2001 Ford Escape Fuel Pressure

Fuel pumps must not run with just the ignition switch on. To do so would create a serious fire hazard if a fuel line got ruptured in a crash. They will run for about one second when the ignition switch is turned on to insure pressure is up for starting, but after that, they only run when the Engine Computer sees engine rotation, (cranking or running).

The clue you need to address is the immediate loss of pressure after that one-second spurt. That pressure can be expected to hold for weeks on some cars, but at least a few minutes on all cars. Even with a leaking fuel injector, it will take some time to lose all pressure. To be lost instantly, the most likely suspect is a leaking fuel pressure regulator or the o-ring on its nipple. I think your regulator is on the fuel rail on the engine. If it is, there will be a fuel return hose going back to the tank. Use a pinch-off pliers to pinch that hose. If pressure holds, the regulator is leaking or the o-ring is cut. That loss of pressure will cause a long crank time to start the engine. The injectors are bleeding off pressure while it's trying to build up, and the battery voltage is drawn down during cranking so the fuel pump runs slower than normal.

I think it's just a difference in terminology. What they refer to as a damper looks exactly like a regulator. It could be on the fuel pump assembly but from the picture it looks like there's a second port for a return line. That could be a vapor recovery port too.

If that is part of the pump assembly, did it get replaced as part of it or did you replace just the pump and motor and install them into the housing?

What do you mean "trouble"? This is what we're here for.

You have three places fuel pressure can be lost. One is the check valve in the pump. That's relatively rare and you're eliminated that already. Most common is the regulator and o-ring. I mean this is most common for a sudden loss of pressure like you have. For pressure loss that takes up to a minute, suspect a leaking injector. To identify that, you can pull them out with the fuel rail, then watch them when you cycle the ignition switch, or you may be able to pinch the supply hose if it's not made of hard rubber. With the hose pinched, pressure will be maintained in the hose, then when you release the pinch, you'll see the pressure gauge pop up a little, then go back to "0".