90 Q fuel Injector coil failure

[golfbeb]

I have a 90 Q45 with 120K milesHave had fuel injector coil failure problems (open coil resistance). The first time 2 were bad, replaced with used junk yard. In a few weeks I had 5 bad, again did the junk yard thing. It happened again and I replaced with 8 new Python Injectors. I don't drive the car much, and now 3 months later I have a bad coil on injector #7.Question: Can the ECM signal be bad or has anybody experienced this problem?

[maxnix]

With no new OEM injectors utilized, I am afraid you are suffering the luck of the leftovers.

Ethanol in your gas? Tank less than full when you parked it for an extended period?

[Q45tech]

Becoming common now as states add ethanol.Since April 1 we have replaced about 20, more in <2 months than in our entire previous 13 years in ATL with non ethanol fuel.

My guess is only a few tanks are enough to take out the marginal units.

The coil doesn't open , the plastic housing swells from ethanol and rips the coil wire ends from the crimp connectors.

The ecu just grounds the injector which has a constant +12 from battery.

Ethanol will separate the poor from the rich who can afford to maintain.

[BigAlAtlanta]

So if you're in a state that adds ethanol, is there a long term solution other than planning on replacing injectors on a regular basis? My first Q had almost 300K miles on it and only had issues with 2 injectors. My replacement (93 Q) has gone through 5 this year.

I understand how the ethanol could effect the plactic housing and internal seals, but how does ethanol impact the coil. I would hope that the coil would not be in contact with the gasoline. Is the coil damaged when the housing swells due to the methanol?

[Q45tech]

The copper coil end wires are internally crimped [welded] to the 2 terminals on the injector housing. Current theory is that the swelling pulls the wire from the crimp thus opens the circuit.

An unknown is why prior to failure the resistance goes up above 14 ohms, as a [1 turn or more] short in the coil should lower the resistance.

If the copper wire was stretched [thinner] before it broke loose the resistance should increase?

Just adds $1300 [+ labor] per year [?] or period to the cost of early Q ownership. Think of it as a FUEL TAX.

We needed some repair to substitute for chain guides which have been mostly completed by our customers.

[96Qowner]

While the 90-93 injectors appear to be damaged by ethanol, the 94-96 injectors appear to be resistant. Unfortunately, the fuel rail and subharness is different and the injectors won't simply R&R.

Deatschwerks makes a conversion kit for the fuel rail and you can swap the subharness. It's a little more work, but it should prevent regular injector failures.

zerothread?id=285105

http://www.deatschwerks.com/ca...64_67

You can also swap the 94-96 fuel rail into a 90-93, and skip the adapter kit.

[Q45tech]

We are seeing 94-96 injector failures now just not at frequency of 90-93.

Only time will tell whether the 94-96 are really more resistent and by how much.

Probably cost effective especially over a few years to do the full swap. Since both groups are priced the same.

[StarPD]

We are seeing 94-96 injector failures now just not at frequency of 90-93.

Only time will tell whether the 94-96 are really more resistent and by how much.

Probably cost effective especially over a few years to do the full swap. Since both groups are priced the same.

My '94 went through 5 injectors in the first 60k miles. I beefed to Infiniti and didn't take no for an answer. I persuaded them to replace ALL 8 injectors with what they claimed were "new updated" injectors. They provided all parts, I paid $500 labor. Never had another injector problem for the next 50k miles I had the car. We've had ethanol blended fuel in Phoenix for all the time I owned it, and for many years, MTBE part of the year and ethanol the other part. No "REAL" gas here for many years now.

I hope my '05 doesn't suffer injector problems because of ethanol blended fuel, which we have no choice but to use. Does anyone know if 2002+ F50 VK engines have injector problems from ethanol blended fuels, and/or the dreaded fuel pump issue, both common with G50 VH motors? What about '97 through 2001 FGY33 (my daughter-in law drives a 2000 Q45 AE)?

[qship96]

My 96Q has run 213,000 miles on nothing but MTBE fuel, then ethanol enhanced fuel starting in 2005...so far no problems yet with original injectors....If they died tomorrow do we blame ethanol or just old age?