I did check out on you tube on using a smoke machine to introduce smoke into the system to find leaks, perhaps that is my next step to take

Not going to help your low fuel pressure problem. If the regulator and filter are good the pump needs to be replaced.

thank you guys for the help

Yeah, the PA at 40PSI is low. I'm suspicious that maybe the loaner gauge is flaky after many beatings, but in the end, the low fuel pressure more-than matches the symptom.