the O2 sensor this weekend, and it doesn't look like a great improvement in mileage, so I am thinking that it is the fuel pressure regulator. Hey JJW, you said it only took you 35 minutes...if you are looking down into the engine compartment, where is the thing located at?? I have the haynes but i can't really make out the picture.

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1991 2wd Ford Explorer XL-mostly stock, but working on it E-mail--RATM128@AOL.COM

 

[91expl-sport]

I read the Procedures from the Explorer maint page
"The fuel pressure regulator is attached to the fuel rail with two 8mm bolts. To remove these, I used a 1/4in drive ratchet with a short (2in) extension and a swivel. To get to the bolt closest to the firewall I slipped the extension and swivel underneath the wiring harness that runs through this area. After removing the 8mm bolts I then used a 17mm open end wrench to disconnect the fuel line that enters the top of the regulator."
ok I can see the fuel pressure regulator and i remove the plastic cover that protects the fuel line that enters the top of the regulator but can not see the 17mm nut. althrough there is a rubber around where the regulator and line meets..pls hlp

 

[RON COX]

91expl-sport,
thought you should konw according to CARQUEST there are two styles of fuel pressure regulators. One with the nut on top and one with the pressure fitting. I had the same leaky fuel problem a few months ago. But it was'nt the regulator, it was the small washer and "O" ring on the pressure side. I could not get the "O" ring from anyone. I had to buy the lines (Ford sells them as a kit)presure and return that run from the regulator across the front on the engine to the drivers side. The whole assembly is only 30" long and costs about $160. Its a chore to route the lines, but it can be done without disassembling to much. Hope that helps!

 

[Ira]

Hey guys,
Just thought I would update my posting from yesterday. I was getting a check engine light after driving for about 15 mins. I could shut the engine off and restart and it would not come back on until I drove another 15 mins. Bought a code scanner at Wal-mart for $24.97. When I checked the codes, it was showing O2 sensor in the stored codes. I still have the scanner hooked but turned off. I want to see what kind of reading I get when the check engine light comes back on in the morning. I just checked my codes about 6 weeks ago and had none. According to my service manual, it says the computer goes into a fixed or preset loop for the O2 until the sensor reaches 600+ degrees. After it gets to this temp, the output from the sensor is supposed to pull it out of the loop and computer starts using this input to change the injector pulse width. I guess now it makes sense why it would not come on until it had been driven for 15 mins.

I also bought a fuel pressure gauge today at Autozone ($35) and it screws directly into the fuel rail to test the fuel pressure, and hopefully determine if the fuel pressure regulator is bad. Manual said pressure at idle should be 30-45 PSI. You can also check to see if you have an injector that is leaking by using this gauge. It said when the engine is shut off, it should still read 30-40 PSI after 5 mins. If it reads less, it could be one of the injectors or the regulator allowing it to bleed back off.

Also, don't forget to reset your computer when you change your O2 sensor or fuel pressure regulator. Otherwise, it could take 500-1000 miles of driving before the computer actually realizes and learns it has a change to make in it's programming.

Anyone have any recommendations on what brand of O2 sensor to buy?

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Ira

91 XLT 4x4


[This message has been edited by Ira (edited 01-06-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Ira (edited 01-06-2000).]

 

[JJW]

As you look at the engine, follow the top radiator hose to the engine.The hose almost rubs on it on mine right before it clamps to the goose neck. I have the one with the fuel line on top. They must have got lucky when they ordered it cause I got the right one. The symptoms were mpg that kept going down hill even after new plugs and wires for 4 weeks, then rough idle followed by hard starting about 2 weeks. I am not a mechanic, but figured from reading that it was the most logical thing to go. Besides it has 88,000 miles on it and is hitting the " need new parts age".I keep track of my milage every fill, so I will post if there was any change or not in the first week next Friday. Hope this helps out, good luck. PS I almost forgot,the hardest part of the swap was getting the vacuum line off. My regulator is the one in illustration number 14.5a in the Haynes book page 4-15.

[This message has been edited by JJW (edited 01-07-2000).]

 

[Gigantor]

JJW,
Your about right on the time, it took my friend about 35 min do his. I have not replaced mine yet but I will by next weekend 12mpg on the highway is not so good.

Anybody have any hints on how to replace the thremostat?

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Nick
'93 XLT 4 Door 4x4

 

[sluke]

Ira
I just put a bosch o2 sensor on my 1991. GOt it at autozone for $47+tax.
The old one i pulled off was also a bosch. I don't know how long it had been on there, but i have a 146,000 miles on my xplorer. Also, i had the fuel pressure regulator tested and it showed 36 psi at idle, so i won't be changing that. So far, with the new o2 sensor, my mileage has improved a great deal.

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shawna l.

 

[Ira]

Now the plot thickens. Left to go to work this morning and still had the code reader connected to the diagnostic harness (had it turned off). Got to work and, surprise.....no check engine light. I believe the engine is possessed.

Got a chance this afternoon to check my fuel pressure. It was reading 37 PSI at idle which was in spec. Rev it a little and still no change. Turned the engine off with the gauge still connected and the pressure went up to 45 and stayed there for over 15 minutes so I just disconnected the gauge.

Checked the codes again this afternoon after resetting them last night and now I am showing no codes. I believe I will forget about the diagnostics and just call an exorcist.

Any ideas?

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Ira

91 XLT 4x4

 

[JJW]

Well its been a week with the new pressure regulator and my milage is now 11.5 mpg. I think its time to quit fartin in the wind and buy a code reader. Or take another guesstamate and replace the o2 sensor.It sure was a let down at the pumps. On the brighter side, Dead Link Removed,I hit a deer square on with the front of my 92 doin 50 mph. The only damage I have is to the brushguard. Dead Link Removed Its twisted just a bit. I took a lot of jabs when I first put it on, but now it was well worth it. Now my 92 went from "warthog" to "deer slayer". What a deal. Dead Link Removed

 

[Mulepick]

I am not having any codes but suffer from rough idle and occasional ping. I've been meaning to change the pressure regulator for some time and ordered same from Wrenchead.com yesterday. Borg-Warner, $72.98, no tax, no shipping charge.