Plugs, cap, rotor and wires fine. I hooked up a fuel pressure gauge and I got 20 psi with just the key on I got 30 PSI while running and it actually went up as I stepped on the gas. Now, what I'm getting is that no matter if it's at normal operating temperature or not when I quickly press the accelerator it stumbles and hesitates and when I put it in either reverse or drive and press the gas it stumbles and hesitates and then after I release the gas it stalls. I think it may be boiling down to timing, EGR valve/port servicing or torque converter clutch issues.

 

30 psi is on the low end for the specification. The fuel pressure should be 38-46 psi with the vacuum hose disconnected from the fuel pressure regulator. If you pull a vacuum on the fuel pressure regulator, the fuel pressure should be 30-37 psi.

Have you ever changed the fuel filter?

 

Yes, fuel filter has been changed about a month ago

 

Hooked up my fuel pressure gauge again to make sure that I was getting 30 PSI and I was. According to the Haynes manual I have the pressure with the regulator vacuum hose attached should be 35 - 37 PSI and with the vacuum hose disconnected it should be 35 to 41 PSI.Next I removed the vacuum hose from the fuel pressure regulator and the fuel pressure went up but still under standard. I have a good strong vacuum from the motor because I hooked up a vacuum gauge and it read as being a normal motor in operation. Then I took my mightyvac and applied a manual vacuum to the fuel pressure regulator and the pressure decreased. Finally I crimped the fuel return hose with a pair of pliers several times and each time the fuel pressure rose sharply indicating a bad fuel pressure regulator. So I replaced the fuel pressure regulator with one I got out of the junkyard and at first when I started the car get registered 36 PSI and that was even with the fuel leaking from the access port. I thought I had it fixed and then the car began to stumble again so I reattach my fuel pressure gauge and now it's reading 30 PSI again and I crimped the fuel return hose and it Rose sharply again every time so I'm thinking that either I have another bad fuel pressure regulator or I'm just flat out doing something wrong.

 

Also wanted to mention that the fuel pressure gauge actually shows the fuel pressure pulsating back and forth from 30 to 20 psi

 

Does the pressure show those same pulsations with both FPRs?

 

Don't know if it did with the last one I installed, I'll check and see but if it does what is that an indication of?

 

If the pulsation happens with both fuel pressure regulators, then the problem is not likely with the FPR.

 

Check all vacuum lines and rubber end caps for dead end vacuum lines for deterioration and cracks. I had one in last year with idle issues and stalling at stops. After checking all the lines it ended up being a crack on a dead end rubber cap. 5 cents for the part and problem solved. Not that this is your issue but it is a must check given the symptoms. Best of luck!

 

I drained the gas tank today and the gas was the same color as Coca Cola and the smell was not quite as strong as it should be. Before I do anything else I'm going to try and clean the tank by adding some fuel in it and letting it set or maybe putting some lacquer thinner in it and letting it set a while and then drain it, then add fresh fuel to it to wash out the laquer thinner and not start the car until I'm done. Any suggestions?