I was having a problem with my 2000 Chevrolet Silverado. It was starting hard all the time with the exception of first thing in the morning. The first start of the day would go just fine, but the rest would turn over and over rapidly until I pumped the gas pedal. Then it would start but it would sputter for a little bit. Once or twice it also quit on me when I was slowing down to turn a corner.
I had this issue a few years ago and I paid about $200 to get it fixed. The repair shop replaced the fuel pressure regulator, also known as the fuel flow regulator. I figured I could do it myself and as it turns out it’s relatively cheap and quite easy.
First you need to test if your truck has a broken fuel pressure regulator. To do that you need to run the vehicle for about a minute and then turn it off and remove the vacuum line from the regulator -If fuel leaks out, it needs to be replaced. It’s about the size of a walnut and is located on the drivers side fuel rail for the 5.3 liter v8.
Here are the steps to replace it yourself.
1. Tools and parts needed: Fire extinguisher, a pair of screwdrivers, and something to take the negative post off your battery. The part I got was about $60 from amazon: BWD Automotive 24027 Pressure Regulator (V08161). (update: I’ve heard most people end up paying around $80 for the part elsewhere)
2. Depressurize the fuel system. Start by removing the gas cap.
3. The pressure isn’t gone yet… now you have to pull the fuel pump relay out engine compartments fuse box. And then start the vehicle until it dies. If it doesn’t quit, you pulled the wrong relay, consult the manual. If you do not do this step, gasoline under 40+ lbs of pressure will spray in your face and on the engine.
4. Disconnect the negative terminal from the battery. (if you’re studying this photo, maybe this project isn’t for you)
5. Remove vacuum line and the clip that is holding the regulator in there. I used a pair of screwdrivers to pop it off. Once removed the regulator should just slide right out. Now the fuel screen/filter may be left behind. My kit came with a new filter.
6. The parts should come out in this order (pictured is not OEM – I had this replaced once before so yours may look different) Notice I got out the little gasket behind the fuel filter.
7. Here is a picture of it fully removed.
8. Lube the rubber gaskets supplied with the new Fuel Pressure Regulator with a little engine oil.
9. To replace it, just push the new one in and follow the steps in reverse. It may start hard the first time because it has to build the fuel pressure back up. (Note: you may not need all the bushings supplied)
Good luck!
sean says:
Thanks man. This was exactly what I needed. What a perfect write up. I followed it exactly about 1 hour ago. My truck is back to running like a champ.
December 5, 2008 — 7:42 pm
Mark says:
Perfect easy as pie took longer to de-pressurize
December 11, 2008 — 4:06 pm
Don T says:
Fantastic post – I’ll have a shot at this and let you know how it comes out.
Many thanks.
DT
December 28, 2008 — 7:25 pm
Terry Bell says:
Thank You. I have been having the same problems. Replaced the plugs, wires and fuel filter. Still not running right and the service engine light was still on. I checked the EGR valve and it looked good. Done some more research and found your site. I knew that the fuel regulator was the next thing to check, but where was it and what did it look like. Thanks to your site, I was able to locate it and check the vac line and yes there was fuel in the line. I am going to replace today. Thanks for the pics, they sure helped out.
2000 Silverado 4.8L V8
Terry
December 30, 2008 — 7:56 am
pete says:
I had the same problem, I changed the spark plugs, fuel filter, and now the fuel pressure regulator. It had gas inside it, so I figured that this was the problem. It started real good right after, went to work, 4 hours later, it was back to the same hard starting, *(^&%$#@
January 30, 2009 — 9:09 pm
Scott Andrews says:
Thank you very much for this post. I picked up the new regulator on the way home from work and installed it about a half an hour ago. In short, with the guidance provided here, for just under 50 bucks and about 15 minutes work total, I fixed a problem that had the “rocket scientists” at the local Chevy dealer still scratching their heads after keeping my truck for over two days. (Just to rub salt in their wounds, after two days they couldn’t bill me for any more than one hour’s diagnostic time!)
Anyway, the truck, which has run just over 130,000 miles, now starts, idles and accelerates as good as it did when I bought it nearly ten years ago.
1999 Silverado 4.8L V8
Scott
January 31, 2009 — 12:47 pm
Erik says:
You are the man! I was also having the exact problems on my truck as well. I picked up the part at my local Autozone, followed your instructions and now it is running and starting like a champ. I love the photos added to the step by step instructions. I also took the opportunity to change the fuel filter as well since the lines were depressurized.
