How to Change a 2002 Olds Silhouette Fuel Pressure Regulator

The Oldsmobile Silhouette just wasnt quite right when Olds released it in 1990. Its doorstop-on-wheels appearance didnt sit too well with either experts or buyers. Oldsmobile didnt scrap the minivan project altogether, but drastically redesigned the Silhouette in the 1997 model year, giving it a more conventional minivan look. The 2002 Silhouettes 185-horsepower, 3.4-liter V-6 engine requires between 52 and 59 psi of fuel pressure from the fuel pump at all times and varying pressure to the engine, depending on its speed. The regulator has the responsibility of adjusting the fuel pressure when the minivan is in motion, as it increases and decreases the fuel pressure as engine speed increases and decreases.

Instructions

Install a memory saver to the vehicle, according to the memory savers instruction manual. Loosen the bolt securing the negative cable end to the battery, using a combination wrench, and pull the negative cable end from the battery. Set the cable aside to prevent accidental reconnection.

Find the fuel pressure service port, the short, metal valve, on the rear passengers side of the fuel rail it may still have a plastic cap screwed onto it. If needed, unscrew the cap to expose the fuel service port.

Connect a fuel pressure gauge to the service port and set the gauges bleed hose into an approved fuel storage container. Activate the gauges bleed valve to bleed of any pressure in the fuel system. If you do not have access to a gauge, guide a small flat-head screwdriver into the top of the port until it contacts the pin inside the port. Wrap the port and the base of the screwdriver with a thick shop cloth and press the pin with the screwdriver to bleed the fuel pressure. Tighten the cap back onto the service port.

Remove the fuel pressure gauge from the fuel pressure service port.

Find the fuel pressure regulator, which is on the front drivers side of the fuel rail assembly. Pull the vacuum line from the top of the pressure regulator, using a slight twisting motion. Remove the fuel return hose, the hose screwed into the bottom of the regulator, by loosening the hoses return line fitting with a line wrench and pulling the hose downward slightly.

Remove the screw securing the regulator to its bracket, using a ratchet and Allen-bit socket. Wrap the end of the fuel rail with a thick shop cloth to absorb any spilled fuel. Rotate the fuel pressure regulator back and forth as you pull it from the fuel rail. Remove the regulator from the engine compartment.

Note the positioning of the regulators bracket, then lift the regulators bracket from the fuel rail to remove it. Discard the bracket, as it is a one-use item.

Position the new regulator bracket, which comes with the new regulator, so its cutout aligns with the grooves on the end of the fuel rail. Make sure the bracket is facing the same direction it was before you removed it, then press it downward into its grooves in the fuel rail.

Apply a thin coat of new engine oil to the O-rings on the new fuel pressure regulator. Thread the fuel return hoses fitting onto the base of the new regulator by hand, then guide the regulator into the end of the fuel rail. Hand-thread the regulators retaining screw into its bracket.

Tighten the regulators retaining bolt to 76 inch-pounds, using an inch-pound torque wrench and Allen-bit socket. Torque the fuel return hoses fitting to 13 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and crowfoot attachment.

Press the vacuum hose onto the inlet on the top of the regulator.

Verify that you seated the regulator evenly on the fuel rail and the regulators bracket did not distort or come free from its retaining grooves. Pull slightly on the regulator to check that it is firmly fixed to the fuel rail.

Reconnect the negative battery cable to the negative battery terminal and hand-tighten its retaining bolt. Tighten the negative cables bolt to 12 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket.

Turn the ignition to the Run position for two seconds, then turn it to the Off position for 10 seconds. Turn the ignition to Run again, and check the regulator and hoses for any leaks.