3rd injector in 3000 miles

[downtempo]

I have just dropped $$ on wheel, tire and brake upgrades, two days before installation, and there goes a third injector failure, 3rd in 3000 miles. And my fuel pump just started humming. Ugh! I'm glad i don't have a girlfriend now, because I could not afford both.

I'm wondering if my trip to see 1qckser might have affected my Q. I let the fuel go below a quarter of a tank for the first time (having too much fun, not paying attention). I drove over 100 highway miles and noticed the fuel meter was E(!). I've always used Sunoco 91 and 93. Do you think switching to a different brand might work? Ruined my freakin day. Sorry just venting. Love the car 99% of the time. It's a similar feeling to when a loved one unintentionally does something to hurt you. OK, now I'm anthropomorphizing. Oh well, I'll have it fixed and get over it. Thanks for listening.

[PalmerWMD]

When I had injector problems on a 91, it had happened just after topping off from nearly E as well.

I was wondering if it hadnt been bad gas.

Anyway 4 out of 8 were bad.So I had all 8 done figuring the remaining 4 would go sooner or later anyway.

Fred...

[911/Q45]

Replace the rest of them this time in and you won't have to deal with injectors again.

[AZhitman]

Last injector failure was enough for me, I had the tank flushed.

Make sure to swap that fuel filter while you're at it.

[SFBayQ45]

Replace the rest of them this time in and you won't have to deal with injectors again.

That's easy to say, provided you have $1100 + laying around for parts alone (Joe's price = $143 X 8). For those who aren't mechanically inclined, paying for the additional labor will kill you in a heart beat...no love left to spare.

[ddrumman]

Hey man (sfbayQ45) I feel your pain. After I replaced the 1st one, then 2 or 3 more went.Also the dealer had warned me that, it was going to happen like that.Thank God for Warranty.

D.

[texasoil]

What is it with you guys--how are you killing the fuel injectors. El cheapo gas will plug them up, so will not changing the fuel filter every once in a while. I disassembled a good working but noisy fuel pump to see what was 'failing'.' Noise was clearly caused by 'rust' forming on the tips of the roller cage in the pump and rubbing on the outer race. No wear anywhere. (140K miles) No measurable wear on brushes, commutator, bearings, pump components--NADA. Just a tiny bit of corrosion on the very tips of the roller cage. Probly woulda run another 140K miles.

[911/Q45]

It costs more to go back in several times.

[downtempo]

i have to check the fuel filter, i thought it was changed when i bought the car (6000 miles ago). what is the normal period to change the fuel filter?

Car seemed to run okay today, strange. It's been doing this for about a month now. Thought the injector went then. Put in a bottle of BGK44 (!). And it ran well until a few days after i ran it to empty. I did fill up with Mobil 91 off of the highway. Today it ran ok, with a little miss. Do injectors partially go?

[90Q45blue]

Fuel filter should be replaced annually or every 10,000 miles at least. Some people have theirs replaced twice or three times a year.

Nick

[texasoil]

Sometimes. Could be electrical problem in harness or cennection, or the injector itself. Yes injectors sometimes get plugged and then magically unplug in the morning--though not usual. Partial plugging can usually be cleaned out. The injector is a small, ultra precise solenoid actuated valve. The time open at idle is only 20 ms. Any stickieness of the pintle or trash in the very small nozzle will drastically impact idle quality. The engine may 'seem' normal at higher speeds or when cold since the computer lengthens the 'on' time then.

[90Q45blue]

Texasoil,

Do you think a fuel rail flush might be in order since it's intermittent? It sure is a lot cheaper than replacing an injector.

Nick

[downtempo]

OK, car is running great now. Will schedule a rail flush soon. Brakes, tires and wheels are done. What a difference in ride! The car responds much more to steering wheel input with the 17" and 245/45's. Is a harsher ride, but not bad, different. More European like. Had an older Saab and Audi that rode similar. Did notice that it responds more to road crowning, i have to keep a lite pressure on the wheel to prevent veering. Does happen in both lanes, so I don't think it's an alignment issue. Also, they are a bit noiser than my previous tire/wheel combo. I'm assuming it's normal, larger tires and such. Previous were stock size pirelli 4000's

Looking for suggestions on tire pressure. Most of my driving is local and on somewhat rough roads. I am willing to sacrifice a little bit of performance for comfort. Thanks in advance.

[ddrumman]

Funny you would have P4000s on your stock wheels. That's what I've been running with for about 12000 miles. I'm also going with 17x8 wheels: Konig Apeal, Opal finish. Somewhat light, 20.36 lbs. I'm going with 255/45 though, 26 or 26.1 which is stock.How many miles did you do on your P4000s?As far as tire pressure I usually stay around 34/35. That's when the car feels solid to me. I don't know what everyone else does or if tire size changes the psi.

D.

[Q45tech]

"The time open at idle is only 20 ms."Actually 2.0 ms as WOT doen't exceed 11ms.

The pintle type injectors consume ~~ 1.0 ms in just getting the pintle fully open......so the flow times are roughly 1.0 ms or less at idle and 11-1.5= 9.5 ms at WOT [4,000 rpm].