Loss of power after changing fuel pump/filter.... regulator?

[Joemakerman]

Hey guys I'm no mechanic and this truck is what I'm using to learn.

So little bit ago the fuel pump went bad. I replaced it and replaced the filter, but now I have virtually no power. Had to rescue my girlfriend and her parents Christmas day as their car broke down heading out to WV. Going down highway 70 at those high speeds (I never go over 55 in normal driving), most of the time even the slightest incline I'd have the pedal to the floor and still be losing speed. Also in general, as I push the pedal further to accelerate (only further than halfway down, no problems at lower speeds), there's no response for a maybe 5 seconds then all of a sudden it kicks in. The thing is though it's not consistent, sometimes it has more power or kicks in better than others. Either way it's still never what it was before.

At first I was wondering if maybe somehow something could have been blocking the fuel line, but after some research I'm wondering if it could be the fuel pressure regulator. Didn't find anything on here much about it, and my experience is minimal so I was hoping to get your all's second opinions please?

My Dad says I should take it to someone and maybe he's right but I want to take a last ditch effort first.

Thanks a ton guys,
-Joe

 

[kennyw]

First, make sure you did not pinch a fuel line in the process of replacing anything.

 

[Burbdood 74]

If you're talking about the fuel filter on the frame are you sure you didn't put it in backwards?

 

[4X4HIGH]

If you're talking about the fuel filter on the frame are you sure you didn't put it in backwards?

^this was my thought^

 

[Joemakerman]

Checked today and nothing is pinched. I'll double check the filter tomorrow but I remember putting it in the same direction as the one before, so unless I put it down and picked it back up backwards or something, it should be right. Can't hurt to be sure though.

I decided to go ahead and take the regulator out and inspect it today. The diaphragm/gasket/whatnot seems to be just fine. Not torn or dry rotted, still moves freely and seems fine. No gas on the outside of the assembly so I don't think it'd be leaking either. I was talking to a couple guys and they both couldn't think of anything it'd be except perhaps a faulty fuel pump; they both agreed it's not unheard of. Thinking about it, it might make sense because as I was moving up in the drive thru the other day it started putt-ing out a bit at that slow RPM just like it started doing as the first signs of the last pump blowing.

I figured well hell, 1 year warranty on the new pump. I'll buy the Bosch like I wanted originally (had to put an Airtex in, it was all I could find at the time) and return the Airtex as defective. If it runs well that's purely awesome. If not, then it's off to the shop unless you all have any other ideas.

 

[dyeager535]

If you've got autozones out there, they "rent" the fuel pressure testers for free, if you didn't want to just replace the pump hoping it fixes the problem.