Fuel system troubles
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Fuel system troubles
I have a 1996 Explorer AWD 5.0 with 177K miles that just died on me. I think its the fuel pump, since I don't hear it priming any more. I have a pretty good line on diagnosis (I have a chilton manual), but one of the tests is to try to confirm that the fuel pressure regualtor is good. While I'm tearing the fuel system apart (most likely new pump, & new filter) I'd like to determine if my regulator is good.
In the tests I'm supposed to measure the fuel pressure on the fuel rail and pinch the fuel return line closed while keeping an eye on the pressure gauge. Can anyone tell me where to find a soft enough line to pinch on the return side of the fuel system???
Thanks in advance guys!
--Jonathan
In the tests I'm supposed to measure the fuel pressure on the fuel rail and pinch the fuel return line closed while keeping an eye on the pressure gauge. Can anyone tell me where to find a soft enough line to pinch on the return side of the fuel system???
Thanks in advance guys!
--Jonathan
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Salt Lake City, Utah
To test the pump, yes, you pinch the return line closed. However, before you do that, just connect the gauge, and with the pressures that result. Snap the throttle a few times and see what happens. Disconnect the vacuum line from the regulator and the pressure should increase. If the pressures are in the normal ranges and behave properly, then the regulator is fine. Pinching the return line is just for testing the pump pressure, not the regulator.
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
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From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Somewhere along the line, but what I am saying is that if the regualter pressure is within specs, you don't need to proceed to any other tests to confirm that it is working. It is has failed, the pressure will be too high to too low and it won't respond properly to changes in throttle. Plugging the return line is a test to check the pressure of the fuel pump.
As far as answering your question, non of the fuel lines I have seen are soft. The only ones I've seen on my vehicle are either hard steel or rubber with braided steel reinforment. You can take a look underneath the vehicle and see if you can spot any softer lines.
As far as answering your question, non of the fuel lines I have seen are soft. The only ones I've seen on my vehicle are either hard steel or rubber with braided steel reinforment. You can take a look underneath the vehicle and see if you can spot any softer lines.
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ah, plugging the line is another idea ...
Now that I think about it if I disconnect the vacuum line and pressure increases, then yes, that does show that the regulator is working correctly. Basically I'm trying to NOT drop the fuel tank. Maybe if I test enough stuff the fuel pump will magically start working
Thanks for the hint!
--Jonathan
Now that I think about it if I disconnect the vacuum line and pressure increases, then yes, that does show that the regulator is working correctly. Basically I'm trying to NOT drop the fuel tank. Maybe if I test enough stuff the fuel pump will magically start working
Thanks for the hint!
--Jonathan
