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View Full Version : SR20DET FUEL PROBLEM...Seeking Advice


bradyd15
08-17-2011, 09:02 AM
Hey guys. Please read entire thread before making comments.

First off let me say that i have searched for this problem on Zilvia and Google, and most all were inconclusive. I would like some educated suggestions on this problem. Thanks in advance ...

The motor is mainly a stock s13 sr20det: stock maf/w K&N filter, z32 fuel filter,Walbro fuel pump, greddy pulleys, Apexi Neo{came with car}, front mount intercooler, etc.

The Problem: Ever since i have had this car{about 1 year}, the gas gauge hasnt worked correctly. Every now and then on a quick clutch stop, the car would die. So i say to myself, the gas gauge is probably broke, no big deal, and the fuel pump could be going out. I replaced the cluster with a digital, and the gas gauge worked fine for a few days, so i left the fuel pump alone for now.

So, a few days later, i start the car as normal, look at my fuel gauge,{it is normal}, and take off for work. On the way to work, when i speed up {right before boost kicks in}the gauge would drop all the way down to empty, and the car felt like it had no power. So when i eased off the gas, the gas gauge would slowly go back up to normal. This continued the rest of the day.

What i have done: When i got home, i checked the fuel pump to see if its priming when i turn the key in the ignition. It was. So then i pulled the fuel pump, checked for loose wires, grounds, checked floater etc, o-ring and everything checked out. I replaced the hoses going from the gas tank to a small reservoir,{dont know the technical name for it},to see if they were clogged. I plan on today taking the hose off going to the fpr to see if its clogged or not. The fuel filter is about 6 months old, so i ruled that out. The maf was cleaned about 3 months ago as well. I also checked the car voltage,and im pulling enough volts from the battery/alternator. The car is throwing no codes, except 55, which is normal.

My questions: I have done some research, and i was reading about the stock fuel pressure regulator going bad with walbros sometimes. But would a bad fpr cause the gas gauge to act weird under load? Would a bad fuel pump{even though i dont think thats the problem} cause the gas gauge to act weird under load? Would that small reservoir i mentioned earlier cause this issue as well? If the fpr is out, will a KA one work on Sr? Will KA fuel pump temporarily work on SR until new walbro is ordered if that is the problem?

Conclusion: What issue, besides the gas gauge being broke, would cause this problem? I have read many threads on this, most were inconclusive. I understand this could be a simple find, or a complicated one. I am asking for some people that have experienced this before, and have some advice. I dont mind replacing everything, but i want to pinpoint this issue. Thank you for your time.

bradyd15
08-17-2011, 02:28 PM
Nobody have any insight?

KiLLeR2001
08-17-2011, 04:07 PM
Did you check the mechanism that actually sends the signal to the gas gauge? It's very fragile and you need to make sure it touches every "notch" along the movement spectrum of the floater.

bradyd15
08-17-2011, 05:30 PM
Yeah i did inspect that, and even gave it a light brushing, because there was residue on it. But that still wouldnt explain the problem with hitting the gas though. When i hit the gas the gauge drops, and it bogs up.

Today i checked my fpr lines, and they were clear. I started the car with the fpr unplugged, and gas was coming out of it. Not strong pressure, but it was coming out.

ultimateirving
08-17-2011, 06:50 PM
Yeah i did inspect that, and even gave it a light brushing, because there was residue on it. But that still wouldnt explain the problem with hitting the gas though. When i hit the gas the gauge drops, and it bogs up.

Today i checked my fpr lines, and they were clear. I started the car with the fpr unplugged, and gas was coming out of it. Not strong pressure, but it was coming out.
wait gas was coming out of the vacuum line? this means u need a new one for sure..

bradyd15
08-17-2011, 07:08 PM
I unplugged the line on the fpr which went to the gas tank when the car was runnnig and gas was coming out of the fpr. Is it no supposed too? I wasnt for sure if it was or not just idleing. It was sputtering out. It should have some gas coming out i would think because it is connected to the fuel rail. The other line on the fpr goed to the "t" which is connected to the throttle body as well.

KiLLeR2001
08-17-2011, 08:50 PM
I would check the wiring to your gauge cluster (as well as the back of the gauge cluster too), make sure nothing looks weird and make sure the electrical ribbons are all making contact like they should. If everything checks out I would buy a known working gauge cluster, swap it out and see if it still does it.

ultimateirving
08-18-2011, 02:24 PM
I unplugged the line on the fpr which went to the gas tank when the car was runnnig and gas was coming out of the fpr. Is it no supposed too? I wasnt for sure if it was or not just idleing. It was sputtering out. It should have some gas coming out i would think because it is connected to the fuel rail. The other line on the fpr goed to the "t" which is connected to the throttle body as well.

thats normal for gas to come out there, i thought u meant out of the vacuum line.

bradyd15
08-18-2011, 05:09 PM
Update: I was sitting at a light today, and i heard the fuel pump "buzzing, or humming". Its a walbro, and ive had it for almost 2 years. Im assuming its going out. Im gonna order one and replace it i guess. You guys ever had a fuel pump go out? Would a KA pump temporarily work? This car is my daily for now. I could borrow a car if i have to though, until i get the walbro.

bradyd15
08-22-2011, 12:32 PM
^^^Anyone know about the walbro fuel pump buzzing/humming issue? Is it going bad?

KiLLeR2001
08-22-2011, 01:22 PM
Walbro's have been known to be noisy. But its more of a high pitched sound versus a buzzing sound. If it sounds weird to you I would check the voltage / grounds etc.

edit: If you have a habit of running your pump down to the "E" empty mark, you've probably killed it over time. The general rule of thumb is to not let your fuel go below 1/4th tank, else the pump will start to overheat and eventually die.

bradyd15
08-22-2011, 01:42 PM
Yeah its never once made a sound since ive had it. Hell, it could be the sending unit. Ill check the voltage later today. Correct me if im wrong, the fuel pump is supposed to be at 12v, in the acc position right? I think i read that somewhere earlier.

KiLLeR2001
08-22-2011, 03:39 PM
I would assume so. Check the FSM, I'm sure it tells you there. However, the fuel pump doesn't prime until you are on ignition on.

bradyd15
08-29-2011, 05:21 PM
Edit: I replaced the fuel pump and the car runs like new. Thanks everyone for the help!!!