FUEL INJECTOR FAILURE

Our first fault gives itself away by the engine running roughly – it feels as if it is misfiring – accompanied by excessive black smoke from the exhaust. This may be due to injector failure.

As mentioned in our ‘Preparation’ section, if the engine’s top cover goes missing (and sometimes, even if it doesn’t), moisture can collect around the fuel injectors, encouraging corrosion to form and, in time, adversely affecting injector operation. It can also make the injectors near-impossible to remove. A simple resistance test of the injector can

give a basic idea, but if available, a live data check, looking at cylinder balance, will indicate the failing cylinder.

Edward adds that he has come across one of these engines in which the plug/ socket wiring and injector pins had completely rusted away, due to being immersed in water for a long period of time. As mentioned previously, if the injectors are seized in the engine, a special puller may be required to free them.

As a first step, Edward recommends drying out the water, then soaking the area around the injector with penetrating oil, leaving overnight and trying removal the next day. If the injector refuses to budge, it is worth considering using the services of one on the many mobile operators who have the requisite pullers, should they be needed.

The fuel injectors are coded, so on installation, suitable diagnostics coding equipment is required.