Notices
4.6L V8 Technical Discussions Any questions about engine, transmission, or gearing can be asked here!

Fuel Pressure fluctuations

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-01-2011, 01:06 PM
  #1  
aclass
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
 
aclass's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Blue Ridge Mtns, VA
Posts: 524
Default Fuel Pressure fluctuations

I havent made an attempt on any serious troubleshooting yet since the issue has been very intermittent but I'd like to get a feel for any suggestions.
The problem became noticeable all of the sudden a couple of weeks ago and it only happens as you go through the gears at normal acceleration but it falls flat on its face, as if you cut the ignition off for a split second, but it comes back as quickly as it happens. The problem doesnt happen during cruising speeds nor does it happen all the time during every acceleration. If you get after it hard, it doesnt happen.
The only common denominator that I've found so far when it happens is the fuel pressure on my AeroForce gauge. It typically runs a steady 40 but during these "black outs" it spikes and then plummets as you operate the gas pedal.

I'm planning to check the connections at the FPDM's but if nothing is obvious, I may just have to start replacing parts....
Your valued and experienced suggestions are welcomed.
aclass is offline  
Old 12-03-2011, 10:52 AM
  #2  
hammeron
6th Gear Member
 
hammeron's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Nicely done
Posts: 11,881
Default

i don't know.... this is a tough one.

but since you say the pressure spikes then plummets, i''m leaning
toward the Fuel Rail Pressure Temperature sensor, or an issue with
the vacuum line between it and the back of the manifold.

good luck and let us know what it turns out to be.
hammeron is offline  
Old 12-03-2011, 12:35 PM
  #3  
aclass
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
 
aclass's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Blue Ridge Mtns, VA
Posts: 524
Default

Originally Posted by hammeron
i don't know.... this is a tough one.

but since you say the pressure spikes then plummets, i''m leaning
toward the Fuel Rail Pressure Temperature sensor, or an issue with
the vacuum line between it and the back of the manifold.

good luck and let us know what it turns out to be.
That was my first conjecture and probably the easiest to replace but I'm also leaning toward the TPS. I was noticing the other morning when the car was acting up that as soon as you let off the pedal to change gears, the fuel pressure would spike to ~75psi and then as soon as you picked the throttle back up it would plummet to <20 and then the split second sputter.

If I understand the sequence of operation here, the FPDM is being told to run the fuel pump based on the PCM telling it too. The PCM takes a bunch of sensors in to account and the pressure/temp sensor as well as the TPS are two of those.
Intermittent issues are a bear to fix.
aclass is offline  
Old 12-03-2011, 01:58 PM
  #4  
Smoke2008
 
Smoke2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 14
Default

Originally Posted by aclass
I havent made an attempt on any serious troubleshooting yet since the issue has been very intermittent but I'd like to get a feel for any suggestions.
The problem became noticeable all of the sudden a couple of weeks ago and it only happens as you go through the gears at normal acceleration but it falls flat on its face, as if you cut the ignition off for a split second, but it comes back as quickly as it happens. The problem doesnt happen during cruising speeds nor does it happen all the time during every acceleration. If you get after it hard, it doesnt happen.
The only common denominator that I've found so far when it happens is the fuel pressure on my AeroForce gauge. It typically runs a steady 40 but during these "black outs" it spikes and then plummets as you operate the gas pedal.

I'm planning to check the connections at the FPDM's but if nothing is obvious, I may just have to start replacing parts....
Your valued and experienced suggestions are welcomed.
I have starting issues with my 2008 Buillett Mustang.....tried starting it 16 times before it would start.....have you had problems starting your Mustang..I just replaced the fuel pump asm yesterday......I'am guessing ...it acted like it was not getting fuel when we tried to start it....
Smoke2008 is offline  
Old 12-03-2011, 02:43 PM
  #5  
aclass
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
 
aclass's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Blue Ridge Mtns, VA
Posts: 524
Default

Originally Posted by Smoke2008
I have starting issues with my 2008 Buillett Mustang.....tried starting it 16 times before it would start.....have you had problems starting your Mustang..I just replaced the fuel pump asm yesterday......I'am guessing ...it acted like it was not getting fuel when we tried to start it....
No starting problems Smoke
aclass is offline  
Old 12-03-2011, 04:37 PM
  #6  
Simon1
5th Gear Member
 
Simon1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Redding, CA
Posts: 4,552
Default

Have you done any work to your car at all?

What are the mods?

What happens when you let off the gas and then floor it? Does it fall on it's face then? I would lean towards a vacuum leak or a dirty throttle body if you have not done anything to the car and you have a stock tune.
Simon1 is offline  
Old 12-03-2011, 06:44 PM
  #7  
aclass
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
 
aclass's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Blue Ridge Mtns, VA
Posts: 524
Default

Originally Posted by Simon1
Have you done any work to your car at all?

What are the mods?

What happens when you let off the gas and then floor it? Does it fall on it's face then? I would lean towards a vacuum leak or a dirty throttle body if you have not done anything to the car and you have a stock tune.
Simon, Whipple blower with Whipple tune.
as of tonight, it has officially gotten worse. I was going to do a few runs as you were suggesting and at WOT the fuel pressure was no higher than 15 and the car was starving for power. I did that 2 tiimes and figure I'm pushing my luck.
It sure is acting like the 2nd FPDM or 2nd fuel pump is very inconsistent and sometime isnt even running.
I'm planning to check some wiring and look for some obvious things when it's daylight tomorrow. Any suggestions are appreciated.
aclass is offline  
Old 12-04-2011, 07:37 PM
  #8  
aclass
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
 
aclass's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Blue Ridge Mtns, VA
Posts: 524
Default

I looked around today for anything obvious but found nothing. Spent alot of time looking around the wiring/connectors/relay on the 2 FPDM's in the trunk and spent some time looking over the vacuum system and anything out of the ordinary on the pressure/temp sensor. Verified the 30amp fuse on the 2nd pump was okay and fondled the throttle body sensor connections. As I said, nothing at all obvious.

Before taking the car out for a test, dug out the Whipple tuner and downloaded the tune for the first time since installing the blower.
Took the car out for a few WOT throttle runs and it was a tire blistering beast. Like I said, Intermittent issues are very difficult.
Stay tuned.....
aclass is offline  
Old 12-05-2011, 05:52 PM
  #9  
aclass
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
 
aclass's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Blue Ridge Mtns, VA
Posts: 524
Default

Spoke too soon! on the way to work this morning there were seveal spits and sputters. One the way home, nothing! Stopped by the dealer and picked up a Fuel Pressure sensor, about the size of a chicken egg, 100 friggin dollars!!

stay tuned....
aclass is offline  
Old 12-05-2011, 10:20 PM
  #10  
tx_zstang
5th Gear Member
 
tx_zstang's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 2,388
Default

Why not just datalog fuel system values to a laptop?
tx_zstang is offline  


Quick Reply: Fuel Pressure fluctuations



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:19 AM.