3FE, No Fuel Return to Tank

[pappy]

I'm working on getting my 3FE stroker running. Today I wanted to purge the fuel system of air and make sure the ECU was controlling the fuel pump. Well, I never got fuel to return from the regulator. The pump, sitting in a Blitz can, would pressure up, then it seemed unable to push any harder. When I cracked the banjo bolt at the cold start injector there was fuel. When I cracked the banjo bolt on the regulator there was nothing. When I loosened the two bolts holding the regulator to the rail air hissed out, followed by fuel.

I don't have the SST to check the system for over pressure, but I'm guessing the regulator is no good. I even tried a second boneyard regulator and it did the same thing. According to the parts shaman the 3FE regulators do seem to have issues.

Is the regulator the problem, or am I missing something?

 

[3_puppies]

maybe, not getting enough preasure from the pump to open???
I have no idea

 

[archtimb]

I suppose it could be the regulator, but I would check your lines first. Were they sitting open for a while?

Is there a point you can open a return line to check if fuel will return from the rail? There is on a FJ62, but I do not know your setup.

We have some kind of insect around here that goes into small lines (fuel, vacuum) as far as the first bend and builds a mud nest. I have had two instances where a line is left open for some time and even 120PSI air would not clear it. If you can get a wire to the obstruction, just dried mud comes out. If I ever find out what it is I will go on a genocide mission. Till then, always cap anything that's open.

Mitch

 

[pappy]

I suppose it could be the regulator, but I would check your lines first. Were they sitting open for a while?

Currently, the only hard line is the line from the regulator to the side of the block. I have a new rubber line from there to a Blitz can. I can blow air through this hard line.

Is there a point you can open a return line to check if fuel will return from the rail? There is on a FJ62, but I do not know your setup.

Yes, I opened the banjo bolt on top of the regulator where the fuel bleeds off. There is no fuel coming out the regulator. Loosening the two bolts holding down the regulator allowed air to excape, then fuel, under what I would consider very high pressure. It appears the regulator is not opening to allow fuel to pass.

I did talk with CDan and he indicated he sells a fair number of 3FE regulators. He didn't know why they were being replaced. I'll pick one up from him Monday. After looking at it some more I'm pretty sure this is the issue.

 

[PabloCruise]

Pappy,

What ended up being the issue here?

 

[fj62Dave]

Currently, the only hard line is the line from the regulator to the side of the block. I have a new rubber line from there to a Blitz can. I can blow air through this hard line.



Yes, I opened the banjo bolt on top of the regulator where the fuel bleeds off. There is no fuel coming out the regulator. Loosening the two bolts holding down the regulator allowed air to excape, then fuel, under what I would consider very high pressure. It appears the regulator is not opening to allow fuel to pass.

I did talk with CDan and he indicated he sells a fair number of 3FE regulators. He didn't know why they were being replaced. I'll pick one up from him Monday. After looking at it some more I'm pretty sure this is the issue.

I’m having the same issue, this you get this resolved?

 

[pappy]

I’m having the same issue, this you get this resolved?

Yes, but that was years ago. I'm going to guess the new regulator fixed the problem. Engine runs great.

 

[fj62Dave]

Yes, but that was years ago. I'm going to guess the new regulator fixed the problem. Engine runs great.

Ran great after the fpr replacement?

 

[pappy]

Ran great after the fpr replacement?

Yes.

 

[fj62Dave]

I’m having the same issue, this you get this resolved?

Did you ever get this resolved?