My MBZ is at the indy mech right now getting her overdue major tune-up and valve adjustment. I wanted him to inspect and clean the fuel injectors but he told me that does involve some work, pulling off the cover, etc. I want to know if the injectors have recommended inspection at such and such #K miles or am I supossed to wait till my car is symptomatic? 180 K 1985 300D turbo, W123.
I'm supposed to decide by Saturday morning. What do you think?
Thanks in advance!
Frankie

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Frankie
It never ends!
1985 300D Turbo 181K Anthracite grey, "SOPHIA"
1984 300 SD Turbo(sold)
2004 Subaru Forester XT,Cayenne red.

There's no set maintenance interval for the injectors, but at 180K it probably wouldn't hurt to check them. Removing the injectors is easy and doesn't require the valve cover off. Checking them requires an injector tester and maybe your mechanic doesn't have it. Alternately you can pull them yourself and bring them to a diesel injection shop. But if your car runs smooth without much smoke, there's no urgent need to do this job.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

Thanks, I guess that can wait then. She does run pretty smooth and no smoking. Cheers.
F.

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Frankie
It never ends!
1985 300D Turbo 181K Anthracite grey, "SOPHIA"
1984 300 SD Turbo(sold)
2004 Subaru Forester XT,Cayenne red.

DA pretty much said it...my 85 has 311K on its injectors and the 99 has 196K. None have ever been rebuilt.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

If he's doing a valve adjustment, then I certainly hope he already has the valve cover off...

But you can quite easily pull them at any time without removing the valve cover. Just use a big socket and an enormous breaker bar, and when you put them back on make sure they're torqued correctly. You'll also need to replace the fuel return line (the cloth and rubber tube that goes from injector to injector), but that's quite inexpensive.

If they have never been inspected, then 180k is a reasonable time to do so; but, again, they can easily be done at any time, independent of other maintenance.

Thanks. I probably would need to take it back to my mechanic if the time comes. I don't know how to torque correctly. I suppose that dirty injectors have lots of build up on them and I would notice more symptoms. I'm still getting to know my car. Like they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
F.

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Frankie
It never ends!
1985 300D Turbo 181K Anthracite grey, "SOPHIA"
1984 300 SD Turbo(sold)
2004 Subaru Forester XT,Cayenne red.

AFAIK, my engine (369K miles) has only had one injector replaced, when it started nailing, about 150K miles ago. The last time I asked my indy if I should do something with them, he basically said he would leave them alone unless they were acting up.

If you pull the injectors, make sure you replace the heat shields, they are one time use affairs. Fuel lines as well. Will do a compression test soon, on the '82, if okay, will have the injectors checked. Anywhere that caters to the mechanical aspect of the trucking industry should be able to test.

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83 SD

84 CD

Whats a reasonable price on an injector test and maybe cleaning?

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1985 300D, 237k.
1994 F-350, 6.9 diesel, 5 spd manual, Banks Turbo. 261k.
Sold: 1985 300CD- 267K

I've heard $10 a pop. Check only. Cleaning needs special tools, and more time, = mo money. Will find out Monday, as I have five that I'm gonna see if I have a problem with. Tried to do a compression check today, failed, thinking my tester has difficulties, seriously dissapointed. Removed rack as a whole. Used 1/2 inch drive on the 1 1/16 socket, and cheater bar, pretty easy really. Anyway, down to one Benz, and that one may have a slow tire leak.

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83 SD

84 CD

Craig-
Mine seems to have a rapping sound or nailing as you call it. It sounds lighter than nailing and it goes away when the engine warms up. Is that the type of nailing that you speak of?
Spoke to my indy today and he is not done with her yet but told me that he will leave the injectors alone except he might adjust the injectors a little to help improve the fuel economy. Currently she gets a horrible 19-20 mpg!
How does adjusting the injectors help with fuel econo?
I provided him with Mobil 1 synthetic to replace the dino oil but I think that will help the fuel econo very very slightly. I'm using the synthetic for convenience and the cleaner effects on the engine.
F.

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Frankie
It never ends!
1985 300D Turbo 181K Anthracite grey, "SOPHIA"
1984 300 SD Turbo(sold)
2004 Subaru Forester XT,Cayenne red.

20mpg? Is your car a CA emission? The WORST I ever received was 23mpg city in my SD with piles of WOT runs when adjusting my wastegate.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Yes it is CA. emission. Is that alone a disadvantage? I know, 20mpg sucks, huh? I know others who get 25-27mpg on a 300D turbo. The indy did find one fuel hose leak but I now know there are two but not exactly where. The fuel tank "shell" has a slightly fresh fuel stain but I can't find any dents nor punctures other than scrape marks. That needs attn! What makes it diff to find is that there is no leak to ground, it evaporates.
I'm hoping and guessing that the previous torqueing on the fuel injectors were not done correctly?
Might be weeks before I find out if the mpg improves. E ven my attn span is not that good.
F.

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Frankie
It never ends!
1985 300D Turbo 181K Anthracite grey, "SOPHIA"
1984 300 SD Turbo(sold)
2004 Subaru Forester XT,Cayenne red.

That does sound like mild nailing, if it only does it when cold, you are probably OK to leave the injectors alone.

I assume he is talking about adjusting the injection timing, not the injectors, which can affect mileage. He will adjust the timing by rotating the injection pump.

Frank, my CA model gets 20 mpg city as well. Wonder if one of those trap bypassers would help. But she has a healthy idle and decent power so i dont think its an injector thing.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi