Fuel pressure relief valve

rmack898 · 07-24-2008, 10:32 AM

Ok guys, bear with me here. Last April on the way to Myrtle beach towing a 33' 5th wheel @ about 12K #s, the truck lost all power and would not go over 2000 RPMS, pulled over on I95 and changed the fuel filter. 100 miles later had the same problem and limped into Myrtle. After a nice weekend, headed back to Jersey with 2 spare filters. Got about 150 miles up the road and lost power, changed the filter and was up and running again. I went through both filters before I got to Virginia. I had to hit every NAPA and parts store along the way home to complete the trip. I went through 5 fuel filters to get home. When I got home I cut the filters open and they looked immaculate. I dropped the tank and inspected the pump, sock, and inside of the tank, all looked good. I took the truck to the dealer and thay claimed that the use of aftermarket fuel filters was causing my problem. 500 miles later I had the same problem without towing, so back to the dealer it went. This time they claimed that the fuel pressure regulator relief valve was causing an excessive low side fuel pressure causing the filter to collapse. They tried to charge me $1000 and I refused to pay. I called GM cutomer service and they had me walk away paying only a $100 deductable.

Fast forward to last week. Headed out to quadfest in upstate PA. Just outside of Philly I lose power again, so I change the filter and make it 20 miles before I lose power again. I limp into a chevy dealer and explain what happened in the past and what's happening now. It's close to closing time and they read the codes on the truck and say that my K&N took out the MAF sensor and that is what is causing my problems, I say no way that's the cause and thay say that they'll check it out in the morning. Since I just changed the filter, I know I don't have a contaminated fuel problem, so I gut the filter canister and take it for a ride and all power is restored. 50 miles from my destination we lose power but not as bad as before, so we liimp in. After a good weekend of riding I decide to leave the trailer and drive home without towing and make the trip without any problems. When I got home, I put a fresh fuel filter on and drove it to the dealer with a loss of power. The dealer says its the purolator filter that I installed. I told them to keep the truck for as they need to fix it but don't tell me that it's just a fuel filter. They told me that it was going to cost me a minimum of 6 hours diagnostic time to find the problem, I got pissed and told them to just fix it. I gat a call from the dealer this morning telling me that the problem is the fuel pressure regulator relief vlave and that it's a $1200 job. I told the service manager that this is the same repair/second time in 14 months, he says that he called GM and they will not cover the cost. I'm fed up with the truck and more fed up with the dealer. I wrote a 3 page letter to GM with a copy to the dealer owner. I have not called GM customer service yet as I need time to cool off.

Has anyone been through anything similar that has some advice to offer?

Mac

Patches4 · 07-24-2008, 10:51 AM

I don't know what year your dealing with, but a friend of mine had an 04 that was doing the same thing. They gave him the same answers for a while and then changed all the injectors. Truck has run fine ever since.

psyco66 · 07-24-2008, 10:54 AM

Fill in your sig so we know what truck we are dealing with.

rmack898 · 07-24-2008, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psyco66

Fill in your sig so we know what truck we are dealing with.

Sorry about that. Let's see if this works

Killerbee · 07-24-2008, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmack898

Has anyone been through anything similar that has some advice to offer?

Mac

stay away from the dealer and buy an OBD scanner. Everyone needs one of these, and an internet connection.

BTW, an FPRV shim is a DIY job, and will cost you all of 75 cents if you own a wrench.

Please, in your next post, after doing the code scan, post the codes...these guys can handle it from there.

Jameslucia108 · 07-24-2008, 05:22 PM

I have a o4 2500hd and have had they same problem you are faceing. I had at the time a hypertech programmer installed. And when you hit the accelerator hard, or was towing a diecent load the valve would stick. I found if u pull over or shut your tuck off normally for just a few seconds or up to a few minutes and resart it the valve will reset itself. I took it in to the dealer and they tried that with me as well, but being a diesel mech i knew they were blowing smoke. I went with shutting my truck off every now and then when the valve stuck, untill it just drove me nuts, then i got rid of the hypertech programmer and went with a bully dog system and havent had a problem since.... there isnt a sensor hooked up to that valve thats why is doesnt kick the check engine light on , it just blocks the flow of fuel so u cant get the motor over the 2000-2200rpm range. and you have to just wait untill the pressure inside the system bleeds out so the valve resets, and it also helps if u will use a fuel additive like power service, or some marvels mystery oil to add some much needed lubercation to the ultra low sulfer diesel fuel, and that will help as well.

Killerbee · 07-25-2008, 05:29 AM

There are about 10 common codes that trigger "limp home" mode, which is a 2000 rpm defuel operation. You must remove the code to proceed, or sit around trying to key cycle it out of the truck.

The scan gauges I use are convenient that way, they will read and purge OBD codes, in a addition to reading all sensors.

Patches4 · 07-25-2008, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Killerbee

There are about 10 common codes that trigger "limp home" mode, which is a 2000 rpm defuel operation. You must remove the code to proceed, or sit around trying to key cycle it out of the truck.

The scan gauges I use are convenient that way, they will read and purge OBD codes, in a addition to reading all sensors.

Killer - What type of scanner do you use and about how much did it cost?

rmack898 · 07-25-2008, 10:17 AM

I am so sorry I didn't find this place sooner.

The dealer has had the truck since Monday and after many go rounds with GM customer service and the service manager at the dealer ( I have spent over $120K on 3 trucks in the last 4 years with this dealer) here's the deal. The dealer is going to pay the parts and labor on the FPRV

I had a K&N on the truck and it took out the MAF

Here's where it gets good. The dealer is charging me $452 for the MAF sensor (MSRP is $352.71) and $90 to install it,(book time RR MAF is .3hrs) in addition to the 2.1 hours it took them to diagnose it. ( insert an emoticon of a smiley taking it up the wazoo) Like I said, I wish I found this place sooner.

I spent last night and a good part of today getting educated here and I can tell you that a PPE tuner and a stainless turbo back system in on the agenda for next week. I just have to recover from the shafting that I'm taking this week.

Thanks guys for the help and education.

Killerbee · 07-26-2008, 05:54 AM

Actron OBDII

but the scan gauges get used more than the scanner, unless I am looking at another vehicle