High mileage tips

[Madurski]

I just turned over 290K on the odometer and seem to be having some issues.



My fuel mileage has slowly been decreasing (down to 14-15 MPG from 18-19) over the last 20-30K miles and I am thinking it may be time to replace my injectors. I thought I had read here somewhere in the past that the service life on the injectors was 250K or 300K but couldn't find it via a search. Does anyone know how long the injectors should last?



I am thinking about using these:



Item #7933817930



or:



Item #7933853628



on eBay. Any comments good or bad on either of these? Any other sources I should consider?



Should I stick with the stock injectors instead?



I just replaced my rear main seal a couple of weeks ago. This greatly reduced my oil consumption In the process I replaced my speed sensor hoping that it was the problem with my jumping speedo and broken cruise control. The speedo is steady now but still no cruise :-(



I have replaced the vacuum servo, checked the vacuum (I think it was 25 atomospheres (or whatever the guage reads vacuum in), replaced the speed sensor, the switches in the steering wheel, and the ABS sensor in the differential. Any other suggestions on how to get my cruise control working again?



I also need to replace my drivers side rocker panel, it has rusted out a little. I have only repaired panels before by patching in sheet metal, are there any tricks to replacing the rocker panels?



I think that's it for now, I have a small coolant leak also but I can figure that one out



Thanks,



Ron Madurski

 

[matches]

How often have you replaced the fuel filter, hauling rock you probably drive dirt roads, fuel filter and air filter most likely dirty. The life of injectors is directly related to fuel quality, the old boy I bought my truck from dumped a quart of transmission fluid into the tank every month, and that destroyed my injectors. You can remove them and have them tested if you want. I wouldn't buy any injectors from ebay, try Piers or BD for a good injector, JMO.

 

[Madurski]

Fuel filter replaced every year before winter. Air filter cleaned and inspected every 5K (during oil change), replaced 5. 5 years ago when I bought the truck. Maybe I'll pop a new one in and see what happens. Its always looked clean when done, but it could be getting plugged up.



Thanks,



Ron

 

[JLEONARD]

In my opinion the injectors have to be tired by now. Mine at 130 K were working fine, but they had some carbon buildup around the holes that certainly could not have helped the spray pattern.

My truck idles and runs so much better with the new injectors.

I agree that you need to be careful where you buy injectors to make sure you are getting new 1st quality stuff.

I think you'll see a nice improvement with either new ones or having your rebuilt.

Jay

 

[dpuckett]

Rebuilt Injectors

Let me add this from my own persoanl experience. If it is found you need one or two new tips, you need 6, in order to keep the fuel flow balanced. It may cost more up fornt, but will be cheaper in the long run. Mom's 92 has 2 newer injectors, and 4 originals. The 4 originals have an extra 225K on them that the newer ones dont have. That much fuel will hone and smooth the holes just a little, upsetting the overall balance. THAT will result in rough idle, low MPGs, smoke, etc, etc.



Also, when you install new injectors, make sure the washers are the same thickness as the ones that came in it. I put some thicker ones in Mom's pickup (it came with the . 092" washers; . 060" were in the install kit when the tips were redone), and cut the smoke by about 90%, and gained a little pep, and maybe 3/4MPG.



How many miles are you getting out of your yearly fuel filter change? I consider myself lucky to get 9K, regardless of how long it takes me to get there. And 5 years is too long for an air filter, IMO.



And when looking for a shop to rebuild your injectors (if you go that route) ask the shop how closely they match and balance the injectors. If you get a blank stare, or they say "within factory specs," RUN to another shop. And for the price of 6 new tips, you can spend an extra $50 and get a set of NEW balnced PODs, or Bosch 190s from PDR, et al, and still have your cores for those of us in the EDM corwd that want to upgrade when we get an intercooler.



Daniel

 

[JLEONARD]

EDM corwd that want to upgrade when we get an intercooler

He's baack!!

Daniel,

Thanks for thinking of us guys!!

I can easily get a year and 15/20K out of a fuel filter... . I must be livin' right!!! :-laf

Jay

 

[rlyons]

As far as your cruise control, mine was a bad clock spring under the steering wheel. the signal from the switches on the wheel travels through the clock spring to the truck wiring. Hope this helps.

 

[Madurski]

Did some work...

I replaced the Air Filter and Fuel filter. I don't usually like to change more than 1 thing at a time but it is almost winter so the fuel filter was due for a swap.



I compared the old air filter to the new one and there was a big difference. I could see a lot more light through the new filter even after cleaning the old one like I usually do. Maybe next time I'll just keep it for 4 years



I'm not sure what a clock spring is, if I take off the steering wheel will it be fairly obvious that it is bad or can I test it somehow?



Thanks for the replies.



Ron

 

[Madurski]

So far the filter replacement does not seem to be having an effect on my mileage, although it does seem to run a little better. I'll give it a whole tankful to be sure but I think I am still looking at needing new injectors (I can't afford for the truck to be down while they are rebuilt).



My slight coolant leak was a pair of cracks around the upper left mounting bracket on the radiator. Got a brand new one locally (some guy ordered one but needed a down flow, not a cross flow, really lucky for me because most places were talking about needing to do a special order) and installed it last night. No more leaks

 

[rlyons]

The clock spring is under the steering wheel and it winds up and unwinds with the rotation of the steering wheel. It is just a ribbon cable to carry signals from the cruise control buttons and on later models the air bag. If you can turn it around and around it is broken. It is extremly important not to turn the steering wheel with the steering shaft disconnected as I found out the hard way as this clock spring will only turn so many turns until it breaks. They are available from the dealer however. Roy

 

[dpuckett]

I can easily get a year and 15/20K out of a fuel filter... . I must be livin' right!!! :-laf

What, do you replace it when your mileage drops to 21MPG? Fuel must be like everything else around here- not quite into the 21st century.



-DP

 

[Madurski]

The clock spring is under the steering wheel and it winds up and unwinds with the rotation of the steering wheel. It is just a ribbon cable to carry signals from the cruise control buttons and on later models the air bag. If you can turn it around and around it is broken. It is extremly important not to turn the steering wheel with the steering shaft disconnected as I found out the hard way as this clock spring will only turn so many turns until it breaks. They are available from the dealer however. Roy

Mileage is still pretty bad. It looks like I am still at about 14 mpg.



I took the clock spring apart last night and it looked OK. No breaks in the wire/cable. I didn't have time to check continuity but may try to do that if I can figure out what is supposed to be continuous to what



I was able to recenter it so my left turn signal turns off at the right time now.