looking at doing fuel injectors.. tips, hints advice etc welcomed
04-15-2014, 05:47 PM
#22
The problem is, one injector may initially fail and 'only' take out a cat on one side. No other effects other than dumping raw fuel into the crankcase and some cylinder wall-washing. So - you wave yer letter in the Service Manager's face while logging yer drivability concern - Ford replaces that injector and the cat and you get a free oil change. No new engine - and that sword (well actually severn l'il swords) is still hanging over yer head. It could happen again. And yet again. No hydrolock - just random failures. Meanwhile all that repeated raw fuel-diluted oil is taking it's own unique pound of flesh from yer engine. At what point do you say 'enough'? As you say - replacing them proactively is cheap insurance. I would not count on a hydrolock. Besides - this forum and others have their share of unfulfilled hydrolock events where Ford has refused to remediate the terms of the Letter. Leaving the owner holding the bag. Totally avoidable. Heaven forbid you DO get a rod through the block - in the middle of bumfek-nowhere, towing yer depleted camper, with a truck full of kids and one pissed-off DW. Will showing HER that Letter save yer life? 
Side note on injectors: http://www.fordracingparts.com/downl...d_Adaptors.pdf I called my local SVT dealer - the 5.4 3V's use a 24# injector. As for FF vehicles, the injectors have different part numbers & the fuel pump is bigger (e85 requires higher flow rates than E10). MGD
Side note on injectors: http://www.fordracingparts.com/downl...d_Adaptors.pdf I called my local SVT dealer - the 5.4 3V's use a 24# injector. As for FF vehicles, the injectors have different part numbers & the fuel pump is bigger (e85 requires higher flow rates than E10). MGDI completely concur with the mindset both you and VTX are coming from. With regards to the faulty injector issues that plague the 05 5.4 3v, holding that sword over fords neck for the duration of the recall is a great idea. I certainly would not give up that leverage prematurely.
My response however was geared more towards the non recall affected injectors, that are not prone to getting stuck. I'd say after about 250k to 300k is a good run for an injector, and replacement due to age is a viable thought. But once again, their makeup, their design, and their tendency to just fail is quite slim vs other more wear prone parts.. IE: pumps, filters, hell! Even relays! As the patina of time and the augmentation from use, or non use ensue, you could argue every working part on a sliding scale. For me, I'd put injectors closer to the bottom of my list when applying general thought. Of course, for some 5.4's they should be at the top. On par with spark plugs, timing chains, phasers, tensioners and followers is where I'd place a recalled injector. But for all intensive purposes, most injectors will prove to be quite stable, and very reliable.
As far as my 04 and I are concerned, I've already got an extra set of stock injectors out of an 07 Harley 5.4 3v on hand, should I decide to replace my stock ones. But its certainly not proving to be necessary at this time. I might consider selling them one day, but my father has an 05 with that sweet stipulation that ensures fresh parts should an injector fail. I will certainly be swapping his out once he gets out of warrantee. So thank you for reminding me of VTX!
My 04's injectors are going to be replaced anyways by my 47#er's when the blower goes in. So I suppose the whole worn out injector argument is severely lost on me LOL!
The blower kit came with my now extra set of stock 24#er's as you say, and they are part of the reason why the previous blower owner blew his motor. Alongside his MAF being too small and lack of proper tuning for a 10psi pulley upgrade. I'm sure the guys truck ran fine for a while, but one WOT pull was all it took. Plus his bypass was stuck open, so his truck was starting to build boost at idle... His poor engine never stood a chance once he started to mod it. Thankfully he bought the truck from a dealer who installed the blower initially..... Whew!
Always a good conversation with you MGD.. And VTX.
