Need Advice on Fuel Injectors

Discussion in 'The Guru's Pub' started by The_Fool, May 16, 2013.

  1. The_Fool

    The_Fool Maha Guru

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    My vehicle is a quad-cab 2000 Dodge Dakota 4.7L V8, 4x4. It has nearly 220k miles on it. On occasion when starting the engine when the engine is already warm cylinder 2 will misfire for a while, a check engine light comes up with an OBD code of P0202 (cylinder 2 injector circuit malfunction), and eventually goes away after driving down the road a bit. It doesn't do it every time, either.

    I took a resistance reading with a multimeter of that fuel injector and got 15.7Ω. But, the service manual for my truck says the resistance of the fuel injectors should be 12Ω with a tolerance of 1.2Ω (10%). I also checked the resistance of a few other fuel injectors. Cylinder 8 injector is at 17.5Ω, cylinder 6 injector is at 14Ω, and cylinder 1 injector is at 19.2Ω.

    Last year I got a couple OBD codes randomly for the injector circuit malfunction on cylinder 1 and 8. I'm thinking that most, if not all of these injectors are out of spec and should probably be replaced soon. The other cylinders are harder to check the resistances on since they're a bit buried under stuff.

    Here is my question. Would it be wise for me to replace all the injectors at one time? They look pretty old and are most likely stock. It wouldn't surprise me if they have some deposit buildup as well which may contribute to the resistance problem. While the misfires are rare, I can eventually reproduce it with frequent stopping and starting of the engine while it is warm. I'm thinking if I replace them all now, even though it's more expensive in the short term, it's less work in the future.
     
  2. Estima8tor

    Estima8tor Guest

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    I don't believe it's necessary to replace all of the injectors at the same time. I had one injector replaced on my Honda CRX and the mechanic just cleaned the other injectors.
     
  3. IcE

    IcE Don Snow

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    It's generally better just to rip them all out and put all new ones in. With a vehicle that old, buildup is likely becoming a problem for several of them. The misfire in your #2 doesn't necessarily have to be from buildup either, it could just be the injector is malfunctioning due to age and wear. Just replace them all. Saves you on labor costs (or time costs if you do it yourself).
     
  4. The_Fool

    The_Fool Maha Guru

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    I decided that I will clean them first. If they cause an issue again in the near future then I will replace them.
     

  5. airbud7

    airbud7 Guest

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    yea^...and if you can, number them and put suspected(bad)injector up front(easy access )........
     
  6. ground_zero298

    ground_zero298 Master Guru

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    Personally I'd buy 8 new ones off ebay for $80-$150 and change them all. Even if you spend the time to clean them you would still need the flow rates checked in case you have a bad tip on one.

    If you do get the new ones, just get the same size. No need to spend the money for bigger injectors, you won't see any gain off a stock tune and fuel pump. Will probably get worse mpg also.

    If you have to pull a fuel rail, might as well change them all, make sure they all come with new O rings too. Be easy with the fuel rail bolts, take your time and spray them if you get any resistance taking them out.
     
  7. sykozis

    sykozis Ancient Guru

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    Generally, replacing a single injector isn't an issue. Given the age/mileage though, you're better off replacing all of them.

    I recommend Vaseline for installing injectors...works quite well.

    Before replacing injectors....try my little trick. Pickup a bottle of Safeguard Ethanol fuel conditioner and stabilizer from your local parts store. I recommend the 16oz bottle. Add to gas tank in accordance with the label (or as close as you can, a little extra won't hurt anything though). Burn the entire tank prior to refilling. See if the condition continues.

    Safeguard™ Ethanol Fuel Conditioner with Stabilizers by Lucas Oil Products Inc.
     
  8. scheherazade

    scheherazade Ancient Guru

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    As an unrelated matter...

    If you were running high compression or high boost, and you injected too little fuel, you'd prolly get some big knock and break your ring lands, or bend some rods.

    Doesn't really apply to you, just worth mentioning as general knowledge for whoever might not know.

    Fortunately the newer gasoline motors are DI, so for them I think it might not actually matter, depending on when the fuel is injected.

    -scheherazade
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2013
  9. mmicrosysm

    mmicrosysm Guest

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    ...or Seafoam http://www.seafoamsales.com/sea-foam-motor-treatment/

    This stuff stopped my Check Engine issues. I was getting P0161 and P0158 codes every other day starting at the end of Winter. Started adding this to my tank for the last 4 fill-ups and no more Check Engine codes. The first tank fill I had one Check Engine light but the last 3 fill-ups I've had none and my fuel economy has improved to boot by at least 3MPG :)

    (P0161 and P0158 on a 1997 Suburban is a issue with the Bank 2 O2 Censor behind the Cat on the passenger side.)
     
