Rebuilt injectors or not? Opinions and experiences, please? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ADP · #1 04-30-2007, 07:15 PM

Ok, ok, I need some new injectors. I'm not sure how many - but lets assume in a sort of glass-half-empty-but-will-accept-a-pleasant-surprise way that I need all 8. Ack!

Now lets say I could spend about 480.00 less and just replace all 8 with rebuilt ones.

Would it be worth the 480.00 to take a risk on not new ones and is there any appreciable durability difference between the new ones and the rebuilt ones? There may also be a core charge based on my current injectors.

As for all the details on the rebuilt ones, I don't have them. They are sourced through my mechanic and I suspect that they are good quality because he wouldn't want to spend any more time taking them out and replacing them again.

Also, has anyone replaced their fuel injector wiring harness recently and where did you find it for your 4.5?

Lastly, there is a family of rabbits living under my old 4.5. Oh well, that means that there are likely not to be snakes as well!

Ann

deanyel · #2 05-01-2007, 10:33 AM

I would be hesitant to buy rebuilt injectors when you can get your own injectors rebuilt so inexpensively, and they come with a test report showing that they are operating to spec. I suppose the purchased ones could come with this as well, or a guarantee, in which case it's just a matter of price. Replacing injectors is a pretty easy DIY job.

www.cruzinperformance.com

Tomguy · #3 05-01-2007, 10:58 AM

A lot of people here have had luck with rebuilding their injectors. They are quite expensive new I see...

ADP · #4 05-01-2007, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomguy

A lot of people here have had luck with rebuilding their injectors. They are quite expensive new I see...

Quite!

Which is why the rebuilt ones are appealing if they are quality products. Sometimes though, "rebuilt" just means "will fail again and not last as long as new ones." If that is the case, its not a cost savings because you buy them twice, install them twice and put up with how much hassle they cause, twice...

Ann

Blue 72 250 · #5 05-01-2007, 01:11 PM

Does the supplier warranty them? Swapping them in the event that they fail again is still less expensive then the new alternative. I would go for the rebuilt ones if the retailer is willing to back them up.

ADP · #6 05-02-2007, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue 72 250

Does the supplier warranty them? Swapping them in the event that they fail again is still less expensive then the new alternative. I would go for the rebuilt ones if the retailer is willing to back them up.

Thats exactly my plan....

Because I can sure put that 480.00 difference into some other stuff on that car!

Ann

nhdoc · #7 05-02-2007, 07:32 AM

Witchhunter performance - Fuel Injector Service, I Recommend Them!

Mark DiSilvestro · #8 05-02-2007, 09:32 AM

My biggest gripe with new injectors is the wild variations in price. I realize there are differences in design depending on the application, but does that justify such a wide price range? Why does an injector for one model-year cost say $40, while the next model-year might be $150! Are they that different? Do some injectors have platinum tips or gold wire in the windings? (I don't think so)

Last year I put rebuilts in a friend's '87 BMW 528e, as they were half the price of new ones, which would have cost more than that car is worth. They were a pain to replace on that engine, but so far they've been performing OK.

Happy Motoring, Mark

alabbasi · #9 05-02-2007, 10:02 AM

I think I sent you this link already Parts America Part no: 57512

Have you checked them out?

ADP · #10 05-02-2007, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alabbasi

I think I sent you this link already Parts America Part no: 57512

Got it now.... but see the post above yours from Mark.

ok, I could understand the variation between models and years of cars... but why the huge varation between parts designed for the same model year?

Al sent me a link to a new Niehoff injector. Even at full retail, its like 100 bucks less than the Bosch one. And its not full retail, its really cheap.

I'm big on the cheap things aren't always good and good things aren't always cheap, philosophy of thinking. In many cases, this is certainly applicable.

But whats the difference between those Niehoffs and a rebuilt Bosch injector?

Ann

alabbasi · #11 05-02-2007, 10:19 AM

If it's the W116 between 75 and 76, MB switched from D-Jetronic to K-Jetronic. This is an entirely different system and the OE injectors for K-Jet cars cost around $30. They are basically brass nozzles with no switching.

I think the problem with D-Jet cars is that they are getting older and fewer, thus parts are getting more expensive. You can always get the specs on injector (pressure etc) and see if you could use universal injectors.

I have no idea what that would take.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark DiSilvestro

My biggest gripe with new injectors is the wild variations in price. I realize there are differences in design depending on the application, but does that justify such a wide price range? Why does an injector for one model-year cost say $40, while the next model-year might be $150! Are they that different? Do some injectors have platinum tips or gold wire in the windings? (I don't think so)

Last year I put rebuilts in a friend's '87 BMW 528e, as they were half the price of new ones, which would have cost more than that car is worth. They were a pain to replace on that engine, but so far they've been performing OK.

Happy Motoring, Mark

Mark DiSilvestro · #12 05-02-2007, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alabbasi

If it's the W116 between 75 and 76, MB switched from D-Jetronic to K-Jetronic. This is an entirely different system and the OE injectors for K-Jet cars cost around $30. They are basically brass nozzles with no switching.

I think the problem with D-Jet cars is that they are getting older and fewer, thus parts are getting more expensive. You can always get the specs on injector (pressure etc) and see if you could use universal injectors.

I have no idea what that would take.

All US-market BMW 325 and 528 have electronic fuel injection, with electrically-operated injectors. Bavarian Autosport, an aftermarket supplier of BMW parts, lists new replacement injectors for 528e models up to '87, at $120 each, while the '88 528e injector is $25 less, and the similar-engined '87 to '91 325i injector is only $55. Locally, the best price for new injectors for my friend's '87 528e was about $150. I paid $60 each for the rebuilts.
Even the new injectors I priced last year for a 97 4-cylinder Chevy S-10 pickup were over $100 each.

Happy Motoring, Mark

alabbasi · #13 05-02-2007, 01:03 PM

I think there is a switch over during this time for BMW's when they went from Bosch Jetronic to Mototronic FI . This may the the reason why there is a price difference.

Tomguy · #14 05-02-2007, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADP

Al sent me a link to a new Niehoff injector. Even at full retail, its like 100 bucks less than the Bosch one. And its not full retail, its really cheap.

A little while back those were $25. I needed one on the spot so bought one. It was in stock at AZ.
I always had 1 cylinder that ran off compared to the other 7.

Honestly, you're better off taking the injectors out of your "parts car" and having them cleaned/rebuilt with Marty's link, then installing those.
edit: Oh, I wound up 2 injectors off a junkyard car. The old injector that was sitting unused there was better than that Niehoff...

Mark DiSilvestro · #15 05-02-2007, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alabbasi

I think there is a switch over during this time for BMW's when they went from Bosch Jetronic to Mototronic FI . This may the the reason why there is a price difference.

While the injectors may be different, I'll bet there's very little difference in the cost to manufacture them, and there's something else going on with such a wide price variation.

Happy Motoring, Mark