• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Fuel 89 GT low fuel pressure

  • Thread starter Thread starter FetusLasVegas
  • Start date Start date Nov 12, 2018

FetusLasVegas

Member
Sep 19, 2018
78
4
18
Chicago
Nov 12, 2018
#1
  • Nov 12, 2018
  • #1
Hi all! At koeo, when the pump primes I get zero reading at my fuel pressure test gauge. Once running, at idle it sits at 20psi, under throttle sits at 20psi, vac line removed from fpr, 20psi, etc.

Along with this I have all the symptoms of low fuel pressure/running lean. Hard starts, difficult to keep running when first started. Misfiring/backfiring, bucking in low rpm, power falls off at high rpm, cel and codes 41/91. I have just replaced the fuel filter and fpr, and the problem persists. Before ordering a new fuel pump I’d like to be sure that’s the issue. I feel like it’s the last piece of the puzzle, but I want to be sure.
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,897
10,553
203
polk county florida
Nov 12, 2018
#2
  • Nov 12, 2018
  • #2
Yea,go ahead and replace that fuel pump. Just don't jump on the 'go big or go home' bandwagon. A 155 gives you lots of room to grow. Check the filler neck grommet and the seal at the top of the filler neck too, they get hard and torn with age.
 
Reactions: FetusLasVegas

FetusLasVegas

Member
Sep 19, 2018
78
4
18
Chicago
Nov 12, 2018
#3
  • Nov 12, 2018
  • #3
Is there a specific reason not to ‘go big’? With a negligible price difference and a return fuel system like ours why wouldn’t I go with larger knowing that outside of pump failure, I’ll never have to do this install again, regardless of the directon my build takes.
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,897
10,553
203
polk county florida
Nov 12, 2018
#4
  • Nov 12, 2018
  • #4
Just because you can does not mean you should. The more fuel you move the more heat transfer the fuel is subjected to, also airiating the fuel is not a good idea. A 155 will support a bunch of hp, I think most here will agree no bigger than 190.
 
Reactions: FetusLasVegas

FetusLasVegas

Member
Sep 19, 2018
78
4
18
Chicago
Nov 12, 2018
#5
  • Nov 12, 2018
  • #5
General karthief said:
Just because you can does not mean you should. The more fuel you move the more heat transfer the fuel is subjected to, also airiating the fuel is not a good idea. A 155 will support a bunch of hp, I think most here will agree no bigger than 190.
Click to expand...

Damnit!!! I had to get my order in before 3pm and ended up going with the 255lph. The 155 and 190 were both out of stock anyway. I hope it's not too big of an issue.
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,897
10,553
203
polk county florida
Nov 12, 2018
#6
  • Nov 12, 2018
  • #6
Doubtful, just do this alot.
you may need an aftermarket regulator, check you pressure to be sure.
 

a91what

SendMeUrDataLog
10 Year Member
Apr 6, 2011
10,739
6,720
214
Hillsborough county
Nov 12, 2018
#7
  • Nov 12, 2018
  • #7
255 is not a problem thats what i run but i have alot of mods that make it necessary. now i would also replace the fuel pressure regulator, nothing fancy is needed just a stock replacement will work. If you want you can step up to a kirban fpr and set it to the stock pressure.
 

Dan02gt

mazing how much gas smell came from that tiny hole
20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 2, 2003
909
415
113
Greenville, NC
Nov 12, 2018
#8
  • Nov 12, 2018
  • #8
There is a short S hose that goes between the fuel pump and hangar connection. It has a tendency to split and might be your problem. I upgraded my fuel pump about a month ago and found this hose was about to let go on my car.
 
Reactions: JD1964

FetusLasVegas

Member
Sep 19, 2018
78
4
18
Chicago
Nov 12, 2018
#9
  • Nov 12, 2018
  • #9
a91what said:
255 is not a problem thats what i run but i have alot of mods that make it necessary. now i would also replace the fuel pressure regulator, nothing fancy is needed just a stock replacement will work. If you want you can step up to a kirban fpr and set it to the stock pressure.
Click to expand...

From what I've read I didn't think it would be a big deal. I did just replace my fpr with a factory replacement so I should be all good on that end.

Dan02gt said:
There is a short S hose that goes between the fuel pump and hangar connection. It has a tendency to split and might be your problem. I upgraded my fuel pump about a month ago and found this hose was about to let go on my car.
Click to expand...

If that's the case I will find out on wednesday and update if so. I prob should have checked that before getting the new pump, but with a half tank currently I'd prefer to only drop the tank once...
 

Blown88GT

Founding Member
Nov 13, 1999
2,283
524
164
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Nov 12, 2018
#10
  • Nov 12, 2018
  • #10
FetusLasVegas said:
Damnit!!! I had to get my order in before 3pm and ended up going with the 255lph. The 155 and 190 were both out of stock anyway. I hope it's not too big of an issue.
Click to expand...
255 is the max for another reason. Vacuum compensation at idle will be minimal; the factory return line is just too small. I have a 255 with a Kirban AFPR & it won't go below 40psi. Normal idle with vacuum line attached is 34-35 psi.

The Megasquirt can be tuned no matter what the idle pressure is.

