2001 Suburban 5.3l

[JLeosnow]

Hello all,

I am having a hard start issue(cranking longer than normal) with my 2001 Suburban 1500 5.3L and I am suspecting that it may be the fuel pressure regulator. I think I was told at some point that a quick/easy way to tell if a fuel pressure regulator is bad on this specific vehicle is to un-hook the hose to the regulator and turn the key position to the "on" position and if fuel squirts out of the regulator then it is bad. Is this a correct thought ? I also noticed when the hose was unhooked with the key in the "off" position it was spitting fuel out of it. It was not pouring out, just slightly spraying. Is this another indication of a bad fuel pressure regulator?

 

Thanks,

-John

[sonjaab]

John...............RUN your engine then shut it off.

 

NOW pull off the vac. line! If wet with fuel replace................

[JLeosnow]

I got the new pressure regulator installed this afternoon and it seems to have fixed my hard start issue. I do have a question regarding the regulator though.... inside the new part bag was the regulator assy., a new retainer clip for the regulator, and a new circlip. My question is: what is the new circlip for? I saw no where when I did this that a circlip was to be removed and replaced..... Anyone know?

 

Thanks,

-John

[cammiller]

It sits over the entire assembly as a back up. Glad to hear it worked.

[JLeosnow]

It sits over the entire assembly as a back up. Glad to hear it worked.

 

BlueGorilla,

The regulator I removed(installed at a GM dealer aprox. 80,000 miles ago) did not have a circlip on it.... should I install this one?

 

Thanks for the help,

-John

[cammiller]

There should be no fuel at the vacuum connection of the pressure regulator. Replace the regulator and I expect your issue will be solved.

[JLeosnow]

There should be no fuel at the vacuum connection of the pressure regulator. Replace the regulator and I expect your issue will be solved.

 

Ok, thanks BlueGorilla. I'm assuming given your response that that the pressure regulator could be considered a vacuum diaphragm and if fuel is present @ the hose connection then it must be leaking internally..??

 

Thanks,

-John

[cammiller]

There should be no fuel at the vacuum connection of the pressure regulator. Replace the regulator and I expect your issue will be solved.

 

Ok, thanks BlueGorilla. I'm assuming given your response that that the pressure regulator could be considered a vacuum diaphragm and if fuel is present @ the hose connection then it must be leaking internally..??

 

Thanks,

-John

 

 

 

Exactly

[JLeosnow]

There should be no fuel at the vacuum connection of the pressure regulator. Replace the regulator and I expect your issue will be solved.

 

Ok, thanks BlueGorilla. I'm assuming given your response that that the pressure regulator could be considered a vacuum diaphragm and if fuel is present @ the hose connection then it must be leaking internally..??

 

Thanks,

-John

 

 

 

Exactly

 

 

Thanks all. I've got a new one in hand and am going to install it this evening.

 

-John