Fuel Pressure Regulator

[MP81]

Okay, lately, the car has been a little hard to start (requires like 5-10 seconds of cranking) after I've turned the key and let the fuel pump prime for like 15 seconds. The car usually starts just fine after that (though it didn't seem to this morning), so it's no real biggie, but since my pump is new (and I can definately hear it priming), I'm thinking the FPR might be going (this thing is definately factory).

What way(s) would I go about checking the fuel pressure regulator to determine if it's bad?

[Phantom409]

Well there is only one way to check it.
You should have a Shradder valve on your fuel rail and that is where you check your fuel perssure.
You will need a fuel perssure gauge to check it and you can get those at a local parts store but they are about 50-70.00 depending on the brand.

When was the last time you changed your filter???

[MP81]

I changed the filter like a week before I changed my pump - which was like last August.

I remember someone saying something about pressing on the return line from the FPR or something like that...

[my95z28]

you can push the schrader valve down and release pressure. CAREFULL, if you do have good pressure it will blast gas out of there. You don't want to blast fuel all over your engine when it is hot.

[MP81]

Yeah, I think somethings amiss with the FPR...

Usually it ticks, which is common - but as of late, it sometimes doesn't...

Didn't start well at all today, I've had to give it gas to start, which I usually don't have to... Ugh.

[1BADAIR]

remove vacuum from the regulator while watching pressure.

[MP81]

Vacuum is the line that runs to the plenum, right?

So, what should I watch for in the pressure?

[WMCCjames]

Remove vacuum and pressure should jump 8-10psi.....yes it is the small rubber hose that runs to the back of the plenum.

[tenpin842]

when I swapped all my intake stuff, I bought a Holley AFPR. I like the idea of the large dial that you can turn. Plus it looks nice. With my cam and intake swap, I bumped it up a few pounds. I haven't checked it this year....but I should be about 49lbs.

[MP81]

Yeah, was being an absolute ***** to start leaving school...

Sounded weird cranking, though...like it was slow, but not the stressful sound like if you have a low battery...

So, how the hell do I test my starter?

[tenpin842]

Best bet is to take it somewhere like advance auto and have them hook their machine up to test it.

[MP81]

Okay, yesterday morning, it would not start at all.

Turned the key and let the fuel pump prime for like 30 seconds, then I turned the key, but as I kept cranking to try and get it to fire (I was pressing the gas pedal, but with no effect), the cranking got slower and slower, and I watched my battery gauge go down and down, until it got to the point of where it starts clicking - which set my alarm off. Disarmed it, turned off the ignition, turned it back on and started cranking again - same thing.

Got pissed (keep in mind, I was trying to leave for school here), and waited about 3 minutes and came back, and it fired right up.


I'm thinking it's the starter...since it "drained" my battery like that (temporary drain).
Now I know that the cold (37* that morning) probably had something to do with it (was fine the rest of the day, and today)

[lozanoa11]

well get it tested along with the battery don't jump to conclusions.

[MP81]

Battery was put in just before winter. It's a Delco battery.

[WMCCjames]

Just go through the standard drill....easy fix.

Just going by memory..the ecm will shut off the injectors when the voltage drops below 10.5 volts, so no amount of "pumping" the gas will work.