Fuel pressure regulator

Fuel pressure regulator

Author
Discussion

A900ss

Original Poster:

3,269 posts

164 months

Thursday 15th May 2014
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Can somebody please confirm (or not) if this is the correct fuel pressure regulator for a Chimaera avoiding the Tvr tax?

Thanks


http://www.island-4x4.co.uk/fuel-pressure-regulato...


Alexdaredevils

5,697 posts

191 months

Thursday 15th May 2014
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They don't often fail, have you tested yours?

A900ss

Original Poster:

3,269 posts

164 months

Thursday 15th May 2014
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I'm doing lots of tests tomorrow and this is a 'just in case everyone is working tomorrow and I get no response' request for information


phazed

22,119 posts

216 months

Friday 16th May 2014
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Nice one Dave smile

ChimpOnGas

9,637 posts

191 months

Friday 16th May 2014
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The fuel pressure regulator is calibrated to hold rail pressure at a constant 2.5 Bar which is 36psi.

Take your pressure reading at the Schrader valve on the rail with the vac pipe removed & blocked off, or better still just leave connected but clamp it.
  • Fit your fuel pressure gauge to Shrader valve on the fuel rail
  • Turn the key to the on position
  • Disengage the immobiliser
  • Listen for the fuel pump buzz for 3-5 seconds
  • Observe fuel pressure (34 PSI is fine)
  • Start engine
  • Observe fuel pressure (36 PSI is fine)
  • If pressure is significantly lower or higher replace fuel pressure regulator
  • Run and keep & eye on the gauge to ensure pressure is maintained
  • If pressure rises or drops off replace fuel pressure regulator
  • Turn engine off
  • Observe fuel pressure is maintained (34 PSI is fine)
  • If pressure drops off rapidly replace fuel pressure regulator (a one way valve may also help)
There are further tests you can do with the vac pipe connected to establish the fuel pressure regulator is working correctly under load, but you'll need to do this on the road while driving unless you're lucky enough to have accesses to a rolling road facility.

The fuel pressure regulator is a very reliable unit and rarely fails, the wiring to the fuel pump on the other hand is poor and can mean the pump doesn't receive sufficient amps to operate at full power which in turn can mean lower than ideal fuel pressure.

A one way valve (check valve) is also a good idea as fuel can drain back through the pump leaving it momentarily dry after a long lay up causing extended cranking when you first start the car, the high pressure fuel pump must have fuel to pull against to work correctly.

Given the correct voltage & amps the external type Bosch high pressure fuel pumps as fitted to Chims & Griffs are very efficient, they are excellent at pushing fuel but are not particularly efficient at pulling it from the supply (tank).

Consequently many vehicles with this type of external high pressure fuel pump were also fitted with a second low pressure high volume lift pump (normally fitted inside the petrol tank), it's job being purely to get a good volume of fuel to the back of the high pressure pump so it can do it's job of pushing fuel at high pressure to the rail.

An example of this duel pump system can be found on the Porsche 928, amongst many others.

While not essential, adding a high volume low pressure lift pump at the tank pickup to supply the Bosch high pressure pump can help with cold starts after a long layup, the addition of a check valve between high pressure pump & the fuel filter may also be advantageous.

QBee

21,601 posts

156 months

Friday 16th May 2014
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type I'm going to print that off and add it to my folder marked "Chimpo's bumper TVR service manual". Nice one Dave clap

QBee

21,601 posts

156 months

Friday 16th May 2014
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Pop the car down to a local friendly garage? They will have one.

Or Ebay:

linky

A900ss

Original Poster:

3,269 posts

164 months

Friday 16th May 2014
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I don't have a pressure gauge to test frown but when I pull the vacuum pipe off the regulator it smells strongly of petrol. If I suck on the pipe and put my tongue over it, there is a light vacuum though. However once I've done that I then have to spit all the petrol smell out of my mouth as when I suck hard, it really tastes of petrol. No petrol has come out though, just very strong fumes/smell.

ChimpOnGas

9,637 posts

191 months

Saturday 17th May 2014
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A900ss said:
I don't have a pressure gauge to test frown but when I pull the vacuum pipe off the regulator it smells strongly of petrol. If I suck on the pipe and put my tongue over it, there is a light vacuum though. However once I've done that I then have to spit all the petrol smell out of my mouth as when I suck hard, it really tastes of petrol. No petrol has come out though, just very strong fumes/smell.
That certainly sounds like fuel is leaking past the diaphragm, a replacement fuel pressure regulator is the answer.