  10. erocker

    erocker Guest

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    Don't bother cleaning your injectors with crap you dump into your gas tank. Use stuff that you hook directly into your fuel-rail. You will probably want to have a shop do it, since the kit can be a bit pricey.

    With over 200,000 miles on a gas engine, it may just be a good idea to replace all of the injectors, especially since most of them seem to be wearing out.
     

  11. The_Fool

    The_Fool Maha Guru

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    I pulled them out and cleaned them. I also moved that suspect injector to a different cylinder to make sure it's that injector causing the problem. If it happens again I'll replace them. Oreilly Auto Parts has BWD fuel injectors for $63 each.
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2013
  12. IcE

    IcE Don Snow

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    Yeah, gas tank added fuel system cleaners don't do a damn thing in my experience. But what you've done is acceptable, since you cleaned them by hand.
     
  13. sykozis

    sykozis Ancient Guru

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    @The Fool - cleaning by hand is great for getting the exterior of the tip clean but does nothing for getting the buildup (if any) inside the injectors out.

    The crap requiring a contraption that hooks directly into the fuel rail can damage injectors. It can also damage catalytic converters. Most injectors come with a Teflon coating. The fuel injector cleaners that are introduced through the fuel rail have a tendency to remove that coating, resulting in more problems later. Those chemicals also cause the catalytic converters to heat up more than they're designed to, which can result in damage.

    The chemical I recommended, I know for a fact works as advertised when used as directed. I don't recommend chemicals I haven't personally tested and verified the effectiveness and safety of.

    I have 2 scooters, a lawnmower and a car sitting here, that say you're wrong....
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2013
  14. IcE

    IcE Don Snow

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    And I have two cars that say I'm right, what's your point? I said "in my experience" for a reason. Injectors tend to fail around the same time buildup becomes an actual problem, so you're just prolonging the inevitable (or doing nothing) when you use stuff like that. Also, carbon residue buildup primarily appears around the tip. Internal should be negligible.
     
  15. The_Fool

    The_Fool Maha Guru

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    Well, after moving that injector it still acted up in the different cylinder. Even if cleaning things didn't help, now I know for certain it's an injector issue. I'll buy eight new injectors tomorrow and install them.

    I'll tell you what, I'd much rather work on computer hardware all day instead of engines.
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2013

  16. airbud7

    airbud7 Guest

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    confirmed diagnosis :thumbup:
     
  17. sykozis

    sykozis Ancient Guru

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    If you had said "most", then you'd be right. In total I've found 2, out of the dozen gas treatments that I've tested, that actually work. Lucas Oil's Safeguard Ethanol Fuel Conditioner and Chevron's Fuel System cleaner with Techron.

    Internal is not negligible. Most "fuel injector cleaners" remove the Teflon coating that's found inside fuel injectors. That Teflon coating serves 3 purposes. It provides an internal lubricant for the injector, an anti-corrosion coating as well as preventing particle buildup on the nozzle. Chevron's Techron additive actually supplements the Teflon coating while removing corrosion buildup inside the injectors.

    Basically, if you don't have a problem...benefits from using such fuel system cleaners won't be noticeable.

    Lucas Oil's Safeguard Ethanol Fuel Conditioner serves 2 purposes. It stabilizes ethanol blended fuels to prevent separation/gelling and serves as an anti-corrosive.

    I have personally tested both on several dozens of vehicles and know for a fact that they both work. I didn't just pour them into my own vehicles and start making claims without understanding exactly how they work and what it is that they do. I have actually seen first hand what they can do when used properly. I've even seen the effects of the fuel injector cleaners that erocker suggested and can tell you that none of the auto makers actually support the use of such cleaners stating that they can cause premature injector failure as well as premature failure of catalytic converters (for cars that have them, obviously). I've even replaced injectors and catalytic converters as a result of such cleaners.
     
    Last edited: May 19, 2013
  18. thatguy91

    thatguy91 Guest

    Before changing over your injectors with new ones, fill up, put in a polyetheramine based fuel cleaner, drive it down until you are low on fuel (not so it runs out, that would be bad!), then replace the injectors (before refueling). You will also want to change the fuel filter at the same time. The reason why you do this is to remove any loose gunk in the fuel lines and fuel tank, so you don't accidentally clog the new injectors.
     
  19. Loophole35

    Loophole35 Guest

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    Cleaning does nothing for the electro-magnetic coil that actuates the pin valve in the injectors if the resistance is out of spec there are two possible problems out of spec injector or the battery in your ohm meter may be dying ( trust me that will cause some odd readings).
     
  20. airbud7

    airbud7 Guest

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    Hmm...that sounds logical^
     

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