Opel Frontera UBS. Manual - part 2129

6E–89

ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS

D

The valve or valve seat within the fuel pressure
regulator.

D

The fuel injector(s).

4. Fuel pressure that drops off during acceleration,

cruise, or hard cornering may case a lean condition.
A lean condition can cause a loss of power, surging,
or misfire.  A lean condition can be diagnosed using
a Tech II Tech 2.  If an extremely lean condition
occurs, the oxygen sensor(s) will stop toggling.  The
oxygen sensor output voltage(s) will drop below 500
mV.  Also, the fuel injector pulse width will increase.

IMPORTANT:

Make sure the fuel system is not

operating in the “Fuel Cut-Off Mode.”

When the engine is at idle, the manifold pressure is
low (high vacuum).  This low pressure (high vacuum)
is applied to the fuel pressure regulator diaphragm.
The low pressure (high vacuum) will offset the
pressure being applied to the fuel pressure regulator
diaphragm by the spring inside the fuel pressure
regulator.  When this happens, the result is lower fuel
pressure.  The fuel pressure at idle will vary slightly as
the barometric pressure changes, but the fuel
pressure at idle should always be less than the fuel
pressure noted in step 2 with the engine “OFF.”

16.Check the spark plug associated with a particular

fuel injector for fouling or saturation in order to
determine if that particular fuel injector is leaking.  If
checking the spark plug associated with a particular
fuel injector for fouling or saturation does not
determine that a particular fuel injector is leaking,
use the following procedure:

D

Remove the fuel rail, but leave the fuel lines and
injectors connected to the fuel rail.  Refer to

 Fuel Rail

Assembly  in  On-Vehicle Service.

D

Lift the fuel rail just enough to leave the fuel injector
nozzles in the fuel injector ports.

CAUTION: In order to reduce the risk of fire and
personal injury that may result from fuel spraying on
the engine, verify that the fuel rail is positioned over
the fuel injector ports and verify  that the fuel injector
retaining clips are intact.

D

Pressurize the fuel system by connecting a 10 amp
fused jumper between B+ and the fuel pump relay
connector.

D

Visually and physically inspect the fuel injector
nozzles for leaks.

17.A rich condition may result from the fuel pressure

being above 376 kPa (55 psi).  A rich condition may
cause a DTC P0132 or a DTC P0172 to set.
Driveability conditions associated with rich
conditions can include hard starting (followed by
black smoke) and a strong sulfur smell in the
exhaust.

20.This test determines if the high fuel pressure is due

to a restricted fuel return line or if the high fuel
pressure is due to a faulty fuel pressure regulator.

21.A lean condition may result from fuel pressure

below 333 kPa (48 psi).  A lean condition may
cause a DTC P0131 or a DTC P0171 to set.
Driveability conditions associated with lean
conditions can include hard starting (when the
engine is cold ), hesitation, poor driveability, lack of
power, surging , and misfiring.

22.Restricting the fuel return line causes  the fuel

pressure to rise above the regulated fuel pressure.
Command the fuel pump “ON” with Tech 2.  The fuel
pressure should rise above 376 kPa (55 psi) as the
fuel return line becomes partially closed.

NOTE: Do not allow the fuel pressure to exceed 414 kPa
(60 psi).  Fuel pressure in excess of 414 kPa (60 psi) may
damage the fuel pressure regulator.

CAUTION: To reduce the risk of fire and personal
injury:

D

It is necessary to relieve fuel system pressure
before connecting a fuel pressure gauge.  Refer to
Fuel Pressure Relief Procedure, below.

D

A small amount of fuel may be released when
disconnecting the fuel lines.  Cover fuel line
fittings with a shop towel before disconnecting, to
catch any fuel that may leak out.  Place the towel in
an approved container when the disconnect is
completed.

Fuel Pressure Relief Procedure

1. Remove the fuel cap.
2. Remove the fuel pump relay from the underhood

relay center.

3. Start the engine and allow it to stall.
4. Crank the engine for an additional 3 seconds.

Fuel Gauge Installation

1. Remove the shoulder fitting cap.
2. Install fuel gauge 5-8840-0378-0 to the fuel feed line

located in front of and above the right side valve train
cover.

3. Reinstall the fuel pump relay.

6E–90

ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS

Fuel System Diagnosis

 

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Was the “On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check”
performed?

—

Go to 

Step 2

Go to 

OBD

System

Check

2

1. Turn the ignition “OFF.”
2. Turn the air conditioning system “OFF.”
3. Relieve fuel system pressure and install the fuel

pressure gauge.

4. Turn the ignition “ON.”

NOTE: The fuel pump will run for approximately 2
seconds.  Use Tech 2 to command the fuel pump “ON”.

5. Observe the fuel pressure indicated by the fuel

pressure gauge with the fuel pump running.

Is the fuel pressure within the specified limits?

290-376 kPa

(42-55 psi)

Go to 

Step 3

Go to 

Step 17

3

NOTE: The fuel pressure will drop when the fuel pump
stops running, then it should stabilize and remain
constant.

