At 145k miles or so, I am now in the midst of having my stock injectors cleaned. Since the fuel rail is out, I am wondering if I should replace the fuel pressure regulator while I am there. The exterior bits of the original FPR are a bit rusty.

I looked at the price of a genuine MINI regulator (~$150) and for a Delphi regulator (~ $100) for this rather simple part. I suspect there isn’t any magic here to justify these prices.

There are other aftermarket 3.5 Bar regulators that run in the $40 range like those sold by Beck/Arnley, Or others that look like they have the same form factor for like $12. Considering this is not a complicated part, I am thinking that I can probably get by with something like that here. Thoughts? Anyone have any experience to share?

 

If it's any help, I purchased this replacement part for my 2006 MCS R52 from Pelican Parts for about $90 around 12 months ago. Think it might be a genuine Mini part. It's been solid every since.

https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_In...cB&ByPassCat=Y

I put in upgraded 380 fuel injectors, and busted the fuel regulator, fuel sprayed all over. Easy install.

Good luck.
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Interestingly, my local dealer’s online store seemingly has the lowest price on the MINI branded part.

How did you manage to break the Fuel Injection Pressure regulator during installation?

Anyone know how to test the regulator out of the car?

I got the old regulator out without issue. I was able to clean it up somewhat. I am just trying to decide whether to replace or not. It seems like every project on this car can easily get expensive, and faster than a modded and tuned JCW R53 at that.

 

BTW, according to Beck/Arnley, their part number 1591078 is erroneously listed for use in an R53; they say that part number is actually for an R50, and that they do not currently offer a product for R53 application.

 

This was earlier on in my rebuild process. I think it might have just been the o-ring or the metal spring clasp didn't hold. But after reassembling the fuel rail, I ran it and traced the fuel leak to the pressure regulator. I'm talking about a good deal a fuel spraying out. I have 116k miles on the car, so I figured most parts are getting to end of life and also safety first.
In hindsight, I may have been able to salvage the part.

 

Haven't seen many cases of them failing on this board at any mileage. Would just make sure the o-ring is still good (or replace it) if/when you re-install yours.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-victor-r...531720251~vic/
If you do decide to replace would not mess around with $12 cheapies. Get the Delphi / OEM and be done with it. Simple design as you say but it still requires quality materials and construction, both of which are notoriously lacking in knock off tier offerings.

Might also consider repacing the vacuum line (item 13 below) that goes to the underside of the supercharger discharge horn. Those like to fall off at the other end, creating rough running issues and throwing codes.
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=13_0978


At only 71K on the dial on my car, I keep a new fuel pressure regulator in my 'just-in-case' road trip spares kit but plan to run with the factree one for now.

Side note - usually it's the fuel pump that leaves you stranded; most die somewhere north of 100K. At 145K, would consider its preemptive replacement with a VDO/Continental (the OEM). Not cheap but anything less than OEM quality is a risk; invest the money and you'll likely never have to replace it again. Best price I've found so far (watch the shipping though):

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...assembly,10147

 

I plan to have a good look at that vacuum line, and if I don’t replace the fuel injection pressure regulator, then I will be replacing both of its o-rings. Looks line one of them might be a little elusive to find.

I don’t have my records in front of me, but sometime between about 80k - 100k miles, I replaced the fuel filter in an effort to prolong the life of the pump. (I followed Eurothrasher’s write up here.)I do plan on checking the fuel pump current as per the Bentley manual to help assess pump condition at this time. I also plan to measure its fuel delivery rate. If those are good then I will leave the pump alone.

I do have a friend with an ‘04 JCW, 200k+ miles, still on its original pump.

 

BTW, I want to address this a little further. There is truth in what you say about knock-off offerings. I once purchased a molded rubber cheapie product for another part of my R53, only to have to return it for terrible fit. So I totally get what you are saying.

But I do think there may be a distinction for a part such as the fuel injection pressure regulator, which is why I posted the question. For instance, Standard Motor Products makes one—not a cheapie, but at a lower price point than Delphi— that apparently fits, and they do have a history of producing quality products. And there is also the possibility that some “off-brand” rebadges the Delphi part. I am hopeful that someone here has tried a lower priced product to inform us of how it worked out.

Is it telling that none of the specialist vendors offer anything outside of MINI and Delphi for this part? Maybe. And maybe they could chime in…

I do think this is good advice.

 

it could just be that not many make and sell the part profitably other than the OEM which is Delphi. If they don't fail all that often, and not many are routinely sold, perhaps not many aftermarket manufacturers are willing to invest in the tooling to compete at the same (or lower) price point, not sure.

