Injector Issues?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: MA
Injector Issues?
Just started having a little problem with my 96 LT1. A slight ruff idle and terrible smell from exhaust. Check engine light comes on and when it starts running normal again the light goes out. The code said one of the O2 sensors (if I remember how the mech worded it) showing low on bank 2 and the other one on bank 2 reading high. Also running lean on bank 2. A guess on his part is possibly a bad injector causing the O2 readings rather then the O2 sensors being the problem. His suggestion would be to try some injector cleaner first seeing how we have the on and off situation before looking into a injector replacement.
Just looking for thoughts.
Thanks in advance,
jim
Just looking for thoughts.
Thanks in advance,
jim
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 628
Likes: 13
From: Indiana
Just replace the old injectors. Order a set from FIC and 40 minutes of your time. It will make a big difference in performance all around. Spark plugs, O2 sensors, and injectors will clean up a lot of problems and should be done any ways. You will be glad you did.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: MA
Thank you very much for the info. I have never dealt with injectors and figured it was some type of horror story or required a loan to repair. I will be looking into your recommendation.
Thanks again,
Jim
Thanks again,
Jim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,491
Likes: 868
From: Saratoga Springs NY
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Buy REAL injector cleaner though. Way too many fake products out there...If your near a Yamaha dealer, they make 'ring-free'. Stuff works, been using it for years. If not, when you open up the bottle of whatever you choose, smell it. If it dosent smell like ammonia, its useless.....
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 628
Likes: 13
From: Indiana
FIC sells a set of rebuilt Bosch III's for less than $190.00. The first time it took me 40 minutes to replace them but now that I know what to do I could do it in 15. Mine is also a 96' LT-1. The hardest to change was the plugs. Took about 4 hours. The O2 sensors took about 2. The O2's cost $25.00 a piece (4 all together) and the Iridium plugs cost $11.00 each. I used the NGK Iridium's because I don't ever want to change plugs again. If you can do the work your self overall it's not that much money and makes a world of difference on a car this old. At least change the injectors because the originals were not that impressive to begin with and now they are 17 years old.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: MA
Klyde, thanks so much for the info. Everything sounds good except for the 4hr plug job, does not sound like fun. Think I will also go with the NGK's for the same reason.
Thanks again for the time and the help.
Jim.
Thanks again for the time and the help.
Jim.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,379
Likes: 3,262
From: Hartford WI
I personally don't believe in injector cleaners. You never know what was removed and what stayed. I send them off every 3 years for cleaning and testing. Pretty cheap way to KNOW for sure whether it is clean or not and set your schedule.
Also, you probably have Multecs which aren't the greatest so might as well get a rebuilt set that was tested. FIC has good service and products.
Also, you probably have Multecs which aren't the greatest so might as well get a rebuilt set that was tested. FIC has good service and products.
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Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 628
Likes: 13
From: Indiana
Fuel Injector Connection is a Forum supporter. You should see a vendor ad on the left near the bottom of the vendor list. Contact Jon at FIC if you have any questions. He knows all the answers for fuel injectors and is very helpful when its time to do the job. Many of us on this forum have dealt with him and have no complaints. Jon reman's Bosch injectors with newer alcohol tolerant seals and then matches sets for flow. These are used by many of us and work great. The price is great also.
Last edited by Klyde; Jul 26, 2013 at 11:29 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 32,968
Likes: 6,468
From: Rochester NY
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
I have been putting off doing the injectors and now we're headed on a road trip. No major problems but once in a great while I'll get just a very slight skip. I was thinking about running a can of injector cleaner through the tank. Am I better off leaving well enough alone or throw a bottle in and let the highway miles eat it up? Any horror stories about the cleaner loosening up crud which makes things worse?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: MA
I didn't think it would work but I put a bottle of techron cleaner in with a full tank. At 150 miles was still acting up so was getting ready to change injectors figuring i wasnt getting off that easy but at about 270 miles it suddenly cleared up. Only driven it about 100 miles since but still no problem. So is it fixed or not, guess we will see.
If the problem returns I will post it. Here's hoping for the best.
jim
If the problem returns I will post it. Here's hoping for the best.
jim
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: MA
Well good luck. Like I said it worked (so far anyway) for me and I never get luck with a easy way out so I'm waiting. lol
Oh, everyone I talked with around here recommended "Techron" and that is what I used.
Have fun on the trip!
Jim
Oh, everyone I talked with around here recommended "Techron" and that is what I used.
Have fun on the trip!
Jim
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,379
Likes: 3,262
From: Hartford WI
I have been putting off doing the injectors and now we're headed on a road trip. No major problems but once in a great while I'll get just a very slight skip. I was thinking about running a can of injector cleaner through the tank. Am I better off leaving well enough alone or throw a bottle in and let the highway miles eat it up? Any horror stories about the cleaner loosening up crud which makes things worse?
As to crud loosening up, how did those rumor mongers know? Guesswork? Did they really pull apart the injector? Kinda like me getting my trans flushed and it breaks. What was the condition before?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,379
Likes: 3,262
From: Hartford WI
I haven't seen too much of "and a miracle occurred and it fixed itself". Chances are it is now somehow within the ECM adjustment parameter. An analogy I like to use is this. Your optimum load carrying ability is 100# while your max is 150#. I put you at 150 and you can carry it but it is a strain. Drop a few pounds and it might be ok but still more than you should.