Is it the fuel pressure regulator valve?

Maintenance/Repairs
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2004 Camry 4-cyl (2AZ-FE). 163K miles. (In great, well-maintained condition, but parts are starting to wear out.)

Symptom: When starting the engine, it cranks fine, but is taking longer and longer to start. If I shut off and restart, it catches quickly. When starting after a long shut-down, if I wait a bit with key “ON”, engine starts promptly when I turn key to “START”.

My diagnosis: A failing check valve that is supposed to keep the fuel rail pressurized when the fuel pump is not running (i.e., engine off).

Question 1a: Is that right?
Question 1b: Is that what Toyota is calling the Fuel Pressure Regulator Valve?

Question 2: Is there any issue other than inconvenience (waiting for fuel rail to pressurize)? That is, if I don’t fix it will it cause something else to fail?

Question 3: What I’ve found online so far indicates that this part is inside the fuel tank. Does the tank have to be removed to replace that valve, or is there a hatch I have not found yet? (Where; under rear seat?)

Question 4: If it is a big deal to replace the valve, should the fuel pump be replaced as long as we’re in there?

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Q1a: More likely the fuel pump is the issue. Test it further by doing the key-dance… Turn to on but not start, turn off, repeat 2-3 times. If it starts right up, that is further proof. You may also have a fuel injector sticking open letting the fuel pressure drop.

Q2: It is harder on your 22 year old fuel pump which isn’t long for scrap heap.

Q3: Yes it is in the fuel tanks as part of the entire fuel pump and sender assembly. There is, I think, a hatch under the back seat.

Q4: Yes, replace both or the whole thing. Either replace the entire fuel pump and regulator fuel pump assembly time or you can replace the regulator and pump separately… But a 22 year old plastic assembly is very likely to break coming out…

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Ugh! (The cost of maintaining a 20-yr-old car.) The videos I found recommend replacing the strainer sock along with the pump. They do not mention the regulator valve. Should it be replaced, too?

I think I’ll not do this myself. Do I ask the shop to do a diagnosis, or do I tell them what I think is wrong?

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You ask the shop for a diagnosis. Tell them your experieces but let them find the problem. It might not be what you or I think it is. Hands on, eyes on and ears on by a mechanic is best.

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Several pump options on rockauto include the sock. Me, I’d get one of those kits and replace it, if I can do it without dropping the tank. As for the regulator, that’s up to you, it’s probably easy to replace once you have the entire assembly out of the tank. But wanting to avoid dealing with the gas tank and fumes (fire/explosion risk) is ENTIRELY understandable.

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Heading for a mechanic right now. Twenty years ago I’d have tried to do it myself. Now, I don’t have the energy to run around and get parts and then do the job. And if I mess something up I’m stuck with no car. I’m not happy about it, but I feel wiser.

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Tester

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Way cheaper than a new car payment and the much higher insurance premiums that go along with that.

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If this is an overnight starting issue, then you will need to leave the vehicle over night…

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Other things can cause a loss of pressure such as a sticky injector.

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The shop might do a fuel pressure hold test before deciding what needs replacing. Letting a shop handle fuel system problems makes a lot of sense. Toyota’s fuel injection system is very well designed & for my own early 90’s Corolla has been pretty much bullet-proof, but it still isn’t perfect. Fuel system work presents dangers that are best left to the pros except for intrepid diy’ers.

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Of course, when went to take it to the mechanic the engine fired up right away. The mechanic checked the pressure. It was OK, and did not bleed down for about an hour.

I realize that one hour is not a full test. We’ll see what happens in the morning and over the next day or two.

(The mechanic did suggest a “Fuel Induction Service”. I’m skeptical about that.)

Thanks for the advice (maybe “so far”). The video that Tester linked is better than the one I found; makes the job look even simpler.

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Do you notice any unusual amounts of black smoke out the tailpipe on start-up after car has been sitting for a few hours?

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Not always, I traded my 2011 4x4 Ford Ranger in for a 2023 4x4 Toyota Tacoma, My insurance went down $50 a month.

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This is an '04 Camry. Not really comparable to an '11 model year. On either your Ford or your Toyo I’d carry comprehensive. On an '04? Liability only. I also didn’t mention the difference if in a state (like VA) with personal property tax as it might not be relevant.

Minor point in either case. Right now the OP has no car payment.