A warning - fuel pressure regulators

[anonymous-user]

I fitted a Sytec regulator running at 3psi and after 4 months it developed a leak, not a weep but a flow around the pressure adjuster. I fitted a second one and at the time took the first one apart to find that the rubber diaphragm that actuates the inlet flow valve also acts as the sealing gasket for the unit on a flange only slightly smaller, meaning there is hardly any sealing seating. Bearing in mind with this design even if the seating works if the diaphragm splits the fuel will enter the dry side and then pour out at 3psi through the conveniently located hole below the round sticker which then falls off so there's no 'safe failure ' - this is exactly what happened after 30 miles with the replacement unit.
Here's the type (also made under other names):



Now here's the diaphragm, the photos arent that great but it can be seen that there is no other sealing and the diaphragm has hardly any seating, the central hole is in the second photo:





IMHO having had two of these with the same design I would strongly recommend anyone running one should check it regularly - or even better chuck it as far as it will go and replace it!

I can't believe these have passed any standards at all they're bloody dangerous.

Edited by V6Pushfit on Sunday 17th July 18:30

[harry b]

Can't say I'm shocked with a £26 item quality. My regulator costed about 4 times that and still works fine after 25 years of use.

Good for the warning though.

Edited by harry b on Sunday 24th July 17:00

[anonymous-user]

I have fitted a Petrol King now, far superior. Got it from Burtons who said they stopped supplying the Sytec type because of the number of returns of leaking units. I see there are still a lot of the Sytec type on Ebay but they should be banned.