Google the Land Rover part number: ETC8494

I suspect you'll find three options:

  • Original Land Rover new/old stock
  • Bosch
  • Alternative (BritPart)
I'd steer clear of BritPart and go original or Bosch but be prepared to spend £90 plus which is criminal.

Your other option is to fit an adjustable after market FPR, if you go this route just make sure you buy a quality one and avoid the rising rate type.

Personally I'd have a ring round a few Land Rover breakers and pay £20 for a good used original.


A900ss

Original Poster:

3,269 posts

164 months

Saturday 17th May 2014
quotequote all
ChimpOnGas said:
A900ss said:
I don't have a pressure gauge to test frown but when I pull the vacuum pipe off the regulator it smells strongly of petrol. If I suck on the pipe and put my tongue over it, there is a light vacuum though. However once I've done that I then have to spit all the petrol smell out of my mouth as when I suck hard, it really tastes of petrol. No petrol has come out though, just very strong fumes/smell.
That certainly sounds like fuel is leaking past the diaphragm, a replacement fuel pressure regulator is the answer.

Google the Land Rover part number: ETC8494

I suspect you'll find three options:

  • Original Land Rover new/old stock
  • Bosch
  • Alternative (BritPart)
I'd steer clear of BritPart and go original or Bosch but be prepared to spend £90 plus which is criminal.

Your other option is to fit an adjustable after market FPR, if you go this route just make sure you buy a quality one and avoid the rising rate type.

Personally I'd have a ring round a few Land Rover breakers and pay £20 for a good used original.
I've ordered from Clever Trevor hoping its a 'good' one rather than a BritPart. Fingers crossed it arrives today as I have a spare day today and after that won't be able to for for about 4 weeks.

A900ss

Original Poster:

3,269 posts

164 months

Saturday 17th May 2014
quotequote all
Postman has just delivered a nice shiny new Vacuum advance unit (mine won't hold any vacuum when you suck) and a new fuel pressure regulator. Bosch 0 280 167 257 2.5 Bar.

It's a shame that I won't be out in the sun today but hey ho.

blitzracing

6,412 posts

232 months

Saturday 17th May 2014
quotequote all
ChimpOnGas said:
The fuel pressure regulator is calibrated to hold rail pressure at a constant 2.5 Bar which is 36psi.

  • Start engine
  • Observe fuel pressure (36 PSI is fine)
Dont forget the fuel pressure will be a lot lower than 36 psi with the engine running at idle due to the inlet vacuum- from memory nearer 27psi. You have to disconnect the vacuum pipe to see 36 psi.

A900ss

Original Poster:

3,269 posts

164 months

Saturday 17th May 2014
quotequote all
Just released the fuel pressure by pressing the Schrader valve in the fuel rail. No fuel come out frown

I guess this is another sign the regulator is dead as it isn't holding pressure.

When I got the old regulator off its not a Bosch one as it has different markings so I guess it has been replaced in the past with an inferior part. It does say 2.5 bar on it though so it's probably just a pattern part.

ChimpOnGas

9,637 posts

191 months

Sunday 18th May 2014
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blitzracing said:
ChimpOnGas said:
The fuel pressure regulator is calibrated to hold rail pressure at a constant 2.5 Bar which is 36psi.

  • Start engine
  • Observe fuel pressure (36 PSI is fine)
Dont forget the fuel pressure will be a lot lower than 36 psi with the engine running at idle due to the inlet vacuum- from memory nearer 27psi. You have to disconnect the vacuum pipe to see 36 psi.
ChimpOnGas said:
Take your pressure reading at the Schrader valve on the rail with the vac pipe removed & blocked off, or better still just leave connected but clamp it.
Quote taken from my original post rolleyes

PreCat Griffith

62 posts

18 months

Friday 29th December 2023
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Is there meant to be a schrader valve on the fuel rail of a precat Griffith? If so, I can't find it.

Belle427

10,219 posts

245 months

Friday 29th December 2023
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I don't think pre cats had them.

PreCat Griffith

62 posts

18 months

Friday 29th December 2023
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Do you know how one should attach a pressure gauge on a precat?

Belle427

10,219 posts

245 months

Friday 29th December 2023
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You would tee into the feed line to the fuel rail but you would need the suitable test equipment for that.
I did read about maybe removing the fuel temp sender for a gauge but cant confirm if the hole is blind or not.

Sardonicus

19,168 posts

233 months

Tuesday 9th January 2024
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Belle427 said:
You would tee into the feed line to the fuel rail but you would need the suitable test equipment for that.
I did read about maybe removing the fuel temp sender for a gauge but cant confirm if the hole is blind or not.
This ^ concerning the T bit thumbup but sadly the fuel temp hole is blind frown