I believe I have the dreaded leaking injector problem. The symptoms I am having are as follows:

Starts great if it's been sitting for a few days.

Starting it after it's been running is hard. It will either turn over for long periods of time, starting after I've given it gas, or it sometimes won't idle and I have to keep the gas pedal pressed slightly until after I've driven it a few miles.

When it does start up, get that great huge puff of smoke, which goes away after a second.....

Sounds like all the symptoms others have had with the leaking injectors....

It's been slowly getting worse since I've owned it. I've priced having a few other shops do it, but they want to use the $150 per injector GM injectors. I've got one place that will install aftermarket ones for me, but they are 120 miles away from here. I am also considering doing them myself, but don't know when I will have the time to brave it. I'm VERY mechanically challenged and basically afraid once I get it apart, I won't get it back together and I'll be in worse shape than I started.

What kind of damage is possible the longer I put this off. I will get it fixed, but still want to drive it until I get the time to get it done. I'm planning a 800 mile round trip this weekend for instance. I really want to drive the Vette, but am getting concerned at the damage the leaky injectors may be doing to the engine.

Thanks for any input.

If anyone has links to L98 Injector Replacement for Dummies, I'd appreciate that too. The search function SOMETIMES comes up with useful information.

 

i got this outta chiltons. hopefully itll be followed up by a more knowledgeable member, but i have an L98 as well, am similarly mechanically challenged, and yet I think I might be able to pull something like this off.

relieve fuel system pressure,
remove intake plenum and runners,
remove fuel rail assembly,
rotate injector retaining clip,
remove injector by pulling,
remove and discard retaining clip and o ring seals....

 

There are lots of possibilitys. One bad possibility is the injector will stick open and fill cyl with fuel. Fluid will not compress and motor will hydraulic and break internal parts. Although this is highly unlikely it "could" happen. Another good possibility is the extra fuel will wash away the oil from the cyl walls and use up the ring seal. If the injectors are your problem, it sounds like you have put it off long enough. Ford Motorsports has brand new injectors for approx 225 bucks for 8. L-98 motors take a couple of hrs to change. Lt-1's are quite a bit easier.

 

Wash down.

 

I'm actually looking at some GP Sorensen injector at Advance Auto

http://www.partsamerica.com/PartDeta...pe=677&PTSet=A

Any one have any experience with these? I've looked at the ford motorsports site also.

If I do this on my own, is there anything else I would need to change or consider changing while I've got the thing apart.

Is this really something that someone with pretty much no mechanical experience should be trying on their own?? My biggest fear still is I'll have a bunch of parts scattered in my garage and won't know what to do with them. I'll definately have the digital camera ready to go.

 

I agree, washdown is an effect of a leaking injector. Besides degrading your ring seal, it can lead to serious scoring of your cylinder walls. Changing fualty injectors is not that difficult and will save you money in the long run.

Mike

 

Port intake and cylinder heads and install new cam.


Actually, tough news. Good luck getting this fixed!

 

i bought a set of those gp sorensons. they are pretty good. but for the price id go with ford svo #22's.

 

Are those "Plug n Play"??? or are there any modifications that need to be done to the wiring. I thought I read somewhere that some clip came off, but don't recall 100%. I want to make it as pain free as possible.

 

both the svo and gp sorenson are "plug and play". the stock injectors have the locking clip, the others will not. you dont need them.. they are just a p.i.t.a.

 

If you are indeed very mechanically inclined then do it..
Be careful of the tiny o-ring on the cold start valve that plugs
in to the fuel rail.. Easy to miss and will leak like hell when
you go to start it if you miss it.. Other than that, straight forward
and if anything, it's a fun, rewarding repair cuz the car will run like
new when done.. Oh ya took me about 5 hours start to finish taking
my time...

Good luck

 

With great thanks to the help and warm garage of Blue 92, we accomplished the injector install this weekend. It all went pretty smoothly with only a couple of snags.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions on here too. This thread was probably the biggest help of all for others that need to do it.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ctor+Connector

Car starts like a champ now.

 

Hmmmmmmmmmm - almost makes me want to tackle this project on my leaking injectors! Right now I just live with it. I always considered it more of an annoyance than anything (with the long starts). Didn't know of the possible long-term damage. I'm hoping that's under rare circumstances because replacing them is still not on my high priority list just yet.

 

It's not that hard to change the injectors, especially with the tech tips here. 50MotorSports sells Ford/Bosch (I think they are 22# - pink tops) for about $200.00/set. The only other thing I did when installing was to add a AFPR for another $70.00. Takes about 6-8 hours if your cleaning things as you go.
Good luck
Subman

 

The worst that can happen is hydrolock on startup and a broken rod or head. No biggie.

 

I see you've already completed the job, which is great news. If you plan on doing you own maint. in future, one of the best investments you can make is the Corvette Service Manual from Helm, Inc. It's about $100.00 but believe me in the long run it pays for itself. Along with the manual you get gobs of supplemental wiring schematics....cheers

 

Don't wann brag but I put FMS24# in my LT1 today took 1hr and 15min all by my lonesome. Left the clips off but saved them the old injector were NASTY rusted on top and had some inside a couple. Make sure to use ATF or oil on the "O" ring prior to install.But it did not help my hard start after warm issue that much. OH well onto the fuel pump next if that don't fix it then the pressure regulator cause I will have to pull the fuel rail on that. I get about 4mpg better with the new injector though so I am happy. I would think a car with my milage should have the injectors changed/sent out to the cleaners as a matter of regular maintenance. Sure felt good and it was easy. L98 might be a little harder but be organized and it will go by fast.

 

Redeasy, the L98 injectors are a royal pain to get to. After a half dozen times, it's not too unreasonable though.

 

Excellent news! It's always nice to get a problem resolved. Hey any status on the PM you sent a couple weeks ago??

 

Leaky injectors/rich running cars gerenally ruin your cats. I ruin my brand new cat in 2.5K miles.