I bought at sears a new fuel pressure tester kit (actron $39.00)
I am using it to troubleshoot my 1986 2.9 4x4 manual Ranger.
Instructions say to install brass ford adapter fitting & Hose fitting finger tight on to the schrader valve.
I did so, positioned it so I could see gauge through the windshield, & when I started the truck my gauge needle didn't move off of zero.
Great! I thought... faulty new tool... or what could I be doing wrong?
Maybe overtightened? Perhaps the rubber o-rings got too mushed & restricted the valve or fuel flow.
So I reattached the fittings more loosely. Now when I started the truck, the needle moved up to say 20psi. I pressed the black purge button & only a little gas came out.
I once again disconnected & reconnected the fitting & hose.
This time the needle jumped up to 42 psi at ignition key to run, & when I started the truck pressure came down to 34 psi at idle.
Question #1 Was all that not able to get it to work just having to prime the black hose with gas? Nothing in the instructions said anything about that.
Here's how the truck behaved after this point: I turn ign. key to run, the fuel pressure flies up to 44psi. pump quits & pressure relaxes to 42psi & holds there steady (as long as a minute)
I start the truck & pressure drops down to 34psi. It holds pretty steady as it idles.
If I rev the motor, the pressure jumps up to 42, back to 32 then 34 at idle.
When I shut the motor off, the pressure goes back to 40psi.
Question #2 Are my readings within spec? & are the fuel pump & pressure regulator happy? (I've been doing a lot of reading on this site the last couple of days & following links & I think my readings seem ok?)
Question #3 Did I do something wrong at first with the new tool? Or do you always have to prime the hose before you take a reading.
As always, Thanks!
I am using it to troubleshoot my 1986 2.9 4x4 manual Ranger.
Instructions say to install brass ford adapter fitting & Hose fitting finger tight on to the schrader valve.
I did so, positioned it so I could see gauge through the windshield, & when I started the truck my gauge needle didn't move off of zero.
Great! I thought... faulty new tool... or what could I be doing wrong?
Maybe overtightened? Perhaps the rubber o-rings got too mushed & restricted the valve or fuel flow.
So I reattached the fittings more loosely. Now when I started the truck, the needle moved up to say 20psi. I pressed the black purge button & only a little gas came out.
I once again disconnected & reconnected the fitting & hose.
This time the needle jumped up to 42 psi at ignition key to run, & when I started the truck pressure came down to 34 psi at idle.
Question #1 Was all that not able to get it to work just having to prime the black hose with gas? Nothing in the instructions said anything about that.
Here's how the truck behaved after this point: I turn ign. key to run, the fuel pressure flies up to 44psi. pump quits & pressure relaxes to 42psi & holds there steady (as long as a minute)
I start the truck & pressure drops down to 34psi. It holds pretty steady as it idles.
If I rev the motor, the pressure jumps up to 42, back to 32 then 34 at idle.
When I shut the motor off, the pressure goes back to 40psi.
Question #2 Are my readings within spec? & are the fuel pump & pressure regulator happy? (I've been doing a lot of reading on this site the last couple of days & following links & I think my readings seem ok?)
Question #3 Did I do something wrong at first with the new tool? Or do you always have to prime the hose before you take a reading.
As always, Thanks!