Have a no start issue I am working through, have posted particulars previously. Purchased a high pressure gauge today and fittings to adapt it to the IPC port. Initial cranking it has 250ish PSI crank for about 15 seconds and the PSI goes to about 380 - 390. Decided to pull turbo to get at the IPR for air test to command it closed. Since I was there I decided to pull the IPR and give it a quick inspect. The screen is concaved and has a crack in it. Has some small particles, smaller than a piece of table salt, stuck to it but noting of concern I would believe. What I am most concerned about is the concaved screen, is this a normal issue and should I replace the screen or the whole IPR. Secondly should I remove the HPOP cover to inspect the STC fitting and or the HPOP itself and if so what should I be looking for while in there. Figure since I have it this far apart may as well check it all out. Lastly, while putting air to the system should I keep the 12 volts to the IPR constantly to command it closed or just momentarly. I have read that keeping 12 volts to it could burn it out if it is out of the vehicle but not shur if it is OK while it has pressure to it.

 

You can connect your air to the IPC port and I don't believe you have any reason to command IPR closed. Using a "mechanic's stethascope" to listen for the air leak can help greatly narrow down where the leak is--under valve cover or rear/middle of motor. If you already have your turbo off you don't have much more to get to the pump to inspect the STC. I'm not sure about the IPR screen, but I would check for a leaky STC then address the IPR issue IF you actually have one (besides the screen).

 

I was told by a ford tech that you have to command the IPR closed or when you put air to it it will just leak past the back of the HPOP. Havent done it yet to see if there is a difference but assuming that he knows what he is talking about.

 

You do have to close the IPR or install a blocking tool in the pump to block the air or it will just dump back into the crank case. If I ever had to do an air check on an 05 and up, I was wondering if you could take an old non working IPR and pop the screen off and mig weld the hole in the end and reinstall to block air/oil flow.
I think if something cuts a hole in the IPR screen the IPR would need replacing. Something could get in there and jam it up.

 

Good to know about commanding the IPR closed. How long can you apply 12 volts without cooking the IPR?

 

The books say you can damage one in about two minutes. Not much time to run the air check test.

 

The Techs I know (and the Ford training video) actually say no more than 30 seconds.

 

There you go, not much time to run an air pressure test if oil is cold and you have a blown o-ring at the front of the driver side head. That is why I chose to remove the IPR from the situation. I noticed the books don't say how long you are supposed to let it cool before you can energize it again.

 

Not saying this will fix your problem or not but I've heard that if the IPR screen is concaved, cracked, or has any debris in it it's pretty much trashed and you need to replace it. Maybe someone will correct me on this if I'm wrong but i overheard a tech buddy of mine talking about this a while back. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Thanks

Shawn

 

The IPR is getting replaced along with the STC, since I pulled the HPOP cover only to discover that it has the original STC fitting.