Should I replace my injectors?

[JEdgerton]

My first post! In the last issue of TDR (#62) on pg 34 Joe Donnelly says "I recommend you strongly consider new injectors". He's referring to a member's question about preventive maintenance for a 03 with 200,000 miles. My 04 has 198,000 miles but so far no injector problems - it purs like a kitten and no smoke. I've done the usual maintenance - LP replacement, brakes, ball joints, U joint, etc and faithfully perform regular service. Most of my miles are highway pulling RVs. Truck is stock; I put PS Kleen in the tank ever so often.



I've been scanning threads on this forum and found a wide variance in when members start to have injector problems - some under 100,000 miles and a few still going strong at over 350,000 miles. Donnelly says "I've seen a lot of failures at about your mileage (ie. 200,000)".



I'm inclined to take a "watchful waiting" approach. But I'm no mechanic and concerned about ignoring advise from a person of Joe Donnelly's expertise. So my question is - should I replace injectors NOW or wait until I have a problem. $3000 is a lot of money.

 

[GaryOwen]

From what I have seen, I would NOT replace the injectors yet. I replaced mine at 384k miles with intermittent fuel additive use also. Most of the people I know who are pulling RV's end up replacing them at around 375k to 400k miles. One had his replaced at around 550k miles, but always used additive.



I have begun using additive with each tank, but am not convinced it will make any difference. It does make mine run quieter though. I have been using Fuelmasters FlowMax Starter. I think it is similar to Stanadyne PF (possibly a supplier to Stanadyne?).



Gary

 

[JVolpe]

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

 

[sag2]

Joe is also well respected here, but I have to disagree with this as a broad statement. Perhaps is is being taken out of context. If you keep clean fuel and filters you can expect very long life out of the injectors. I feel that unless you have some other kind of symptom, pay attention to your truck but leave it alone.

That being said, the newer injectors have the hardened ball seat, and do last much longer than the first couple years worth of production. But I still stand by don't change them until you have a problem.

 

[Edgemann55]

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

AMEN! I second that.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Perhaps a bit more discussion into modes of failure would be in order here. As others note, if things are fine, you don't need to change injectors. If you haven't added power, the mechanical aspects will be fine for a long time. High exhaust gas temperatures and high rail pressures can cause damage. Cracks in the nozzles or bodies, and wear of the check ball and seat are two problems that can occur. On the other hand, failure of the electrical solenoid can happen any time. Whether you want to incur cost now is up to you. I have heard of folks paying more for reconditioned injectors than what new ones can be bought for. I have heard of high costs at some shops for replacement, and have seen evidence of poor workmanship, leading to further problems. Therein can be found two reasons for preventive maintenance. You can choose the mechanic/shop and you can buy the latest, stainless steel injectors. On the other hand, you might be able to continue using your old parts for many more miles, especially if your main possible cause of failure is just the electrical one.

 

[JEdgerton]

Thanks for the amplification Joe. I haven't added power so hopefully I'm good for awhile. Lots of info on this forum about solenoids - good stuff.

 

[MA2LA]

Another option if you are anywhere worried and can be with outthe truck for a few dyas or so would be to yank them out and send them off to have don go over them and maybe put some 50hp tips on them and then you know for sure and you pickup alittle power and economy. I have a set of flux 2. 5s from Don and have been very happy with them after having issues with dealer replaced injectors.