diagnosing bad injectors?

[DFrank]

So I am pretty sure I need injectors.

My 03 with 175K is having hard starts as well as slightly rough idle and some extra gray smoke.

It can go weeks without a hard start, and it seems the restarts after 15 minutes or so are the toughest. It usually starts even cold and unplugged.

I have had some battery issues, but I think it is more than just weak batteries.

I have spoken to a couple different mechanics, and gotten different responses to "how will you diagnose if my truck needs injectors?" From one saying the scan tool can usually tell, to another one saying they'll remove the cover and measure injector return, to a third who just thinks the symptoms are obvious and just to go ahead and do them all.

The guy who does most of my work is not truly a diesel guy, but says he can do them. I'd trust him to do them, but maybe not the best to diagnose.

Is this at all reasonable to do as a DIYer? I have basic tools and skills but this seems like a stretch. Plus no garage and it has been awfully cold here lately.

Any good suggestions regarding a reputable diesel shop near Boulder/Denver CO?

I have read most of the injector posts that came up on a search. I replaced my lift pump a couple years ago, but do not run a gauge to know if it may be short on pressure there.

TIA,
Dave

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I can generally tell with the Chrysler scan tool by cylinder performance. Your symptoms are consistent with bad injectors.

 

[DFrank]

Thanks Joe. So is it not worth having the return flow measured? Would it be silly to only fix ones that test bad vs kist biting the bullet and doing all 6?

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Fuel return is also a good test, but your symptoms would cause me to just change them if it were mine. Some injector sources are better than others, and few shops do a really careful job, even if they charge a premium price. There are a lot more steps and places for error than with earlier engines. See Issues 51, 72. PM me if you wish.

 

[cerberusiam]

You might try and injector cleaning to see if that would make any difference. It is usually a temporary fix if anything. The mileage you are at with no additional filtration is consistent with injector failure.

You can run the electronic tests and reutrn flow to get an idea how they are performing in the engine, or, pull them and send them to a vendor to have them tested. If they will credit the testing costs towards a new set if they are bad you would have a choice. Some places will, some won't, and it depends on how long you want the truck down. If you just order new it is a 1 day a job to swap them.

Really depends on how curious you are of the specs and what you are willing to pay for the curiosity.

 

[DFrank]

I have a friend who is going to install injectors for $250. Where should I order new ones from?

 

[cerberusiam]

Diesel Auto Power has good prices on a selection.

BBI would be a goo doption from all accounts.

There are numerous vendors offering injectors, just make sure you get new bodies. Remans are still a crap shoot.

 

[DFrank]

All I can find are remanufactured ones. One site states that that is the only way they are available at all.

is this true?

I found some from Bostech. Are these to be avoided? they were $100 cheaper. Bostech# DE811

 

[AH64ID]

Exergy sells new injectors, so does BBi. BBi Stage 1's are also a good choice, I only have 20 miles on mine but like them so far

 

[EDankievitch]

Dynomite Diesel out around Seattle Wa. had the best prices for new not re-man Injectors when I replaced them in my 05 a few years back. Also they offer performance injectors. I had installed asset of stage 1 not sure if I needed them but the extra wiff of smoke and power was nice at traffic lights. At your high mileage I would not take a chance on melting a piston. When my #4 cyl went bad (it cracked) I wasted a lot of time and effort trying to figure out just what my surging problem when hot was. In hind sight I should have just done the injectors as soon as it started to run funky.

 

[CKelley1]

dynomite diesel also had the best price for us.

 

[cerberusiam]

DDP has excelent prices on NEW Bosch Motorsports injectors with 50 HP tips for the early engines.

Patently untrue that new is not available. Run don't walk away from those vendors.

 

[jeepit]

DFrank, let us know where you end up purchasing from and the final results!

 

[DFrank]

I went with Exergy. Dynamite had same price but were out of stock on the tubes, which I wanted to replace as well.

 

[Bob4x4]

I went with Exergy. Dynamite had same price but were out of stock on the tubes, which I wanted to replace as well.

I have never had any issues with re-using the tubes on the common rail.........now the new light duty in the 1500 also requires you to throw away the high pressure lines according to factory info.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

As Bob said. . . I check for rust, dirt, uneven polishing etc. at the end that goes into the injector body. I have re-used them multiple times. I always check and clean the nuts, grease the threads and the taper fits, torque to spec.

 

[DFrank]

I forgot it ever started this fast. Nice feeling, other than the light wallet.

 

[Prairie Dog]

So did you get the upgraded tips and new injectors?

 

[Jim Ross]

I also recently went with BBI Stage 1's in my early '04 and have a couple hundred miles on them. So far, I am really pleased. I can feel a definite increase in power and smoothness; and, I cannot make any smoke with them. I like that.