Fuel Leak !!!

Pic 1: Leaky injectors

Some time after my stage II mods, fuel smell inside the ER34 has become a norm. I took to it as nothing more than perhaps running a wee bit rich, hence the strong odour. Didn't really give much thought to it as I have a blocked nose most of the time. The little amount of passenger that the ER34 ferries would often comment on the strong odour whenever they board the car. I couldn't really be bothered because, well ..... fuel smells great to me! It's a natural high for us petrol heads. :P

What is getting a tad worrisome is that the smell is getting stronger, so much so that people standing outside of the car would get high and start doing the chicken dance. Ok I exaggerated a little bit here but you get the picture.

Pic 2: Can see the fuel stains

So anyway, I decided to take a look at what's happening under the hood. Using my nose like a blood hound, I sniff my way around the engine bay and it lead me to the centre of the engine bay. Lo and behold, those damn injectors are leaking fuel. All 6 injectors are leaking via cracked o-rings!

Pic 3: O-rings are indeed in a bad shape

Now this sucked big time, I was scratching my head on where to find replacement o-rings. Order from SARD? I bet it will be ridiculously priced! Luckily one of my contact knows where to get it and promptly ordered some for me locally. With the o-rings replaced, the injectors are back to normal and no more fuel leakage.

Pic 4: New o-rings were fitted and the injectors were mated back with the fuel rail


Pic 5: In goes the fuel rail and injectors

A quick check around the fuel lines also leads to another leak. The Tomei fuel pressure regulator is leaking where the fuel lines joins the fittings. A quick change of fuel lines and new banjo clips solved that pretty quickly. After the above drama, the ER34 is now back to normal and hey no more fuel smell! Woohoo!

Is that the end of the ordeal? Hardly unfortunately. Strangely enough, a week later when I started the ER34 in the noon for a lunch appointment with alvint, it reeks of even stronger fuel smell. This can't be right at all. Pop open the hood and tracing the fuel lines, I saw fuel literally dripping off from the fuel rail adapter plate. Oh man, I can't drive the ER34 with it leaking fuel like that, I might end up with a big bang and have a burnt wreck as a car after that!

Took out my tools and gave it a couple of quick turns to tighten the banjo clips. This will serve as a temporary measure while I drive out to my mechanic's place to get new fuel lines and also a new banjo clip. Problem has since been solved and the ER34 has been running fine for a couple of weeks now. Phew! Lucky that is solved finally!

Pic 6: The Tomei Fuel Pressure Regulator were also leaking

For Sale: BNR34 Stock Fuel Rail with Fuel Regulator

I have no use for this, thus am selling off my my BNR34 stock fuel rail with fuel regulator. If anyone is keen, shoot me an email at eujin[at]hotmail[dot]com.

Tomei Fuel Pressure Regulator Type S

Pic 1: Tomei Fuel Pressure Regulator Type S package

The factory ER34 fuel pressure regulator (FPR) is great for stock to mild tuning, but it is not capable of increased fuel demands for higher horsepower applications especially since a higher output fuel pump is installed.

Errr ...... yes more horsy power is indeed in the works for the ER34.

There are many fuel pressure regulators in the market from Sard, Nismo to Malpassi but I settled on the Tomei because it's pretty new in the market and at the moment there are no copy versions. Fake units of Sard fuel pressure regulator are now everywhere in the market and you wouldn't want to be fooling around with matters concerning highly flammable fuel!

Pic 2: Tomei Fuel Pressure Regulator Type S package

Pic 3: Tomei Fuel Pressure Regulator Type S

Tomei fuel pressure regulator (Part No. 185001) is a rising rate regulator and have 2 versions; the Type S and the Type L. Basically a smaller and a larger version. The Type S FPR is recommended by Tomei for general tuning setups (Boost-Up/Bolt-On Turbo). The Type L FPR is recommended for Higher Flow, High Power, High Boost setups. Thus in my case, I suppose a Type S will suffice. :)

I must say that the FPR looked very 'pretty' compared to the offering from Nismo. It is made from aluminium with a hard anodized surface finish. The Type S weights just 155gm (not that it matters anyway).

Pic 4: 2 units of AN6 1/8NPT and 2 units of 1/8NP fittings

Fitting is pretty straight forward too as it can be installed in place of the OEM fuel regulator with the proper adapter.

Design wise, the the Tomei FPR comes with 3 ports on the bottom, and both sides. The bottom is for the fuel exit. One side is for fuel inlet, and the other is for pressure sensor connections. These are all 1/8 NPT sized.

I am not too sure that the stock FPR diaphragm diameter are but the TYpe S has a diameter of f33 and vacuum hose nipple diameter of f4.5. Pressure adjustability ranges from 2.0kgf/cm2 to 8.0kgf/cm2.

Pic 5: Mounting bracket

Oh, btw, do remember to obtain the mounting bracket (vehicle specific) as well. This is not included in the box, without it, you'll end up clueless on how to mount it on. :)

Pic 6: Free stickers


Pic 7: Detailed specs


Pic 8: Detailed specs