Fuel injector dilemma

Trucks misfiring. They've narrowed it down to fuel injectors. $1700 for six.

This seems like a lot to me. Anyone else been down this road?

Thanks

 

Ask him to test the fuel pressure.

Think about this for a second. Fuel pump must push fuel to the injectors at a specific pressure, usually you'll get by on EFI engines at pressures over 120-130.

One injector bad? Possible. You'd have misfire on that single cylinder.

Two? Highly unlikely at the same time, with no signs of prior degradation.

Three? Never seen three fail at same time. If all three cylinders are on same bank, I'm suspecting the fuel rail, or something on it like the fuel pressure regulator. Test for fuel pressure on that bank and/or the incoming line to verify if it's the rail or the pump not pushing enough gas.

All six? Absolutely not, test the fuel pump for pressure, and note that on '00-'04 there is a fuel filter in-line, and if someone replaced it prior, and/or depending on mileage, it may be blocked up. OEM filter flows well and usually doesn't get jammed up on these trucks the same way other vehicles will.

 

And yes, even if OEM parts, $1700 USD is a lot of skrilla.

Oh and I just noticed you got your frame replaced. TELL HIM TO INSPECT YOUR FUEL LINES. They're quick-connect variety, we've had more than one person here where a single line wasn't seating correctly and causing lean codes, misfiring.

Dealer would've had them potentially disconnected, and absolutely disconnected the fuel filter from the rail during the frame swap.

And FYI, Standard Motor Products (SMP) manufactures a number of fuel pump/injector products for OEM. This is their injector for the 2003 ($109). If he really thinks it's the inkectors - though I *HIGHY* doubt it is - that's the replacement I'd use if he insists.

 

If there was a fuel system issue would it only cause one injector to misfire? That's the scenario now. Only cyl 4 is misfiring.

 

I chatted with service advisor and there weren't any fuel related codes.

 

I'd ask them to test pressure anyway, but ...

I guess your wording confused me then: Why are they replacing ALL injectors? If they know it's injector #4, replace injector #4 and move right along.

Shouldn't be more than $250(ish) for an OEM injector, and 2-3 hours labor in their time, which most dealers I find to be in the $175-225 range unless rates have gone up substantially in the last 4-5 years.

 

How much of the 1700 is labor? Seems like since they aren't sure its even that injector they could just swap two injectors rather than gamble with your money

 

$540 for labor.

They don't have the tools to clean the original injectors either. I asked about that.

 

They're pushing that as a "since they're there" repair.

 

I'd honestly only replace the one injector. At least this way, if it doesn't fix the misfire, you're not out another $1,000 on parts. Per their math, you're at ~$200/injector plus $542.50 on labor.

Maybe "since they're their, they'd give you their price on the injector, which I'm sure probably isn't more than $110. Then and only then would I bite.

But yeah, I'd personally replace the one they're saying is failing.

 

Before asking them to replace only one injector, I'd ask what they intend to do if they replace all the injectors and it doesn't fix the problem.
Depending on your budget and how long you plan to keep the truck I personally might be ok with replacing all the injectors if one actually went bad, but only if one is actually bad. Seems like if they're wrong you should at least get a discount

 

Yes an injector can cause a mis-fire code to be generated which most of the time refers to ignition coil since injectors last awhile compared to ignition coils.

What I'm a little confused about(not unusual) or a typo was made in what your picture is showing....why did you not move the # 4 ignition coil around to see if if the code followed to what ever cylinder you chose. Cyl 1 to 5 and plug to 2 to 4 told nothing about ignition coil 4

 

That's a great point
Those notes are from the shop.
That is strange. Swap the coil pack for cyl 4 around and see if the misfire travels seems to be how you'd figure that out.

 

Okay, I think it actually makes sense to diagnose that way.

Coils fire in pairs. Here's a diagram I found. They did it right.

5-2 are connected and
1-4 are connected. So swapping 5 and 1 would check be the way to go.

 

Before I would commit to fuel injectors, I myself would swap ign coil 4 to another spot, clear the codes and see what happens, if anything. It’s 2 10mm bolts and my free labor.

 

Trouble is the truck broke down an hour a way and I'm slammed on jobs everyday through the next few weeks so I've got little ability to DIY anything right now. At the unknown shop's whim. I wish it was at least my local guy.

But yeah, check our the ignition diagram, they did the swap right I'm pretty sure.

 

Honestly, I’d be tempted to pay for a tow truck to have it towed to someone you trust. Anyone who is pushing you to swap 6 injectors when only one is bad, I’d be hesitant to let them do the work. I understand the “while we’re in there” mentality. But … if you’re really concerned, why not call your trusted mechanic and get their 2¢?

I usually offer my customers at least two options. One is budget, it solves the immediate problem, and sometimes kick-the-can. The other is the “let’s nip it in the bud now and not need to think about it for 15-20 years”. The latter is often double or triple the cost, but I want to at least give the options because I never know what their budget is at any given time, and I know I can get them back on the road.

 

I'm leaning towards asking them to do a fuel pressure test and replacing cyl4 injector with an SMP

Thoughts on these injectors?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2266436999...pnIa4s1rZX/NYnxg4xhSRdGHU=|tkp:Bk9SR_r5rcnkZQ

 

You forgot the "wish and a prayer" option which is dumping some PEA in the tank and slapping the bumper

 

I don't buy auto parts on fleaBay or scAmazon, and you shouldn't either.