fuel system

The fuel pressure regulator is on the fuel rail on the engine. It has a small vacuum hose going to it.

On the 2.5 V6 they don't use a pressure regulator. They use a pressure sensor attached to the fuel rail under the intake manifold. It sends information to the fuel pump control module (behind the rear drivers side interior panel below the speaker) which then controls fuel pressure by altering the speed of the fuel pumps motor.

Because of the way these systems operate you can't just toss a pressure gauge on them and say "yep low pressure, bad fuel pump". You need to connect a good scan tool to the system then command the pump on and to run at a specific speed and watch the pressure sensor and a pressure gauge.

Thanks Steve. There's a regulator listed for this engine too, part # F73Z9C968AA, as well as the pressure sensor you pointed out. Not sure if they use both in all applications, but they sure seem to come up with a pile of variations. They must have found a solution where there was no problem.

It looks like they used both return and returnless systems depending on VIN and build date. Return systems use a regulator, returnless use a sensor.
If it uses the regulator it's buried under the intake.

Sorry about the confusion.

It's not your fault. Ford is famous for making major mid-year changes. Too bad we don't have it as easy as doctors. They only have to learn two models, in varying sizes.

I can't think of any of them that haven't pulled that crap. I love needing a build date just to order parts...

I mentioned that to my doctor once. He wasn't amused...