11-21-2021, 10:59 AM | #1 |
Private First Class
56
Rep 179
Posts |
leaking injector - the silent killer?
Been seeing too many posts indicating that a leaking injector can result in catastrophe. Yet it is often undetectable - much like high blood pressure or high cholesterol, both of which can cut you down without warning.
Are there no tell-tale signs with a leaking injector? If, for instance, cylinder 1 injector goes bad without throwing a code, will this not at least affect AFRs or fuel trims on bank 1? If there is not always fore-warning in some form or another, then we are effectively sitting on ticking timebombs. Surely, with modern technology, there must be a way of averting catastrophe? |
11-21-2021, 03:23 PM | #2 | |
General
66298
Rep 21,452
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-21-2021, 04:39 PM | #3 | ||
Lieutenant
613
Rep 577
Posts |
Quote:
You can also remove the oil cap periodically and smell the oil for excessive gas odor. |
||
Appreciate
0
|
11-21-2021, 05:31 PM | #4 |
General
66298
Rep 21,452
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-21-2021, 09:13 PM | #5 | |
Lieutenant
613
Rep 577
Posts |
Quote:
And yeah, the car runs very rough. I've heard stories where it didn't on these cars, which is kind of worrisome. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-22-2021, 05:11 AM | #6 |
General
66298
Rep 21,452
Posts |
I take mine into BMW for it's yearly safety and co2 gas test and they give it a free side check also.
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-22-2021, 07:48 AM | #7 |
Private First Class
56
Rep 179
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-22-2021, 02:08 PM | #8 |
General
66298
Rep 21,452
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-22-2021, 11:16 PM | #9 |
Private First Class
56
Rep 179
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-23-2021, 10:50 AM | #11 |
Private First Class
56
Rep 179
Posts |
Thanks. I did that a few years back and there was some fuel detected in the oil. I was told however that this is not uncommon with direct injection motors especially if you run ethanol (which I do)
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-24-2021, 06:27 AM | #12 |
Captain
254
Rep 604
Posts
Drives: 2000 M5, 2001 M5, 2013 M5 6MT
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Buffalo
|
Leaky injectors can usually be discovered if you're paying attention. It's when it leaks really badly or sticks open that causes the engine failure. Usually induced by heavy loads/strain on the engine. Remember that heavy load doesn't mean WOT pulls to redline. You could be "lugging" the engine up a hill for instance.
Keeping aware of how the engine is running, noting any smells as mentioned, and not putting off preventative maintenance, which unfortunately includes fuel injectors. |
Appreciate
0
|
11-24-2021, 10:08 AM | #14 |
Private
34
Rep 80
Posts |
Yea, as long as it measures under 2% dilution then you know you don’t have a leaky injectors. Even if you run ethanol, you still don’t want the reading to be way too high anyway. If it’s too high, you may want to change your oil a little earlier. It just another way to check and have a peace of mind.
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-25-2021, 08:05 AM | #15 | |
Private First Class
56
Rep 179
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-25-2021, 08:08 AM | #16 |
Private First Class
56
Rep 179
Posts |
Haven't seen Redex locally (South Africa). I've been using Liqui Moly injector cleaner with every 3rd fill-up. I was told the other day to rather use NF 3 in 1 Fuel System cleaner which is formulated specifically for direct injection engines so I'm trying to get hold of a few bottles
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-25-2021, 08:12 AM | #17 | |
Private First Class
56
Rep 179
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-01-2021, 06:07 AM | #18 |
Captain
254
Rep 604
Posts
Drives: 2000 M5, 2001 M5, 2013 M5 6MT
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Buffalo
|
50-75k miles seems to be the range when we see more problems.
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-01-2021, 01:54 PM | #19 | |
General
66298
Rep 21,452
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-02-2021, 12:31 AM | #20 |
Private First Class
56
Rep 179
Posts |
"NF additives" is an Australian brand. Check out their website at nfadditives.com.
I've been using their (NF ultra) octane booster for years to compensate for our sub-standard fuel and my data logs show that it works better than the many others I've tried, which include Torco and Rislone. There are reports indicating that their octane booster will eventually foul your plugs, but how soon will depend on the strength of the mixture. Hasn't happened on any of my cars yet. I've also managed to source Redex locally so will alternate between the Redex and NF injector cleaners |
Appreciate
0
|
12-02-2021, 12:33 AM | #21 |
Private First Class
56
Rep 179
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-02-2021, 02:00 AM | #22 | |
General
66298
Rep 21,452
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|