Opened Up My Aeromotive AFPR Today!

[ypnas777]

I opened up my Aeromotive AFPR today and found something interesting. The seat where the ball sits seems to be defective. Would this defect cause the fuel pressure to bleed down immediately after shutting off the car and/or present problems in fuel delivery under boost?

Thanks

 

[T is for TURBO]

Showus a picture of the whole thing so we know what we are looking at. Right now, all I see is a red hole.

Just to clearify; when you shut your car off, it goes from full operating pressure to zero pressure as soon as the pump stops? There is no gradual leak down over a few seconds/minutes?

 

[ypnas777]

Showus a picture of the whole thing so we know what we are looking at. Right now, all I see is a red hole.

Just to clearify; when you shut your car off, it goes from full operating pressure to zero pressure as soon as the pump stops? There is no gradual leak down over a few seconds/minutes?

It's the seat where the ball goes. Yes, the pressure drops to zero immediately upon shutting the car off.

 

[TurboAnything]

A steel ball repeatetly striking the aluminium seat area will eventually wear it down. I have seen regulators start bouncing at high pressure that can be a issue. But you would have to be opening the relief valve on a walbro 255 that's about 65-70 psi that I have seen.

 

[ypnas777]

A steel ball repeatetly striking the aluminium seat area will eventually wear it down. I have seen regulators start bouncing at high pressure that can be a issue. But you would have to be opening the relief valve on a walbro 255 that's about 65-70 psi that I have seen.

Well I am running 30+ psi so would you recommend replacing the afpr?

 

[T is for TURBO]

I would try to contact Aeromotive and see if they will sell you a replacement housing. I would also contact them to see if they think that this could be causeing your rapid fuel pressure bleed off.

I also wonder if it couldn't be the pump? Isn't there a check valve in the fuel pump to prevent fuel from bleeding backwards?

 

[ypnas777]

I would try to contact Aeromotive and see if they will sell you a replacement housing. I would also contact them to see if they think that this could be causeing your rapid fuel pressure bleed off.

I also wonder if it couldn't be the pump? Isn't there a check valve in the fuel pump to prevent fuel from bleeding backwards?

I'm not sure, it's a Walbro 255. A buddy of mine has the same fuel pump and a fuel lab afpr and his pressure does not bleed down immediately like mine does.

 

[T is for TURBO]

I currently have your exact same setup: Aeromotive AFPR and a wally 255. Mine leakes down pretty quick, but not instantly. I couldn't give to the exact amount of time, as I have never really paid much attention. But I can tell you that it holds pressure after the pump is turned off.

 

[ypnas777]

I currently have your exact same setup: Aeromotive AFPR and a wally 255. Mine leakes down pretty quick, but not instantly. I couldn't give to the exact amount of time, as I have never really paid much attention. But I can tell you that it holds pressure after the pump is turned off.

Which model Aeromotive do you have?

 

[TSiAWD666]

So oddly I too have been looking into this in the last few days. My aeromotive too drops pressure immediately after shut off. I'm not yet ready to tune my engine so I hadn't yet worried about it but it did concern me. I found this thread on evolutionm.net describing one fellow's investigation, and his possible "solution" (if it's really a problem) to the issue where he took that 90 degree edge and sloped it to create a better seat for the ball:

Warning - All Those Who Use An Aeromotive FP Regulator - evolutionm.net

I took my aeromotive apart and sure enough I too have the 90-degree angle around the drain hole. I plan on trying that fellow's fix to see how it works, and if it doesn't I'll just buy a different brand afpr.

 

[hhuricane]

This is from the install instructions that come with the Aeromotive regulators.

NOTE: Testing the enclosed regulator by applying air pressure or vacuum to the vacuum port with a
hand-held pump will yield poor results, due to the slight air leakage through the adjustment screw
threads. This minute leakage, which is typical of all adjustable fuel pressure regulators, does not, in any
way, affect the performance of the regulator.
The enclosed fuel pressure regulator may not hold significant fuel pressure after the fuel pump
stops running.

 

[T is for TURBO]

I believe it is; 13109 - A1000

I've had it since 2008, but it only has about 500 miles on it, since the car is constantly under the knife, but so far it seems to be consistant.

 

[TSiAWD666]

I believe it is; 13109 - A1000

I've had it since 2008, but it only has about 500 miles on it, since the car is constantly under the knife, but so far it seems to be consistant.

From the looks of your model I don't believe your seat is the same as the one in question. There are pictures in the evolutionm.net of an afpr like your particular design and I don't believe it has the issues cited in this thread. While it's great that yours has no issue, I don't think that's relevant to the issue at hand. Still good to know that it's not necessarily all Aeromotive brand FPR's.

 

[T is for TURBO]

What one are we looking at? 13101 - A1000?

 

[Dsmkauai]

I would look at your fuel pump and inspect the oring and top hat for damage. If either are bad it will cause pressure to leak out of pump sometimes fast sometimes slow.

 

[91tizzy]

Fuel pump check valve should hold the fuel in the line...that would be where I would look

 

[ypnas777]

So the ball seat defect wouldn't contribute to the pressure bleeding down instantly? I would think it would...

 

[TSiAWD666]

So the ball seat defect wouldn't contribute to the pressure bleeding down instantly? I would think it would...

If you figure out a way to nicely cut that seat let me know! I'll do the same. I probably won't look into it for a few weeks.

 

[ypnas777]

If you figure out a way to nicely cut that seat let me know! I'll do the same. I probably won't look into it for a few weeks.

Honestly, I don't see myself messing around with it much. I'll most likely just buy a new one, probably a fuelab unit.

 

[TSiAWD666]

Ah, well if you do that post the results too

 

[ypnas777]

Well, I ended up changing this POS out for an Aeromotive A1000 fpr and low and behold, fuel pressure no longer bleeds down to zero when I shut the car off!

 

[romeen]

So after shutdown there is no drop in fuel pressure at all? Even after a day or more?

 

[ypnas777]

So after shutdown there is no drop in fuel pressure at all? Even after a day or more?

It bleeds down slowly like it should. I haven't checked exactly how long it lasts for but definitely a while. The car starts a lot faster after sitting overnight. Overall, I'm very happy with the new regulator.

 

[romeen]

Glad this one's working better. I still wish there was (is) an adjustable regulator that holds pressure like the stock one.