Injectors - New Nozzles or Clean and Balance?
 

Just curious what the pros/cons would be of either putting new nozzles on my injectors versus cleaning and balancing the ones already in there. What criteria or condition would the older nozzles need to be in in order to decide on new nozzles? Also will new nozzles need to be tested and balanced?

thanks!

First thing to do is take them to a injector shop and have them pop and spray tested. They may be fine and up to specs as is and need nothing. They may just need to be balanced and not need new nozzles.


From what I have gleaned here the criteria for new nozzles is if the spray pattern is bad and cleaning doesnt help.

dd

Maybe a stupid question question but how do you balance the injectors.
Thanks

Is done by using different sized shims (washer) to adjust the tension on the spring and thereby the pop pressure.

thats what I thought, thanks

every oh 60k put new injectors in. you will never cuss out your engine for hard starting or white/black smoke again.

every 60K huh? i guess at 260K i am overdue. actually i think they were cleaned at around 200K, not wholly replaced. i could use a reduction of the white smoke variety.

What's next? Replace injectors every 30K miles?:eek::P I used to read that one should replace injectors every 100K and I thought even that was a pretty crazy idea. GreenMedallion, ignore that last post and do what was said earlier, that is if in doubt check the spray pattern and pop pressure of your injectors and only replace/adjust if necessary. Replacing the nozzle more often than necessary is at best a waste of money and material, and at worst it can cause engine damage if you happen to get a bad new nozzle and you don't catch it before installation (the new India-made nozzles are not always good).

To reduce smoke, try the easy stuff first... things like fuel injector cleaners and valve adjustment.

Read the section in the factory shop manual about your injectors.

You can't pay someone to properly clean them unless they didn't really need cleaning. If you read the book you will probably understand this statement. You will get more bad advice on injectors than almost any other topic. Search for the word pintle if you want to read more.

A user here named Beagle posted the best information you will probably find.