bad fuel pressure regulator symptoms?

[bryanhbre]

before I start pulling off exhaust pieces, what symptoms would be shown if the fuel pressure regulator is bad? (I'm having a hard time finding any info on this piece). I have a 93 town car, still trying to figure it out (stumbling on acceleration, seems OK when idling, clears up to 85% of normal after a few minutes, still seems like it lacks some power).

[v8_dave]

Doesnt sounds like it, but you can check it with a rented fuel pressure gauge and/or by seeing how it operates when you unplug the vac line to it. I would check codes tho first!

[Tman70]

Try this;

http://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00193.html

Also, have you actually done a pressure reading???

[cason1]

I would start on this one with new Motorcraft plug wires and Autolite copper plugs.

[87_Crown_Vic]

when if anytime has the fuel filter been changed? clogged fuel filter can cause all kinds of power loss issues. it can make the car stumble and even backfire due to fuel starvation. fuel filter is around $10... start there and than go to the tune-up stuff. best to work cheapest on to the pricier things.

[Sysanalyst]

Go to HarborFreight.com and purchase a $10 fuel pressure gauge - and test fuel pressure while 1) idling with regulator vac hose on (partial pressure) - and - 2) iding with regulator vac hose off (full pressure).

Beyond that; check for vac leaks! These older 4.6L engines are notorious for vac leaks that wreak havoc with driveability. Check all vac lines, check for leaky intake gaskets, and check for a leaky "tee" on the passenger rear of the intake manifold.

Also, if you are on the original ignition wires, toss them and replace with a new set of Motorcraft wires - change the plugs while you are at it.

[wilincoln]

Look at the Mass Air Flow sensor while you are at it. It will hesitate, stumble and backfire too. Unplug it and take it for a ride.
They do have a known failure rate (though low) .

My 93 had one fail at 98,000 miles.


Ron

[bryanhbre]

i've done everything but the pressure test for the fuel system (egr valve, pipe, cleaned channels, new maf sensor, new wires, plugs, new intake manifold gasket for vacuum leak, new vacuum hose T, new IAC, new TPS, new DPFE sensor, all last year, and then just replaced the fuel filter last week). on another thread I had the catalytic converter problem suggested, but before I do that I wanted to try the fuel pressure regulator....will stop in to harbor freight this week and get the tester.