Symptoms of a failing Fuel Pressure Regulator

Check engine warning light

Look, I get it. The check engine light is small and unassuming, and your car is driving fine, so what could possibly be wrong? Well, for starters, your fuel pressure regulator could need replacing. If your fuel pressure regulator is calling in sick, your engine will be getting a weird amount of fuel, and that will likely lead the check engine light coming on.

Poor engine performance

If you're going to ignore the check engine light, at least don’t ignore engine performance. Especially if your fuel pressure regulator isn’t working. You’ll notice an engine that isn’t quite right. You may have a loss of power, as well as some hesitation and jerkiness. You’ll also likely experience a decrease in fuel efficiency.

Car won’t start

Fun fact: If your car won’t turn on, there’s probably something wrong with it. Often times a busted fuel pressure regulator will mean that your car isn’t getting enough fuel. That can lead to the car stalling when you’re idling. It’ll be like that one time you tried to learn how to drive a stick shift. Worse yet, it can lead to the car not turning on at all, which makes it a little difficult to drive.

Dark smoke from the exhaust

If you’ve seen a lot of cars in your life, you should be fairly familiar with what exhaust smoke looks like. If your car has exhaust smoke that looks irregular...well, it's time to put two and two together. A malfunctioning fuel pressure regulator will upset your engine, and that will often result in very dark plumes of exhaust from your tail pipes.