Pulsation Dampener (PD) Replacement

brycerxer · 02-26-2010, 05:46 PM

I've been doing a whole lot of reading and searching (even in the FSM) for info on the replacement of the PD on the primary fuel rail. There is a whole lot of discussion about banjo bolts etc, but nothing about the actual replacement. Being a novice mechanic at best, here's what I'd like to know: 1) Do I need to remove any other parts to do it? It looks like I just loosen it with an open ended wrench and replace it -is it that simple? 2) Can I just tighten that little phillips head screw that comes loose and leaks for a temporary fix in order to drive it twelve miles home?

Do any of you have experience with this? Any help would be much appreciated.

brycerxer · 02-26-2010, 05:57 PM

Here's a quick backstory: I've had the car for over a year now and just recently covered some repairs that made me feel more comfortable driving it more often (coolant flush, new T-stat, new idler arm bushing). I drove it 24 miles to work and back Monday and Tuesday then to work on Wednesday -no problems. At work I drove a couple blocks to get something to eat, noticed a strong smell of fuel, shut it off, popped the hood and sure enough there was fuel leaking from the area of the intake/fuel rail. Enough to begin pooling on top of the engine a bit and dripping on the ground. I know I'm lucky I didn't have an engine fire. So I got online and started searching and everything pointed to the PD, so I ordered one from Mazdatrix (deciding against the banjo bolt fix), but I don't expect it till next week. (I'm not really even 100% sure that the leak is at the PD). I really don't want to leave my car parked at work over the weekend, but don't really want to pay to have it towed either. So, that's why I'm wondering if I could tighten that little phillips head screw and drive it 12 miles home. Also, I want to know what is involved in the replacement when the part does come in, so I would know if it could be done in the parking lot at work fairly easily. Again, thanks for any info/advice you could offer.

Rogue_Wulff · 03-01-2010, 10:27 AM

Personally, I wouldn't drive any vehicle with a known fuel leak, especially on top of the engine, even around the block.

I can't speak as to the replacement proceedure, as my SE was converted to carb before I got it.

j_tso · 03-01-2010, 11:56 AM

You're gonna have to remove the upper intake manifold, which means disconnecting everything to it and the throttle body. The PD itself may be pretty stuck to the fuel rail, so be prepared to yell at it. And please be careful when taking off the fuel rail, there's still gonna be some pressure in the fuel lines.

Ender · 03-01-2010, 03:47 PM

Try not to crank too hard on the rails, you'll really be screwed if you bend one or God forbid bust a bolt off on top of the block, or an injector... I'd remove the whole rail and take the PD off with it out of the car. Make sure you use proper sized FUEL line clamps, the ones that don't have a bunch of little slits for the screw to tighten/loosen. I had an engine fire because I used the wrong type and it didn't seal right.

I've used a banjo bolt for at least a year instead of the PD and I've had no apparent problems... Also, as soon as the upper intake manifold is off put clean rags in the ports so you don't drop parts down them. Then you'd really be pissed off.

kenn_chan · 03-16-2010, 09:01 AM

Subaru WRX any bug eye, blob eye, hawk eye with the Ej20 turbo has an inline pulsation dampner that you could easily use on any fuel system....this is good if you want to keep a PD but are using aftermarket fuel rails etc.

kenn

rx4ur7 · 03-22-2010, 11:34 AM

You can put the screw back in. I have done it on many. Most have gone years without a problem. Replace the oring if you can. Also put a drop of locktite on the threads.

It can be replaced without removing manifold. Although somewhat easier if it is moved.

02-26-2010, 05:46 PM	#1
brycerxer The Newbie Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ iTrader: (0) Posts: 22 Rep Power: 0	Pulsation Dampener (PD) Replacement I've been doing a whole lot of reading and searching (even in the FSM) for info on the replacement of the PD on the primary fuel rail. There is a whole lot of discussion about banjo bolts etc, but nothing about the actual replacement. Being a novice mechanic at best, here's what I'd like to know: 1) Do I need to remove any other parts to do it? It looks like I just loosen it with an open ended wrench and replace it -is it that simple? 2) Can I just tighten that little phillips head screw that comes loose and leaks for a temporary fix in order to drive it twelve miles home? Do any of you have experience with this? Any help would be much appreciated. __________________ *'85 RX-7 GSL-SE* Current Driver *'85 RX-7 GS* Current project *'84 RX-7* Parts car-SOLD *'91 RX-7 VERT* SOLD Last edited by brycerxer; 02-26-2010 at 05:57 PM..

02-26-2010, 05:57 PM	#2
brycerxer The Newbie Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ iTrader: (0) Posts: 22 Rep Power: 0	Here's a quick backstory: I've had the car for over a year now and just recently covered some repairs that made me feel more comfortable driving it more often (coolant flush, new T-stat, new idler arm bushing). I drove it 24 miles to work and back Monday and Tuesday then to work on Wednesday -no problems. At work I drove a couple blocks to get something to eat, noticed a strong smell of fuel, shut it off, popped the hood and sure enough there was fuel leaking from the area of the intake/fuel rail. Enough to begin pooling on top of the engine a bit and dripping on the ground. I know I'm lucky I didn't have an engine fire. So I got online and started searching and everything pointed to the PD, so I ordered one from Mazdatrix (deciding against the banjo bolt fix), but I don't expect it till next week. (I'm not really even 100% sure that the leak is at the PD). I really don't want to leave my car parked at work over the weekend, but don't really want to pay to have it towed either. So, that's why I'm wondering if I could tighten that little phillips head screw and drive it 12 miles home. Also, I want to know what is involved in the replacement when the part does come in, so I would know if it could be done in the parking lot at work fairly easily. Again, thanks for any info/advice you could offer. __________________ *'85 RX-7 GSL-SE* Current Driver *'85 RX-7 GS* Current project *'84 RX-7* Parts car-SOLD *'91 RX-7 VERT* SOLD Last edited by brycerxer; 02-26-2010 at 06:01 PM..

03-01-2010, 10:27 AM	#3
Rogue_Wulff Non Member Join Date: Jun 2008 iTrader: (0) Posts: 310 Rep Power: 17	Personally, I wouldn't drive any vehicle with a known fuel leak, especially on top of the engine, even around the block. I can't speak as to the replacement proceedure, as my SE was converted to carb before I got it.

03-01-2010, 11:56 AM	#4
j_tso Rotary Fan in Training Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0) Posts: 65 Rep Power: 17	You're gonna have to remove the upper intake manifold, which means disconnecting everything to it and the throttle body. The PD itself may be pretty stuck to the fuel rail, so be prepared to yell at it. And please be careful when taking off the fuel rail, there's still gonna be some pressure in the fuel lines.

03-16-2010, 09:01 AM	#6
kenn_chan The Newbie Join Date: Jan 2010 iTrader: (0) Posts: 7 Rep Power: 0	Subaru WRX any bug eye, blob eye, hawk eye with the Ej20 turbo has an inline pulsation dampner that you could easily use on any fuel system....this is good if you want to keep a PD but are using aftermarket fuel rails etc. kenn

03-22-2010, 11:34 AM	#7
rx4ur7 Rotary since 1972 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tucson iTrader: (0) Posts: 231 Rep Power: 16	You can put the screw back in. I have done it on many. Most have gone years without a problem. Replace the oring if you can. Also put a drop of locktite on the threads. It can be replaced without removing manifold. Although somewhat easier if it is moved.