On the vacuum line, you can also replace the one end with commonly found items at your parts store's 'Help' section (Dorman) or replace the whole thing with a regular piece of vacuum hose. I did the former, but still bought a spare line for the road kit. Just need to make sure the vacuum signal reaches the regulator for it to work.

 

I ordered the Genuine Mini FPR, though I kind of wish I had tried the Standard Motor Parts version just for the data point.

Tried to have a look at the FPR vacuum pipe as best as I can with it still installed. Any hints on the easiest way to remove/install it without causing damage?

 

According to theBentley Manual, the MCS Fuel Pressure regulator is specified to operate at 50 +/- 3 PSI. I connected a fuel pressure gauge to the Schrader valve at the end of the fuel rail, and tested both the original fuel pressure regulator and the replacement Genuine MINI fuel pressure regulator I bought from the dealer.

The fuel pressure at the rail with the original fuel pressure regulator was 52 PSI (Key On, Engine Off). After turning the key off, I timed how long it took for pressure to drop out of the spec. Bentley calls out. It took eight minutes for the fuel pressure to drop below 47 PSI.

The fuel pressure at the rail with the replacement Genuine MINI part was 45 PSI (Key On, Engine Off). This is out of the Bentley reported spec. After turning the key off, It held 45 PSI for at least 20 minutes.

I notice that the latest part superseded the one that was originally in my car. Does anyone know if the regulating pressure is still 50 PSI? Did I buy a dud from MINI?

 

There is a regulator in the filter basket as well. Fwiw

 

This sounds like you got the Justa regulator, which should maintain a pressure of 43 +/- 3 PSI (so 45 is well within that spec) instead of the MCS one.
Maybe that error on another site you talked about earlier is actually spread out across all sellers?

 

The Bentley Manual (p. 16-4, Fuel Supply) says the (right side) in-tank pressure regulator is at 50 PSI (3.5 Bar) as well. I guess I do need to check it, to cross my t's and dot my i's. I'm having trouble finding the in-tank pressure regulator part on a 2003 MCS diagram on Real OEM. Also doing a search on vendor sites for 'fuel regulator' or 'pressure regulator' doesn't seem to turn up anything other than the regulator for the fuel rail. Weird.

I swapped the fuel pressure regulators on the rail twice to confirm the pressure numbers. Both times, the fuel pressure with the old regulator was around 50 PSI (52 once, and 50 the second time), while the fuel pressure with the new part was 45 PSI on both tries. The Bentley manual suggests verifying that the fuel pump is capable of delivering higher fuel pressure than the regulator set point. While I haven't (yet) tested the fuel pressure upstream of the fuel rail, the fact that my original fuel rail pressure regulator shows pressures around 50 PSI tells me that I do have higher fuel pressure.

 

I agree that it sounds like the regulator is regulating to Justa fuel rail pressures. Looking at vendor websites, the Justa FPR has an angled vacuum port (90 deg). The S FPR has a straight vacuum port. So it should be easy to tell the two apart at a glance.

The one I bought from MINI (p/n 13-31-8-574-131) has a straight vacuum port.

(In the picture of the Beck/Arnley part that was allegedly for the S, I noticed that it had an angled vacuum port, which is why I contacted them for clarification about part application.)

 

I've only had a "one time" experience replacing the FPR on my pre-faceift '04 R53, for no other reason than when I upgraded/installed my refurbished Siemens 380cc injectors. I don't suspect there was anything wrong with my original FPR.
You are correct. The FPR on my R53 has the vertical port/pipe; purchased from FCP (Genuine = $100 at that time). After the install I checked the pressure at the rail reading @ 54 - 56 PSI (IIRC) after reaching temp.
My fuel pressure line/pipe was in great condition. No need for concern and reused it but picked up a really good condition one at a salvage yard (for parts stash) in the event of potential future failure.
I had also changed my fuel filter for the first time (@89k mi)...I'm not experienced enough to have been aware of the other aforementioned FPR in this location but now that it has been mentioned; it has piqued my interest to further investigate.

 

Since the Genuine Mini part regulated at 45 PSI, when it should regulate at 50 PSI, I took it back to the dealer. The guy at the parts counter confirmed it was the right part number for the r53. One of their techs came out and I told him how I measured it. He told me he had no way to test the part, as they didn’t have an r53 to try it in. He also said he has never replaced the FPR. They gave the option of returning it, so I did.

I bought the Standard Motor Products regulator and installed it just now. Fuel pressure goes right to 50 PSI.

 

Did you try the Beck Arnley unit ?
I'm trying to determine if it fits, some sites say yes other are more vauge.

Thanks