Re: Re: RE: Fuel pressure release valve (Bernd)

From: Jon Steiger (jon@dakota-truck.net)
Date: Sat Sep 30 2000 - 19:25:49 EDT


At 04:02 PM 9/29/00 -1000, you wrote:
>Bernd,
>I also checked and there is no valve on the fuel rail of my '97 5.2L
>(Auto)

   Yep, some trucks just don't have 'em. Doesn't make much sense, but its
true. :-)

>When replacing the fuel injectors, would there be a lot of pressure if
>you simply disconnect the fuel line that connects to the rail?

   There could be. However, there is an alternate method for relieving
fuel pressure without a test port. Basically, you want to remove your gas
filler cap (push in the little flap to be sure there is no pressure
remaining in the tank), remove the fuel pump fuse from the PDC under the
hood, remove the coil wire, then crank over the engine. That should
relieve most of the pressure. You can now disconnect the negative battery
cable like you normally would before working on the engine. If you want to
go to the next level, you should unplug one of the injectors and put
alligator clips on the pins. Hook one of the pins to the negative pole of
your battery, then *briefly* touch the other lead to the positive
pole. This will engage the injector and cause it to spit out fuel and
relieve most of the pressure that's still in the system. (Only run the
injector for about a half second or a second at a time though, prolonged
use like this could damage it.)

    To disconnect the fuel supply line, you will probably need a special
tool, which may or may not be worth it. If you do all the above steps,
there shouldn't be much pressure left and I should think you'd just be able
to remove the injectors. (Be careful with the first one though just in
case there is any pressure left; be ready for spray and don't drop it.) :-)

>There is only a plastic fuel line that connects the two fuel rails. I'm
>wondering now if that plastic fuel line is big enough (?) looks only
>like a ¼" ID pipe - and there is no clamp. It appears to be a push-on
>type fitting.

   Yep, its plenty big; take a look at the fuel lines running from the
tank; they're about the same size or smaller, and that line only needs to
feed half of the engine. A word of warning though; don't try to remove
it!! Its not a replaceable item; if you remove it you need a whole new set
of fuel rails.

>Do you know if there is any aftermarket fuel rail for the Magnum
>Engines?

   I'm not sure; I haven't seen any. I've actually thought about designing
some (billet aluminum, with a powdercoat option) but I've got lots of other
stuff on the pile to get to first. :-)

                                               -Jon-

   .--- Jon Steiger ---- jon@dakota-truck.net or stei0302@cs.fredonia.edu ---.
   | Affiliations: AOPA, DoD, EAA, NMA, NRA, SPA, USUA; Rec & UL Pilot - SEL |
   | '92 Ram 150 4x4 V8, '96 Dakota V8, '96 Intruder 1400, '96 FireFly 447 |
   `------------------------------ http://www.cs.fredonia.edu/~stei0302/ ----'



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