2000 Silverado 5.3L
Erik
March 12, 2009 — 9:19 am
William says:
Great post!!!! 2000 Silverado, 5.3, 203,142 miles. This fixed my starting problem but then the throttle positioning sensor went out on the test drive! Now if I could just get the HVAC temp dial to cooperate…………
March 18, 2009 — 4:48 pm
Mike Dills says:
I am having a hard time getting the clip back on. The regulator doesn’t seem to want to go in easy.
Any one else have this problem and what did you do?
I have lubed the seal, tried it without the bushing, tried the old filter, etc. I am going to use vise grips and press it in and get he clip on. 10 minutes turned into 60 minutes and my hands and back hurt.
March 22, 2009 — 7:32 am
Moe says:
Dude!!!!! You are the man!!!
Install a “Donate through Paypal” link to this, and I assure you can make a couple of bucks wit this. I’ll be the first to hook you up!!
Thank You Bro, you saved me a bundle.
April 27, 2009 — 9:10 am
Jack says:
Thanks for the install tips…this is my second fuel pressure regulator. The first one came right after my mechanic replaced my fuel pump $900.00. I brought the truck (1999 5.3 silverado) back to the shop and he (shop manager/owner’s son) gave me the deer in the headlight look when i told him about the hard start issue. Went home researched how to fix hard starting silverado. Fixed, these blogs work. Fixed the first fuel pressure regulator and the second one on my own, Napa parts store $69.00 AAA card discount.
May 7, 2009 — 11:51 am
JL says:
Great post and walk through. Great comment about the negative terminal…
I have a 7.4L 8Cyc big block 98 3500 cheyenne…
do you know where the FPR is located for that engine?
hard time finding it…
May 24, 2009 — 6:42 am
Justin says:
Thanks a lot man. I was told that was what needed replaced, but in the process i got sidetracked, thus causing the order of the parts to get mixed up…. luckily i found your post, and had it figured out in no time!
Justin 2000 Silverado 4.8 4×4
June 2, 2009 — 9:23 am
LAD says:
I personally appreciate your time in posting this information. Saved me $$$ and aggravation. Others have had trouble in getting the regulator in the hole. I used vaseline on both gaskets. I used my forefinger on the back rail and thumb on the regulator and slight twisted the vertical part left to right and it went end smoothly. No problems getting the clip back on. Another thing to check is the rubber attaching hoses. I found several cracks in one of mine and replaced it with a new short piece. Ethanol and heat is playing havoc with older rubber. Runs like new. BTW…Who was that masked man anyway. Thanks.
June 14, 2009 — 6:34 am
Dan B says:
I am having the same trouble Mike Dills listed above – everything went fine until I tried to put the new one in. Neither the new one nor the old one I just removed will go back in! (Yes, the part is compatible – it’s exactly the same as the original one.)
What am I missing here?
June 28, 2009 — 5:07 am
Dan B says:
Well, I just used a C-clamp to squeeze it on there, and that did the job. Truck is running like new! This is after getting over $1000 of work done at the dealership with no improvement! So thanks again for this site!
June 28, 2009 — 6:15 am
Jim says:
Have a 2000 myself had the same problam, after it was run then shut off for 10 to 15 min. it would not want to start unless I put my foot on the gas, after reading this blog I checked in to the regulater, sure enuff that was the problam, thanks for the info. the c clamp worked really well to, took 5 min. to fix. Thank you..
September 1, 2009 — 11:34 am
Joe says:
Great info. the vacuum hose had lots of gas in it, I really appreciate your time to guide me through this problem since I was at a lost. Thankyou very much.
September 14, 2009 — 6:48 am
phillip says:
just what the doctor ordered thanks very simple and right on the money .the prices varied alot car quest 107.00,advance 46 and change dealer was 120.00 thank you very much for your help i think it is very common the gm dealer even had the part my silverado has only 50k on it its really the only problem i have had
September 22, 2009 — 9:56 am
Mike Buckmeier says:
I have a 1999 with the same problem and after reading your site i replaced the fuel regulator and it fixed the hard starting problem. But now the fuel pump ( $600 Brand new.. less than a month old..) is humming and vibrating in the tank like it is working over time. Any ideas?? Feedback would be VERY helpful. Thanks guys
October 12, 2009 — 6:02 am
MARK says:
AFTER ALOT OF PARTS CHANGING AND PRAYING, I FOUND YOU FORUM. FOLLOWED IT, TRUCK RUNNING FINE NOW. THANKS!!!!
