'96 Intrepid - Fuel System

2K3RTSEDAN · #1 04-06-2005, 09:58 PM

I was just wondering if anyone has had the same issue with their intrepid. Here are the vitals:

1996 Dodge Intrepid
3.3 Liter V6
102,500 Miles

At 98,000 the fuel pressure regulator valve (drivers side of engine, along side the intake at the back - you can see it as having a small vaccuum line running into it) started leaking gas while it was in the shop getting front tires. The shop replaced it before it burned everything to the ground. Ever since then the car seems to take a long time to start. When the car started right away before (one, maybe two turns) it seems to take several seconds, I'd say on average 4-6 seconds of continuous cranking. It does always start however, so I'm not overly concerned.

My theory:

The regulator valve is defective and is not holding the required fuel pressure in the intake rails to allow the car to start in what I would call a "normal" time frame. Once the engine shuts down the fuel pressure bleeds backwards into the supply line. The 4-6 seconds of cranking is just what it takes for the system to build up full pressure from the fuel pump and start the car.

Any mechanics out there have any ideas? I'm just curious. I'd love to replace the regulator valve in it, but I'm told they are not cheap (after market around $50, MOPAR around $75-$80).

I'll listen to any and all ideas! Thanks...

rdlybeck69 · #2 09-24-2006, 08:40 PM

I also have a similar problem. I replaced the fuel pressure regulator in my 97 Intrepid, and now when the vehicle has been sitting all night it has an extended crank in the morning. After driving around the car will start fine, but its when it has been sitting for several hours that the fuel pressure drops to almost nothing. I pushed in on the test port on the fuel rail and can't even get fuel to dribble out. But after running the car the pressure is tested in normal range. Is this the brand new fuel pressure regulator or is it something else that causes the pressure to leak when sitting for several hours?

Thanks,
Ryan
PS. How much pressure should there be in the fuel rail after sitting all night long?

kurts2 · #3 10-27-2006, 04:27 PM

I'm not possitive, but fairly sure, that the pressure only takes about 1 sec when you first turn the key to the run possition (prior to cranking the engine). You can usually hear this if you listen for it. If it takes longer, you may have a pump issue. Do you have a fuel pressure tester? They are fairly cheep ($15) and it could aid in your troubleshooting. Also when was the last time you changed your fuel filter?