Blue Spring Upgrade
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 65
From: 'Pitlock, Maine
Blue Spring Upgrade
I have no way to monitor my fuel pressure on my 07 6.0, however I did do the Blue Spring upgrade when I bought the truck about 50,000 miles ago. My question is, does the blue spring upgrade ever need to be replaced? if so is there a time frame for which they are known to be good? Is it common practice to redo the upgrade at a recommended time/mileage? Thanks for any and all replies.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,883
Likes: 3,595
I wouldn't think that the regulator spring would weaken very quickly. I have over 150k miles on my upgraded spring and (after changing my failing fuel pump) I still have good fuel pressures.
That said, there are a number of ways you can develop low fuel pressure:
- contaminated fuel that can restrict the fuel pickup foot or the fuel filters (this can happen anywhere and anytime)
- failing fuel pump (looks like quite a few people get a pump failure around 200k miles)
- leaking fuel lines (or kinked fuel lines if someone sloppy has done work on them or around them)
- regulator problems (more moving parts than just the spring)
IMO everyone needs a fuel pressure sensor and gauge. Injectors are expensive.
That said, there are a number of ways you can develop low fuel pressure:
- contaminated fuel that can restrict the fuel pickup foot or the fuel filters (this can happen anywhere and anytime)
- failing fuel pump (looks like quite a few people get a pump failure around 200k miles)
- leaking fuel lines (or kinked fuel lines if someone sloppy has done work on them or around them)
- regulator problems (more moving parts than just the spring)
IMO everyone needs a fuel pressure sensor and gauge. Injectors are expensive.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 195
Likes: 15
From: British Columbia, Canada
I wouldn't think that the regulator spring would weaken very quickly. I have over 150k miles on my upgraded spring and (after changing my failing fuel pump) I still have good fuel pressures.
That said, there are a number of ways you can develop low fuel pressure:
- contaminated fuel that can restrict the fuel pickup foot or the fuel filters (this can happen anywhere and anytime)
- failing fuel pump (looks like quite a few people get a pump failure around 200k miles)
- leaking fuel lines (or kinked fuel lines if someone sloppy has done work on them or around them)
- regulator problems (more moving parts than just the spring)
IMO everyone needs a fuel pressure sensor and gauge. Injectors are expensive.
That said, there are a number of ways you can develop low fuel pressure:
- contaminated fuel that can restrict the fuel pickup foot or the fuel filters (this can happen anywhere and anytime)
- failing fuel pump (looks like quite a few people get a pump failure around 200k miles)
- leaking fuel lines (or kinked fuel lines if someone sloppy has done work on them or around them)
- regulator problems (more moving parts than just the spring)
IMO everyone needs a fuel pressure sensor and gauge. Injectors are expensive.
No idea on the pump if/when it was done.
What's the best way to go about monitoring fuel pressure? Where to order a gauge or kit from? Keep in mind I'm up in Canada
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,883
Likes: 3,595
Here is a link to a thread on a gauge from Auber Instruments
https://www.powerstroke.org/forum/ge...olant-lpo.html
https://www.auberins.com/index.php?m...roducts_id=271
Here is another one:
https://www.dynotunenitrous.com/stor...?idproduct=130
http://www.dynotunenitrous.com/store...STRUCTIONS.pdf
https://www.dynotunenitrous.com/stor...p?idproduct=53
Autometer has some:
https://www.autometer.com/gauges.html
Maybe GlowShift does as well.
You need a fitting for the sensor to be installed in the test port:
https://puredieselpower.com/ford/for...r-fitting.html
https://www.strictlydiesel.com/p-267...e-adapter.aspx
https://www.powerstroke.org/forum/ge...olant-lpo.html
https://www.auberins.com/index.php?m...roducts_id=271
Here is another one:
https://www.dynotunenitrous.com/stor...?idproduct=130
http://www.dynotunenitrous.com/store...STRUCTIONS.pdf
https://www.dynotunenitrous.com/stor...p?idproduct=53
Autometer has some:
https://www.autometer.com/gauges.html
Maybe GlowShift does as well.
You need a fitting for the sensor to be installed in the test port:
https://puredieselpower.com/ford/for...r-fitting.html
https://www.strictlydiesel.com/p-267...e-adapter.aspx
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3,420
Likes: 934
From: Fort Worth, TX
My blue spring kit lasted four years. And it wasn't the spring that failed, it was the rubber seal around the brass plunger that the spring seats into. My fuel pressure was dropping into the low 40s at WOT. I didn't know until I installed a fuel pressure gauge. It could have lasted less than four years, actually.
I have a nearly brand new fuel pressure gauge for sale if you're interested.
I have a nearly brand new fuel pressure gauge for sale if you're interested.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 3,941
Likes: 240
From: Texas
My blue spring kit lasted four years. And it wasn't the spring that failed, it was the rubber seal around the brass plunger that the spring seats into. My fuel pressure was dropping into the low 40s at WOT. I didn't know until I installed a fuel pressure gauge. It could have lasted less than four years, actually.
I have a nearly brand new fuel pressure gauge for sale if you're interested.
I have a nearly brand new fuel pressure gauge for sale if you're interested.
Message me with details on the fuel pressure gauge...
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3,420
Likes: 934
From: Fort Worth, TX
Yes, it was a Motorcraft blue spring kit.
Details on the gauge in 4,3,2, ...
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New User
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
I rectified my fuel pressure issues with a sinister diesel regulated return fuel system with under hood mechanical gauge and in cab fuel pressure gauge. Set pressure to 55ish psi at idle never went below 50 at wot. If you want it message me. I'm in Canada.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 65
From: 'Pitlock, Maine
Thanks bismic, I don't believe I have a fuel pressure problem at this time...I was more concerned if the blue spring upgrade had a known life span and a recommended swap out mileage/time frame. I'm going to look into the fuel pressure gauge set up though, it may be something I will do later toward summer when I start using my truck regularly. I try not to use it in the winters due to the calcium the state uses on the highways here. I use it mostly to pull my fifth wheel now and some traveling in the summer.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
Another vote for a fuel pressure gauge - Two years ago I installed a blue spring upgrade, fuel pressure was great for two days, then that little rubber seal folded within itself and fuel pressure dropped down into the low 40s. If I hadn't had the gauge, I'd probably driven the truck until one or more injectors failed, so simply installing the kit without a way to monitor things could put one in a hard place - behind a tow truck.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,883
Likes: 3,595
I didn't have a fuel pressure problem .... until I did. BTW - I was not experiencing ANY issues w/ engine performance when my fuel pump started to fail and the pressure dropped. It still accelerated just fine.
As kgburns posted - how else would you know you were jeopardizing the injectors?
As kgburns posted - how else would you know you were jeopardizing the injectors?
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3,420
Likes: 934
From: Fort Worth, TX
My performance was completely normal too, at least until my truck developed a high-frequency tapping sound at 3000 RPMs. That's when I installed the gauge. The sound is still there, but at least I know my fuel pressure is back where it needs to be. I would bet money that noise is a bad injector.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3,420
Likes: 934
From: Fort Worth, TX
Speaking of fuel pressure, here's an interesting idea I ran across today:
Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator Housing
https://www.accuratediesel.com/shop/290.html
Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator Housing
https://www.accuratediesel.com/shop/290.html