What to check with no fuel pressure at the rail.

[Devin]

My car has been sitting for about a year now, and I have been working on getting it running again. I had it running but needed to remove the intake to get at some stuff. After reinstalling it, I wasn't getting fuel to the rail. I realized I hadn't reconnected the vacuum line to the FPR, and after doing that and cycling the pump I had pressure. However, the pressure dropped again, and I get nothing when depressing the schrader valve. Any thoughts on what to check?

 

[Devin]

Is there a way I can test the FPR?

 

[zoomlater]

If you don't have a fuel pressure gauge, I'm pretty sure Orielly's will rent them to you. You can check the pressure when the key on, but not started and then see how fast it drops. You can also check the pressure when the car is running.

 

[Devin]

I have a gauge and it reads zero, even after multiple priming attempts. Also, I get nothing when depressing the shrader valve. I took the intake off and have all the components off. Gas dripped out of the non-vacuum actuated regulator, but the vacuum one didn't seem to have fluid in it.

 

[zoomlater]

Can you hear the pump running strongly each time? One of my cars, the gas would just trickle out of the schrader valve, but still wound run. How much pressure did you have the first time around.

 

[Devin]

First time I checked I just pushed the valve in manually and got a spray. After that I didn't get a spray, and nothing shows on the gauge.

 

[zoomlater]

Did you try loosening the fuel pressure regulator to see if gas come out at the base. Seems strange you have no pressure now. Is it possible the switch in the trunk tripped somehow?

 

[Devin]

Got something this time.

KOEO

Way short of 33-39 PSI

Although I don't have the intake hooked up. Just something to keep it from venting to atmosphere.

 

[Devin]

I swapped out all the rail components, aside from the hose, and primed three times, and got only about 15 PSI.

I've already replaced the fuel filter with no change. Does this indicate a weak pump?

 

[BaySHO Performance]

The stock FPR is supposed to hold pressure for a while after the engine is turned off. All the aftermarket ones I've installed, the pressure goes straight to zero. However, the cars run fine. If your car starts and runs, the only thing you might want to do is replace the FPR, but definitely keep an eye open for a weak fuel pump.

 

[Devin]

So I realized that my gauge is busted. I had a full fuel rail, so fuel is going through the system. I took the FPR, pulse damper, banjo and schrader valve off, cleaned them all and got my injectors cleaned. I ordered new crush washers which should be here tomorrow. I'm still uncertain how to test the FPR. A new one costs $130 at rock auto, so I don't really want to go that route unless I have to.

 

[Devin]

So I realized that my gauge is busted. I had a full fuel rail, so fuel is going through the system. I took the FPR, pulse damper, banjo and schrader valve off, cleaned them all and got my injectors cleaned. I ordered new crush washers which should be here tomorrow. I'm still uncertain how to test the FPR. A new one costs $130 at rock auto, so I don't really want to go that route unless I have to.

I just realized the car has been sitting for two years. Yikes!

 

[zoomlater]

I would try putting it back together and try starting it. Then you can a pressure tester to see what pressure value you get. Were you able to find washers that go between the fuel pressure regulator and damper. I had to reuse my old ones as I could not find any. Could be another part(s) to grab on that junkyard SHO.

 

[Devin]

I measured them and found some that should fit the bill at McMaster Carr. They aren't perfect but I think they'll work.

 

[zoomlater]

I measured them and found some that should fit the bill at McMaster Carr. They aren't perfect but I think they'll work.

Don't crank them down too tight, there was someone else who torque them down too much and it ended up crushing the washer and it was cutting off the fuel after it started up. The one with the rubber gasket in the center is the tough one to find a replacement. If you found one, that's great. There were some NOS full upper gasket sets for sale awhile back and they had those unique washers.

 

[Devin]

Don't crank them down too tight, there was someone else who torque them down too much and it ended up crushing the washer and it was cutting off the fuel after it started up. The one with the rubber gasket in the center is the tough one to find a replacement. If you found one, that's great. There were some NOS full upper gasket sets for sale awhile back and they had those unique washers.

I didn't take out any with rubber washers. Not sure which one that is.

 

[zoomlater]

I didn't take out any with rubber washers. Not sure which one that is.

It is metal washer, but the inside edge had a thin rubber seal

 

[Devin]

It is metal washer, but the inside edge had a thin rubber seal

I ended up reusing that washer and the toothed one. The McMaster crush washers in the other places work fine so far.

I ended up replacing the pump, but I'm not sure if I did that before or after I started this thread. I also got my (original) injectors cleaned and tested, replaced the plugs, coil pack and DIS (thanks SHOSource guys!). Anyway, put new gas in it and it runs as good as before I parked it.