Pressure check = Bad FPR?

[Nate1]

I just ran out and bought a fuel pressure tester, tested my pressure, and got a constant 65psi pressure, at idle, no matter how long left running. Revs do nothing... its almost rock solid 60-65 psi. So I'm guessing its a bad FPR, so my Q is how hard is it to replace? FPN shows it for $1.05, so I think I can afford to get OEM Ford one for less (shipping ), but IDK how hard it is to replace, or even what it looks like.
I'm guessing this is the source of my bad idle and poor gas milage, so I would like to fix it pronto... if I need to have a shop do it I will.
Thanks guys,
-----Nate

 

[james t]

60 psi is way way high. you're right, its gone...

were can you get a fuel pressure regulator for a dollar-something??? was that a typo???

 

[Nate1]

www.fordpartsnetwork.com
Cheap sohc FPR:
Dead Link Removed

Edit: anyone with a picture of one on a SOHC or details on difficulty of changing? Thanks

 

[Nate1]

Bump

 

[SteveVB]

Pick up a Chiltons or a Haynes manual- they both cover the FPR replacement. 15 bucks or so and you can see what it will take and wheter you can do it.

Good Luck

 

[Nate1]

Already have one, no pictures supplied... any other ideas? Any of you guys with those Ford service CDs?
Thanks

 

[Opera House]

Fuel pressure regulators for $1.05

Hey, I'll get a dozen. Think they are quite a bit more than that. I don't know about the newer ones but the older ones used to be about 40#. Haynes still lists that pressure. Who knows how acurate the gauge is. I've seen some off 7#. If it doesn't vary, look for a disconected vacuum line. At some point I heard these were going to electronic pressure monitors and they were going to vary the pump voltage and control injector time intervals and not worry about regulating.

This may be a false reading. When I take a pressure reading, I have to remove the schraeder valve because my fitting doesn't press it open. You may just be seeing a one way leakage. Some gauges have a button to latch the highest pressure and keep it.

 

[Nate1]

Well I know the tester is accurate, I have used it on two other cars and they both show normal readings....
it does vary with revving, but VERY little. I attributed this to the 100% pressure the rails are getting nonstop, so with 100% pressure, the extra revs wouldn't do much.
I dont know about fordpartnetwork's price, I suppose I will call...
I am inexperienced with removing the upper intake manifold... or removing the rails/injectors... I think my best bet will be taking this to the con artists aka Ford.
Any suggestions?
-----Nate

 

[SteveVB]

Originally posted by nweibley
Already have one, no pictures supplied... any other ideas? Any of you guys with those Ford service CDs?
Thanks

Haynes manual has numerous photos and call outs of the FPR for the OHV and the SOHC - maybe you can find one of those. chapter 4

 

[Nate1]

Didnt have it handy, a friend was checking it for me (idiot friend). It does have the pics, sorry.
I dont know about that, I'm not too confident in my ability to take off the upper intake manifold and fuel rails/injectors, sounds like something I could easily screw up and get expensive really quick.
I think I should take it in.

 

[james t]

wait... wait... wait... you have a 99 right? it doesnt have a FPR on the fuel rail. i think that is the year the returnless style was started, and the pressure will be controlled at the pump.

if its returnless, you have no FPR...

 

[Nate1]

So should my pressure be 65, because IMO thats high and would explain my poor mileage and rough idle... ARUGH I want to solve this... (you're right, there is no return line, now what?)
-----Nate

 

[james t]

yes, 65 is way too high. there is a sensor of sorts on the driver side rear part of the fuel rail. from what i understand, this sensor reads fuel pressure and sends a signal back to the computer. the computer adjusts pressure at the pump. if this sensor is bad, it will send a false signal to the 'puter, which will tell the pump to up pressure when it shouldnt. this would be the first thing i would look at.

how to test the sensor? that i dont know...

 

[Nate1]

Thanks a ton james, I'll look for that when I get home...
Can anyone out there with one of those Ford service CDs get anymore info on this I know I'm being a PITA but I know ford will con me outta money to explain/diagnose this...
Thanks,
-----Nate

 

[b]

Nate, did you get your fuel pressure fixed?

Does anyone know if autozone will test the pressure on the FPR for free?

Thanks all!

 

[james t]

no, but they will rent the guage to you for free. you basically pay a deposit and when you return it you get your deposit back.

 

[Nate1]

Apparently we 99s have returnless fuel systems where pressure is controlled at the pump, and *allegedly* 65psi is right. I just left it alone, there isnt a ton of info on the returnless system that I can find.