Ten Signs That Your Fuel Pressure Regulator Is Not Working (and How to Diagnose It)

An engine problem can be caused by a faulty fuel pressure regulator. But luckily, it’s not an advanced part to replace, you can often do it yourself, and it’s usually pretty cheap.

Failing fuel regulators can cause the mixture of air and fuel to be disrupted, resulting in the engine not producing enough power.

This article will show you how to fix a fuel rail pressure regulator that is failing. Let’s begin by taking a quick look at the signs you should look for.

10 Signs Your Fuel Pressure Regulator Is Not Working

A bad fuel pressure regulator can be accompanied by a dashboard check light and other engine performance problems.

One of the main signs that a fuel pressure regulator has failed or is failing is:

This may leave you with questions. Here's a list that explains the symptoms and causes of bad fuel pressure regulator.

Engine Failures

You will see the most obvious sign that your fuel pressure regulator has failed is the misfiring engine when you are at idle and during acceleration.

It is easy to recognize misfires. It could be that your engine is not firing as it should.

There are many other factors that can cause misfires, so don't replace the fuel regulator immediately you spot them.

Loss in Acceleration

The fuel regulator regulates the fuel pressure, just like it sounds. A low fuel pressure can cause your engine to run in a mixture that is too rich or lean.

An overly lean fuel-fuel mix or one that is too rich will result in a decrease in acceleration. The fuel pressure regulator may also be to blame if you notice your car feeling slower than normal.

Make sure your engine light is on

Almost all modern cars use a full-time monitoring system to monitor the car engine’s car sensors constantly. A failure of one sensor will result in an error code being stored in the memory. If this occurs repeatedly, the check engine lamp is illuminated.

The fuel pressure sensor controls fuel pressure within the fuel rail on most car models. If the fuel regulator is faulty and the pressure gets too high or too low – the check engine light will appear on your dashboard.

Fuel Leakage

A fuel leakage can also be a sign of a failing fuel pressure regulator. It causes poor performance and can lead to unpleasant odours. A fuel leak occurs when the fuel regulator’s diaphragm or external seal is damaged and fails.

Also, fuel leakage can lead to car fires. It should be addressed immediately.

Exhaust Pipe Black Smoke

A faulty fuel pressure regulator can cause black smoke.

Black smoke coming out of the car’s exhaust pipe may have various other causes, but if you see black or gray colored smoke and also notice other symptoms mentioned in this article, the problem is most likely with the fuel regulator.

The Spark Plug is Covered in Black Debris

A faulty fuel pressure regulator can cause your engine to run too rich and your combustion chamber could be clogged with soot.

You can check the spark plug at its end to make sure there hasn't been any soot. You will have to replace the spark plug and fuel pressure regulator if you find black soot on your spark plug.

Engine backfires

An incorrect fuel pressure regulator can lead to excess fuel flowing through the lines. This will make the engine unable to consume all of the fuel, which will result in the exhaust overflowing.

When the fuel then gets ignited in the exhaust system because of the heat – you can hear it as loud bangs from your exhaust pipe.

It is very dangerous, and could cause your car and exhaust pipes to burst and catch fire.

Gasoline-filled Vacuum Hose

Defective fuel pressure regulator diaphragms can lead to fuel pressure going into vacuum system. The vacuum hose will be filled with gasoline.

This can be checked by disconnecting the fuel regulator vacuum hose and checking if gasoline is present in the line. If so, you have a defective fuel pressure regulator.

From the Dipstick, Gasoline smell

Bad fuel pressure regulators can lead to your engine oil being contaminated with fuel.

You can check by lifting the engine oil dipstick. If you smell gasoline, your fuel pressure regulator may be in trouble.

You can drop in miles

Faulty fuel pressure can not only cause a rich mixture – it can also cause a lean air-fuel mixture. Although you may think that a decrease in fuel mileage is beneficial, over time it can cause severe damage to your car's engine.

You may also notice an acceleration drop when your vehicle is mixed with a lean fuel mixture. However, if the effect is slight, it will not cause any noticeable changes to your driving experience.

Fuel Pressure Regulator Locator

Most cars have the fuel regulator located near the intake manifold.

Some cars have the fuel pressure regulator located near the fuel pumps. It can be difficult to access and replace.

Diagnose a Fuel Pressure Regulator

You can use a fuel pressure gage to inspect the fuel regulator for any leaks. The fuel pressure gauge checks if the regulator adjusts line pressure according to engine vacuum changes.

After the engine has started, disconnect the regulator's vacuum hose. When the hose is disconnected, the fuel system’s pressure should increase by 8 to 10 psi. The pressure regulator must be repaired if there's no improvement. More information is available here. Testing a fuel pressure regulator.

It is important to ensure the pressure remains within manufacturer specifications. These information can be found in the repair manual of your vehicle.

Newer vehicles can have the fuel pressure regulator checked easily with an OBD2 reader in any garage, at home, or even on-site. But it is still a good idea for manual inspection. Check out our OBD2 scanner overview to find the best home OBD2 scanner.

You can order a fuel pressure tester online if you don't have one at home. Fuel pressure tester

.

We have more details about the cost of replacing your fuel pressure regulator, if it has been diagnosed as defective.

FAQ