fuel pressure regulator 2001 5.3

[HanibalTheCannibal]

Are there any special tools required to change a fuel pressure regulator on a 2001 silverado 5.3? Also, is there a brand that is better to get? or would an autozone part do just fine?

Any special precautions to take?

Thanks!!

[justinp01]

May I ask..... Why do you want to change it? Do you have low fuel pressure? My 01 silverado 5.3L has an occasional idle stumble, I wonder if I should replace mine. Have you tried autozone's website for assistance in replacing your fuel pressure regulator?

[HanibalTheCannibal]

Originally Posted by justinp01

May I ask..... Why do you want to change it? Do you have low fuel pressure? My 01 silverado 5.3L has an occasional idle stumble, I wonder if I should replace mine. Have you tried autozone's website for assistance in replacing your fuel pressure regulator?

I have some minor idle issues. I have changed everything but the O2 sensors, and the fuel pressure regulator. I have heard that these are typical problems in these trucks/engines.

No i havent checked the autozone site.

[justinp01]

I just replaced the plugs in mine...it runs better but still not quite right. I'm going to change the wires and probably eventually pay the $90 diagnostic and see what the dealer comes up with, another option is the TB cleaning. Do you know if the fuel sending unit in the gas tank has anything to do with the fuel pressure?

[pkbfree]

Fuel pumps definitely affect pressure, but the regulator commonly goes bad on the silverado. The regulator is a small, inexpensive and easy diy on the fuel rail. A fuel pressure guage is not cheap, but you can borrow one from autozone. It mostly will relieve the fuel line of pressure so you can remove and replace the regulator. Good luck!

[justinp01]

Well I changed my plugs, wires and fuel filter and the truck seems to runs pretty good... It only stumbles right when you turn the a/c on or off. I know a little stumble is regular, but this is a bit more than a little stumble.

Also my truck only idles at 400 rpms.. is that normal?

[pkbfree]

AC definitely pulls some juice, but it shouldn't hurt the idle on the 5.3. I am curious about your mileage. 50 - 75k you might check the belt, tension. Also a dying battery hits in this range and might affect the idle when ac comes on. Nothing else comes to mind. My 5.3 idles pretty low too without any issues.

[justinp01]

It just broke 80k miles, battery is probably a good idea... I'm pretty sure that it is the original. I might also have a belt problem b/c I hear a strang noise when I accel at low speeds... it almost sounds like a ringing noise.

[HanibalTheCannibal]

so are there any special tools needed to do this? I dont mind getting a little gas on me

[Labatt]

I just changed mine on a 1999. All that held mine in place was a retainer clip. The new one came witht a new clip and also had a snap ring which is not used on mine. All you do is un hook the hose and the use a pair of plies and pull the side of the clip and pull up to remove. Once clip is removed pull the old regulator out making sure you get the small o-ring out also by using a pair of needle nose pliers. Push the new one in place and reclip the retainer clip on the regulator and hook the hose up. It took about 10 min tops and all I need were a pair of needle nose pliers.

Hope this helps.

Labatt

[justinp01]

Did replacing this make a difference?

I just got a TB cleaning but I have not picked up my truck yet...

[HanibalTheCannibal]

Ok thanks!! Are there any particular brands, makers that are better than others? Obviously the GM ones werent too great. Hopefully they have been redesigned?

Please reply, Thanks for all the hints.

[justinp01]

I just picked up my truck and it runs absolutley great, I would recommend anyone getting a TB cleaning if they have not had it in the last 60k miles b/c when I got my truck it only had 64k and it was showing signs of a funky idle.

[HanibalTheCannibal]

Just curious, justinp.....

Do you have a K&N or another "oil-soaked" type air filter system? Or do you use just a stock air filter system with a standard paper filter? The reason I ask is I have heard that those oiled filters can dirty the TB pretty quickly.
Let me know, thanks!!

[gmtech79]

The big problem with K&N filters is the oil gets on the MAF and skews the signal back to the PCM. Go light on the oil if your gonna do it. It shouldn't affect the TB, mainly carbon gunks up the TB and causes the throttle to stick.