1989 TC Starts and idles fine but no power when accelerated

[Bill Sorensen]

Could someone tell me what the specified fuel pressure should be at the injectors and regulator

[Turbo Kane]

All copied from one of my all time favorite sources thedodgegarage.com look under turbo database. It’s a little dated now but all good info. 
 

Pressure regulators control the amount of fuel pressure that is applied to the injectors. The stock regulators work on a 1 to 1 ratio.

 

A. At idle, (15 inches of vacuum) you have 45 psi of fuel pressure. 
B. At 0 psi, (neither vacuum or boost) you have 55 psi of fuel pressure. 
C. At 10 psi of boost, you have 65 psi of fuel pressure. 
D. At 20 psi of boost, you have 75 psi of fuel pressure.

With engine running at idle and vacuum line pulled from regulator you should have 55psi. 

 

Your 2.2 turbo II engine has 33pph injectors.  Duty cycle is 85% at 5200-5600 @13-14psi

 

 

[Hemi Dude]

That is great information to have, but people like Bill and even myself just need to know 45 - 55 lb.

like mine, I think Bill’s TC is just a generic 2.2L

[Bill Sorensen]

I just checked the pressure at the fuel rail and as it is idling it holds at a steady 21 pounds and revving the engine does not change the pressure at all. where would i attach the gauge to check for the fifty five pounds. Your right Hemi Dude it is a generic 2.2L.

[Turbo Kane]

You have a bad FPR. You had the gauge attached to the rail and that’s where you should see 45psi vacuum line on and 55 with the vacuum line off. 

[Hemi Dude]

With a flat bladed pair of vice grip pliers, momentarily squeeze shut the smaller of the 2 rubber fuel lines, the one that returns the excess fuel to the fuel tank while you look at the fuel pressure gauge. If the pressure rises to 55 lb., the FPR (Fuel Pressure Regulator) could be considered bad. But if the low pressure remains, you have installed a fuel pump for a TBI (Throttle Body Injection) system and will need to replace it with one specified for a turbo/V6 fuel system.

[Bill Sorensen]

Today I will be trying out what you said, Hemi Dude. Hopefully I will be able to determine if in fact it is an FPR or the fuel pump. Just to be clear, the pressure at the fuel rail is normally 55 PSI or is it usually much lower? When we installed the existing fuel pump it ran fine but sitting for a long period of time might have compromised it again.

[Turbo Kane]

With the engine running if you momentarily pinch off the return fuel line it should be 45psi at the rail. If you were to disconnect the vacuum line from the fpr the pressure at the rail should be 55psi. 

[Bill Sorensen]

I believe I determined that the fuel pump is bad. I pinched all the lines as mentioned, checked pressure on the inlet tube while disconnected from rail the check pressure directly from pump out of the tank. 21 pounds max pressure. I am sure that it was the correct pump when installed three years ago as my wife and I drove it at least 100 miles without problems but the I returned it to my friend, the owner and it sat for 2 1/2 years, We shall see when my friend buys his new pump. Than you all for your input.

[Bill Sorensen]

Got a new pump and checking it outside of car it has 88 pounds of pressure. Is that too much or will the regulator lower it on the fuel rail? The pump we replaced had what looked like a pressure regulator on it but this one does not. 

[Turbo Kane]

A properly working FPR will adjust to the correct pressure. Good to know you have a good working pump now. The old pump probably had a dampener on it to keep the pressure more steady. Some fuel rails have a dampener on the end. I’ve ran just fine without a dampener anywhere in the system but reading fuel pressure on a gauge is a little more tricky as your gauge needle will be a little jumpy. 

[Bill Sorensen]

fuel pump installed, 80 PSI at the firewall and 43 out of the fuel rail. Seems to run fine but was unable to test drive it. I imagine the smog test will be the determining factor if anything else will be required. Thanks for everyones help, I really do appreciate the knowledge that is available on this site.