You can use the existing pump to empty the tank before you drop it. You don't need pressure, only flow. Remove the schrader valve innards, attached a hose to it with a hose clamp. put the hose in a 5 gal fuel can. Jumper the test port to ground, turn the ignition on & the pump will run continuously.
 
Reactions: FetusLasVegas and General karthief

FetusLasVegas

Member
Sep 19, 2018
78
4
18
Chicago
Nov 12, 2018
#11
  • Nov 12, 2018
  • #11
Blown88GT said:
255 is the max for another reason. Vacuum compensation at idle will be minimal; the factory return line is just too small. I have a 255 with a Kirban AFPR & it won't go below 40psi. Normal idle with vacuum line attached is 34-35 psi.

The Megasquirt can be tuned no matter what the idle pressure is.

You can use the existing pump to empty the tank before you drop it. You don't need pressure, only flow. Remove the schrader valve innards, attached a hose to it with a hose clamp. put the hose in a 5 gal fuel can. Jumper the test port to ground, turn the ignition on & the pump will run continuously.
Click to expand...

Is it a big deal to be running that rich at idle? Is there something I can do other than ordering a different pump?
 

Blown88GT

Founding Member
Nov 13, 1999
2,283
524
164
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Nov 12, 2018
#12
  • Nov 12, 2018
  • #12
FetusLasVegas said:
Is it a big deal to be running that rich at idle? Is there something I can do other than ordering a different pump?
Click to expand...
If you don't mind a surging idle.
 

FetusLasVegas

Member
Sep 19, 2018
78
4
18
Chicago
Nov 12, 2018
#13
  • Nov 12, 2018
  • #13
Blown88GT said:
If you don't mind a surging idle.
Click to expand...

So an adjustable fpr wont amend this situation? I either need a lower volume pump or deal with surging idle? How bad of surging are we talking about? Is there a different option? No one has anything less than a walbro 255 in stock.
 

Blown88GT

Founding Member
Nov 13, 1999
2,283
524
164
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Nov 12, 2018
#14
  • Nov 12, 2018
  • #14
FetusLasVegas said:
1. So an adjustable fpr wont amend this situation?
2. I either need a lower volume pump or deal with surging idle?
3. How bad of surging are we talking about? Is there a different option?
4. No one has anything less than a walbro 255 in stock.
Click to expand...
1. Nope. I even drilled out the return port as far as I dared to, maybe a few 1000th's
2. Or larger fuel rails & return line back to the tank. The restriction causes the pressure to be higher.
3. Can't say for sure. There are many options, but none may be desirable for you.
4. Did you look at getting a 155 or 190 locally? The factory one was an 88 which may be all you need with your current build.

In my case it was a defective pump sock that killed the pump.
 

a91what

SendMeUrDataLog
10 Year Member
Apr 6, 2011
10,739
6,720
214
Hillsborough county
Nov 12, 2018
#15
  • Nov 12, 2018
  • #15
I ran the 255 with the stock ECU no issue. I still get my 34psi at idle now with the gss255lph hp pump in tank. maybe I got lucky or I have it mixed up in my mind with the 225hp version.
 

Blown88GT

Founding Member
Nov 13, 1999
2,283
524
164
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Nov 14, 2018
#16
  • Nov 14, 2018
  • #16
a91what said:
I ran the 255 with the stock ECU no issue. I still get my 34psi at idle now with the gss255lph hp pump in tank. maybe I got lucky or I have it mixed up in my mind with the 225hp version.
Click to expand...
It could be because there are now many different 255''s, mine maintains pressure at high flow, I think it's the GSS342.
https://walbrofuelpumps.com/walbro-gss-fuel-pumps

4 different 255's shown here.
 

JD1964

there is enough sticking out to grab on to
15 Year Member
Jun 28, 2013
3,432
1,524
194
Maryland
Nov 17, 2018
#17
  • Nov 17, 2018
  • #17
Dan02gt said:
There is a short S hose that goes between the fuel pump and hangar connection. It has a tendency to split and might be your problem. I upgraded my fuel pump about a month ago and found this hose was about to let go on my car.
Click to expand...

Yeah, mine split!
 

Steel1

Mustang Master
Aug 18, 2017
1,419
639
143
Connecticut
Nov 19, 2018
#18
  • Nov 19, 2018
  • #18
I've been running a TRE 255lph pump (not high pressure) on multiple different engine combos (supercharged stock ecu w/fmu and ecu w/chip)
Always ran a stock fpr and never had any high pressure issues.
Now currently running with my 393w PimpXS set-up.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
87 GT - Low Fuel Pressure Problem
  • Asbury
  • Jun 11, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
3
Views
107
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 11, 2026
Noobz347
C
98 gt fuel pressure issues
  • chasecollier1984
  • Jun 2, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
0
Views
62
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Jun 2, 2026
chasecollier1984
C
D
Fuel Erratic Fuel Pressure 1985 GT
  • DienstXIV
  • Jan 14, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
16
Views
646
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jan 16, 2026
AeroCoupe
M
01 mustang 3.8 fuel pressure issue
  • Mhaley2006
  • May 29, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
111
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- May 29, 2026
Mhaley2006
M
A
1987 5.0 speed density Foxbody crank no start
  • Alan2204
  • May 23, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
10
Views
253
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 30, 2026
Mcmahst
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?