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I have a 96 and the fuel pressure regulator is original. I have seen pictures here of bad and torn diaphragms. I have a longer trip coming up. Why does the rebuild kit cost more than a replacement regulator? I have no gas smell in the vacuum line. Told you it was a dumb one. Thank You, Dan
Never seen a rebuild kit for 92-96, there crimped closed how would you open and close it back up?
thru 91 you could remove it from the rail with a wrench and put in a replacement diaphragm.
Never seen a rebuild kit for 92-96, there crimped closed how would you open and close it back up?
thru 91 you could remove it from the rail with a wrench and put in a replacement diaphragm.
Dan,
I think the more basic issue is, how long will these moving pieces of rubber last. An original FPR has been flexing the diaphragm for 25+ years. At what point does preventive replacement become valid?
I think part of that decision is how you use the car. If you drive around a small town, it's a tow home and repair. Inconvenient but not bad.
On the other hand crossing say west Texas, that same failure can leave you with a very expensive tow bill and a stay in the middle of nowhere until a part can be delivered.
About a year after I bought my 92 I had a pinhole leak form in the upper radiator hose. A gate guard noticed it and told me. I was able to tape it up and drive the 10 miles home. Replaced every piece of old rubber in cooling system.
About to replace all of the rubber brake lines. No current issue but rubber breaks down and with those the result can be tragic.
I know there are some folks on the board who strongly believe you don't change anything that ain't broke. But since I'm writing the check I do what I feel is prudent.
I also need to change the vacuum line from the inside to the cruise control, it's to the point where it leaves black dust on your hand if you touch it.
I also believe there is a potential for degradation of the FPR. Since the FPR is essentially a shut off valve can there be some bypass due to seal wear before the diaphragm fails which is the common reason for replacement.
Dan,
I think the more basic issue is, how long will these moving pieces of rubber last. An original FPR has been flexing the diaphragm for 25+ years. At what point does preventive replacement become valid?
I think part of that decision is how you use the car. If you drive around a small town, it's a tow home and repair. Inconvenient but not bad.
On the other hand crossing say west Texas, that same failure can leave you with a very expensive tow bill and a stay in the middle of nowhere until a part can be delivered.
About a year after I bought my 92 I had a pinhole leak form in the upper radiator hose. A gate guard noticed it and told me. I was able to tape it up and drive the 10 miles home. Replaced every piece of old rubber in cooling system.
About to replace all of the rubber brake lines. No current issue but rubber breaks down and with those the result can be tragic.
I know there are some folks on the board who strongly believe you don't change anything that ain't broke. But since I'm writing the check I do what I feel is prudent.
I also need to change the vacuum line from the inside to the cruise control, it's to the point where it leaves black dust on your hand if you touch it.
I also believe there is a potential for degradation of the FPR. Since the FPR is essentially a shut off valve can there be some bypass due to seal wear before the diaphragm fails which is the common reason for replacement.
Brian
Brian, You make a very good point and I am going to replace it. Thank You, Dan
You make a good point about the Rubber Brake lines that connect the calipers to the Car's chassis. I see original hoses on all kinds of Corvettes at Car shows. I replaced all four on both Corvettes as The confidence of having new parts is only made better with the new tighter pedal feeling that you get with SS braided replacement hoses. I replaced a set on a C3 and took it to a parking lot before and after and the difference was remarkable. When you do find a set be sure that they are D.O.T. Certified for use in the USA. I have seen cheap knock off's without the DOT label
Throwing away working/usable parts is something I am also accused of. I wear it as a badge of Honor and you are right, It is My money after all, so who cares? I would rather throw new parts at the Car to prevent a road side issue or breakdown. On long trips I even carry spare belts so I don't get stuck waiting for the parts.
What I would like to know is why GM used electronic components with a 15 year life expectancy on our Corvette. When you build the Flagship of the Company you might use the best grade of parts, 15 years?
Getting to some of the vacuum lines on the older C4's is not the easiest thing to do. Find a good limber person to help with the brake switch for the cruise control. I use silicone oil to clean and maintain the new hoses, it keeps them flexible and shiny. It also easily doubles the life of the hoses. When you have a C3 like my 1968 427 Corvette you learn to protect your investment in rubber hoses. That darn Corvette has so many hoses to make the windshield wiper cover move and the headlights.
Well, with Belairbrian's well written post I changed my original 1996 fuel pressure regulator. I cut open the old one. While it had not failed (wife and I took an eight hour trip this past weekend) the rubber, when bent, showed a maze of very fine cracks. The big cut you see is from me cutting it open. I am glad I did. Dan
Yeah my experience was the same. I changed the FPR diaphragm on my '89 and when I took out the old reddish-colored OEM rubber one it literally disintegrated to powder at the flex points of the diaphragm. Then I thought of all the debris that thing would have released into the fuel system (and probably did some over the years anyway) and I was glad I changed it for a new one. At the same time I did new injectors as well. It was time.
Yeah my experience was the same. I changed the FPR diaphragm on my '89 and when I took out the old reddish-colored OEM rubber one it literally disintegrated to powder at the flex points of the diaphragm. Then I thought of all the debris that thing would have released into the fuel system (and probably did some over the years anyway) and I was glad I changed it for a new one. At the same time I did new injectors as well. It was time.
It was time is the main thing. My car only has 38,000 miles but this rubber has been sitting in gas for a quarter century. Time is the killer of rubber. The PO may have used ethanol gas also (I don't). Dan
Kinda dumb question