November 1, 2009 — 11:51 am
Doug says:
Thanks for the detailed info. Over the past 2yrs I had 2 occasions were the engine died while sitting at a stop light and another time it die as I excellerated during a left turn,and it died as I started to straighten out after the turn. Now I am having start problems. I turn the key on and hear the pump run. Then when I start the engine ,it just spins. I have to spin it for a second and let go,then start it again and it starts. I have 205000 miles. I plan to change the filter and this press reg vlv this week. thanks again
November 3, 2009 — 5:26 am
JP says:
I have a 2000 Chevy Silverado LS that was hard to start. Took to my mechanic, he replaced fuel pump module to the tune of $550.00 big ones. Got it back and still wasn’t right. So I did a little research on net & found this site. I’m forever grateful…truly !! I replaced fuel pressure regulator myself ( I’m a chick ) with help from father. Worst part was the replacing clamp…but everything is running smooth again. Thanks so much for taking the time to demo this. Great Job !!
November 15, 2009 — 2:42 pm
adam smith says:
Wow….what a relief! Thank you so much for your generosity in sharing this info! I got my new regulator at kragen for 46.00 and new filter for 14.00 . Did mine in the dark with flashlight and made one small mistake! The borg warner reglator comes as a unit with screen and small 0-ring pre-assembled. While removing the old parts, I left the old o-ring(small) in the fuel rail. Needless to say……I figured it out the hard way when I tryed to re-insert the new regulator! Im sharing this because I read two other blogs where readers said they had trouble with re-installation. DONT FORGET TO REMOVE THE OLD O-RING BEHIND THE SCREEN!! You shouldnt have to fight this job at all, if it dosent just slip right in, somethings wrong. You shouldnt have to use c-clamps or anything other than finger pressure. Hope this helped somebody! Adam 1999 4.8
December 13, 2009 — 9:11 pm
nick says:
i have a 99 4.8 and i took the old regulator out and tried to put the new one in but it wouldnt go all the way in so i tried the old one again and it went in but now my truck wont start at all. any idea?
January 7, 2010 — 10:32 am
Rick says:
Thanks! Great detailed instructions from start to finish. Problem solved 😎👊
December 3, 2016 — 5:03 pm
Calvin says:
Where can i find that hose that’s connected to the regulator
December 15, 2016 — 8:15 am
Brian E Thomas says:
Months, dollars and headaches all came to an end when I found this post. Thank you so much.
February 21, 2017 — 2:30 pm
Adam says:
You are awesome!! I’ve never fixed anything on a vehicle and I was dealing with a hard start and rough idle on a used 2000 GMC 2500 for roughly 2 months. I fixed it today, though did have some trouble putting the clamp back on. THANKS!!!
May 7, 2017 — 1:45 am
Larry says:
Had similar problems with my 01 GMC Sierra. I had replaced my fuel pump about 7 years ago and it just started acting the same way again last week. As per your blog I went to check the pressure regulator for the presence of fuel and saw that the rubber boot on the vacuum line was cracked. $5.00 new rubber boot and run perfect again. Thanks for your posts.
May 23, 2017 — 6:19 pm
bob l says:
Great write up and description with beautiful photos. My Buick Regal has been hard start; dies while driving, I thought it might be the Crank position sensor (that might be bad too) but tomorrow my trip to NAPA will finally fix my car. Thanks for an excellent post. regards
September 1, 2017 — 10:38 pm
MyHoe says:
I changed the fuel pressure regulator on my 04 tahoe now it doesnt start .. pump works ..relay clicks .. what am i missing?? It started before i changed it now it doesn’t
February 11, 2018 — 10:09 pm
Michael says:
I also have 2000 myself with same issue: it shut off after running for 15mins.
You advice helped, thank for info thanks for the info.
October 27, 2018 — 11:45 am
Derek says:
I have a 2000 silverado with 5.3 I only paid 10$ for my feul pressure regulater on Amazon I ordered it Wednesday it was in my box Friday
April 18, 2021 — 6:28 am