Your fuel pressure regulator is responsible for making sure your engine receives the correct amount of fuel. The fuel pump will send more than needed, so your regulator will make sure that excess gasoline is returned. The following guide will help you diagnose and fix a bad fuel pressure regulator.
Signs Of A Bad Fuel Pressure Regulator
Symptoms to watch out for:
- Darkened spark plugs: All you need to do is check your spark plugs for a black, sooty appearance. This occurs because the delivery of fuel is too rich and is reaching your spark plugs.
- Starting issues: Spitting and sputtering while idling is a sign to look out for, although it could also be a bad fuel filter. Your car may also turn over a few times before starting.
- Black smoke: You may see black smoke from your tailpipe because your engine is flooded. The black smoke is partly burned gasoline.
- Gasoline drip from your exhaust pipe: Your engine is flooded and is simply leaking from your tailpipe.
- Gasoline smell: You will find this smell on your motor oil dipstick. Just take a whiff of your dipstick to check if gasoline has made its way to your engine oil.
The aforementioned are signs of a bad fuel pressure regulator. You can take care of this fix on your own, unless you do not feel comfortable – in which case, just talk to an auto care specialist like Larry Harker's Auto Repair.
Changing Your Fuel Pressure Regulator
Items needed:
- Your auto-specific repair guide
- Wrench
- Fuel pressure regulator
- O-ring specific to your regulator
- Engine oil
Replacement steps:
- Work on your car when the engine is cool.
- Remove the fuel cap, and disconnect the fuel pump relay (you can find this location in your repair guide)
- Start your car, and let it run till it shuts off. Put your key in the off position.
- Remove the negative cable to your battery.
- Locate the fuel pressure regulator using your auto-specific repair guide. This piece resembles a flattened cylinder, and it is about the size of your palm.
- Carefully disconnect all the hoses and lines connected to your regulator.
- Remove bolts attached to your regulator using your wrench. And simply pull out the regulator.
- Remove the o-ring, and oil your new regulator (with the engine oil).
- Attach your new o-ring, and replace your new regulator.
- Bolt down your regulator, and attach all the connections back to it.
Remember that you can still talk to your auto repair specialist if you are not comfortable taking care of this problem on your own. Should the issue continue, then the issue may lie with your injectors or other problems best investigated by your mechanic.
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