Does the fuel pressure indicated by the fuel pressure
gauge remain constant?

—

Go to 

Step 4

Go to 

Step 12

4

1. When the vehicle is at normal operation

temperature, turn the ignition “ON” to build fuel
pressure and observe the measurement on the
gauge.

2. Start the engine and observe the fuel pressure

gauge.

Did the reading drop by the amount specified after the
engine was started?

21-105 kPa

(3-15 psi)

Go to 

Step 5

Go to 

Step 9

5

Is fuel pressure dropping off during acceleration,
cruise, or hard cornering?

—

Go to 

Step 6

Check for

improper fuel

6

Visually and physically inspect the following items for a
restriction:

D

The in-pipe fuel filter.

D

The fuel feed line.

Was a restriction found?

—

Verify repair

Go to 

Step 7

7

Remove the fuel tank and visually and physically
inspect the following items:

D

The fuel pump strainer for a restriction.

D

The fuel line for a leak.

D

Verify that the correct fuel pump is in the vehicle.

Was a problem found in any of these areas?

—

Verify repair

Go to 

Step 8

8

Replace the fuel pump.

Is the action complete?

—

Verify repair

—

9

1. Disconnect the vacuum hose from the fuel pressure

regulator.

2. With the engine idling, apply 12-14 inches of

vacuum to the fuel pressure regulator.

Does the fuel pressure indicated by the fuel pressure
gauge drop by the amount specified?

21-105 kPa

(3-15 psi)

Go to 

Step 10

Go to 

Step 11

6E–91

ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS

Fuel System Diagnosis

  (Cont'd)

Step

No

Yes

Value(s)

Action

10

Locate and repair the loss of vacuum to the fuel
pressure regulator.

Is the action complete?

—

Verify repair

—

11

Replace the fuel pressure regulator.

Is the action complete?

—

Verify repair

—

12

1. Run the fuel pump with Tech 2.
2. After pressure has built up, turn off the pump and

clamp the supply hose shut with suitable locking
pliers.

Does the fuel pressure indicated by the fuel pressure
gauge remain constant?

—

Go to 

Step 13

Go to 

Step 15

13

Visually inspect the fuel supply line and repair any
leaks.

Was a problem found?

—

Verify repair

Go to 

Step 14

14

Remove the fuel tank and inspect for leaky hose or
in-tank fuel line.

Was a problem found?

—

Verify repair

Go to 

Step 8

15

1. If the pliers are still clamped to the fuel supply hose,

remove the locking pliers.

2. With suitable locking pliers, clamp the fuel return

line to prevent fuel from returning to the fuel tank.

3. Run the fuel pump with Tech 2.
4. After pressure has built up, remove power to the

pump.

Does the fuel pressure indicated by the fuel pressure
gauge remain constant?

—

Go to 

Step 11

Go to 

Step 16

16

Locate and replace any leaking fuel injector(s).

Is the action complete?

—

Verify repair

—

17

Is the fuel pressure indicated by the fuel pressure
gauge above the specified limit?

376 kPa

(55 psi)

Go to 

Step 18

Go to 

Step 21

18

1. Relieve the fuel pressure.  Refer to the 

Fuel

Pressure Relief.

2. Disconnect the fuel return line from the fuel rail.
3. Attach a length of flexible hose to the fuel rail return

outlet passage.

4. Place the open end of the flexible hose into an

approved gasoline container.

5. Run the fuel pump with Tech 2.
6. Observe the fuel pressure indicated by the fuel

pressure gauge with the fuel pump running.

Is the fuel pressure within the specified limits?

290-376 kPa

(42-55 psi)

Go to 

Step 19

Go to 

Step 20

19

Locate and correct the restriction in the fuel return line.

Is the action complete?

—

Verify repair

—

20

Visually and physically inspect the fuel rail outlet
passages for a restriction.

Was a restriction found?

—

Verify repair

Go to 

Step 11

21

Is the fuel pressure indicated by the fuel pressure
gauge above the specified value?

0 kPa (0 psi)

Go to 

Step 22

Go to 

Step 23

6E–92

ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS

Fuel System Diagnosis

  (Cont'd)

Step

No

Yes

Value(s)

Action

22

1. Command the fuel pump “ON” with Tech 2.
2. Using suitable pliers which will not damage the fuel

hose, gradually apply pressure with the pliers to
pinch the flexible fuel return hose closed.

CAUTION: Do not let the fuel pressure exceed
the second specified value.

Does the fuel pressure indicated by the fuel pressure
gauge rise above the first specified value?

376 kPa

(55 psi)

414 kPa

(60 psi)

Go to 

Step 11

Go to 

Step 7

23

1. Command the fuel pump “ON” with Tech 2.
2. Remove the fuel filler cap and listen for the sound of

the fuel pump running.

3. Turn the pump off.

Was the fuel pump running?

—

Go to 

Step 7

Go to 

Fuel

System

Electrical Test

Chart