15 replies to this topic

[Alberto]

Some questions on maintenance for adjustable fuel pressure regulators.  I have the Aeromotive Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator from Advanced for context.

 

Do the adjustable fuel pressure regulators require any periodic maintenance or rebuilding? 

How frequently should that be done?

What are the symptoms of the FPR requiring maintenance / rebuild?

How can I test that my current 9 year old FPR is working properly?

 

Thanks.

[FTodaro]

I do not have the answer for you as i have never rebuilt one just replaced one and that was about 8 years ago. So mine is about the same age as yours. I would be more concerned with the Fuel pressure gauge failing. the FPR  It has a rubber diaphragm and a spring. If that fails i am not sure if they make replacement parts for it, but I suspect its usable life is quite long.

[Steve Scheifler]

I do not have the answer for you as i have never rebuilt one just replaced one and that was about 8 years ago. So mine is about the same age as yours. I would be more concerned with the Fuel pressure gauge failing. the FPR It has a rubber diaphragm and a spring. If that fails i am not sure if they make replacement parts for it, but I suspect its usable life is quite long.

Not sure about that model but others do have replacement diaphragms available. I think theirs even work in the Chinese knock-offs which have been known to fail.

[ChrisA]

They can be rebuilt. You can order replacement Aeromotive diaphragms from Summit Racing. You should be able to find the correct part# on the Aeromotive website. If the diaphragm gets a hole in it, the FPR will leak. If you have gotten a counterfeit unit, there is possibility of internal corrosion of the FPR due to ethanol and poorly anodized aluminum. This could cause the diaphragm to stick and not adjust smoothly or properly maintain set pressure. Always, a good idea to have a spare diaphragm on hand, they aren't expensive.

[Jim Drago]

other than diaphragm going bad, not much else in there to fail. Replacement diaphragms are about $25-30

[Alberto]

Thanks fellas.  I'll try and find the model number so I can order the replacement parts just in case I need them.

[Ron Alan]

Some questions on maintenance for adjustable fuel pressure regulators.  I have the Aeromotive Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator from Advanced for context.

 

Do the adjustable fuel pressure regulators require any periodic maintenance or rebuilding? 

How frequently should that be done?

What are the symptoms of the FPR requiring maintenance / rebuild?

How can I test that my current 9 year old FPR is working properly?

 

Thanks.

Did you not listen last weekend when you asked me about this?    Basically what Jim said...

 

These were my symptoms when the diaphragm failed...car would start and run fine...even rev. The minute you tried to drive under load it stumbled...would not go. Had 15 lbs of FP at the Schrader valve at pump at idle. Could not increase pressure. Purchased replacement rubber diaphragm at Summit I believe. Now have a spare in the trailer!

[Dave D.]

How old were some of these regulators when they failed?

[Alberto]

Did you not listen last weekend when you asked me about this?     Basically what Jim said...

 

These were my symptoms when the diaphragm failed...car would start and run fine...even rev. The minute you tried to drive under load it stumbled...would not go. Had 15 lbs of FP at the Schrader valve at pump at idle. Could not increase pressure. Purchased replacement rubber diaphragm at Summit I believe. Now have a spare in the trailer!

 

I did.  But you are a sample size of one. 

You shared a failure mode.  I was curious if there were any symptoms of impending failure or general wear.  Guess that wasn't obvious in my initial post.

[Bench Racer]

As some have said the diaphragm failed. The diaphragm gets hard. Buy a diaphragm and compare old to new and I'll bet your 8-9 year old will be harder than the new one. CHANGE it!!!

[Ron Alan]

I did.  But you are a sample size of one. 

You shared a failure mode.  I was curious if there were any symptoms of impending failure or general wear.  Guess that wasn't obvious in my initial post.

There is a rubber diaphragm...thats it

But frankly I too had no idea what was involved...until I took it apart! If you are really really slow this will take 5 minutes...LOL

[FTodaro]

I have the same FPR so if you locate the replacement, post the part number and the source so we can follow up if need be.

[Alberto]

I have the same FPR so if you locate the replacement, post the part number and the source so we can follow up if need be.

 

Finally got around to this.

 

Here is the replacement part number 13003:

 

 

https://aeromotivein...-service-kit-3/

 

The Aeromotive model that Advanced uses for the 1.6 is 13129.  Thank you Patti for helping with the part number.  I called Aeromotive and they pointed me to the correct rebuild kit using that info.

https://www.advanced...ssure-regulator

 

It was indeed easy but you can make a mess of disassembly and ruin the aluminum base if you don't realize that you need to back off the adjuster to relieve spring pressure.  Almost did that but managed to save it.  The allen head bolts were finger tight on mine.  I suspect there was a small leak because of that.  Last time I got tuned, the tuner complained that cranking the spring pressure all the way did not make a difference in fuel pressure so I suspect this was why.

 

Pics of the innards:

 

Pay attention to the witness marks on the top most dished part pictured above.  The threaded bolt is intended to sit into the indentation and then compress the spring.

 

It assembles in this order:

 

Hope that helps someone.  Besides the bolts being loose, the diaphragm looked to be in working condition.  Just a bit shriveled from being exposed to fuel for 10 years.  Need to add checking those bolts to my nut-n-bolt check list.

[Steve Scheifler]

Nice job!

[FTodaro]

Due diligence. Thanks for the follow up. I hate when people post up something and never follow up. You get an "A"

[Alberto]

One last follow up, now that the FPR is 'rebuilt' and properly tightened down, my fuel pressure is now very adjustable again.  Had to loosen the spring almost all the way to get it back closer to stock fuel pressure ~45.  Leaving it there until I get tuned.  The gauge was pegged over 60 psi when I first started the car after this.    

 

It was definitely leaking some fuel due to the loose bolts.  Given that it is hard mounted to the chassis, I suspect 10 years of vibrations loosened them.  Should probably add some rubber or isolators to dampen any vibrations.