What is the typical lifetime of a diesel injector, before it needs replacing?
I would be interested to know what other diesel users have experienced.
I believe haynes suggest replacing at 80k for a pug 306.
Mines is on 127k and original injectors, and is running okay.
However, fuel consumption is slightly below average, but then again I do have a slightly heavy foot.
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I've asked two mechanics this one, and neither believed it was a big issue.
Garage one said many customers had injectors checked at 100,000, but nine out of ten times no recon was needed.
Garage two, a Citroen specialist, said injectors last about 250,000 miles, but a dose of injector cleaner every 10K is a wise move in order to get them there.
Both garages are straight operators.
Using injector cleaner on my 108K Xsara TD has got rid of all traces of black smoke.
And my H-reg 205 diesel has had no injector problems in its 160K-life of short journeys.
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Bosch injectors, 250k miles as long as fuel system maintenance has been carefully observed. If smoke becomes a problem (assuming pump and timing to be within spec.), a nozzle clean and reset might be required at a lower mileage. Lucas CAV injectors, slightly lower mileages. My advice: Maintain the fuel system, drain water frequently, use OE or Bosch filters and leave well alone if smoke levels are OK.
659.
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On my antique 405 td wagon,with the XUD engine that everyone but me thinks is so wonderful,the injectors are over 8 years old and have done 200\'000 miles.
It gets any old deisel in the tank,even if I do accept that Shell is better,but otherwise is a bit mollycoddled insofar as the fully synth oil is changed at the slightly extended interval of 9000 miles.
Every time its MOT\'d the emissions improve.I have not used an injector cleaner for years,when I did it made no difference.
When it was one year old Van Aacken re-optimised it to within a hair of legal and sane.
If there is a secret it is correct usage.
No cars of mine are subjected to short running periods,I dont care to live in conurbations and we have a range of bicycles and tricycles for that sort of thing anyway.
Having been born in 1946 I am thus of the last generation born with legs.
Additionally, I do not consider it sane to own vehicles with an excess of 90BHP per tonne just so I can potter about holding everyone else up.
It is a shame that so few others find it possible to be so polite and considerate to other road users.
Especially as it would save them considerable sums of money in car maintenance.
If any of them considered such to be necessary.
How recently did you follow a car belching oil fumes that could not possibly have a legal ticket?
Exactly.
Robin
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You will note that apart from proper maintenance, including the air cleaner, I did not mention the use of injector cleaner. This is because I too have found there to be no useful benefit on a properly maintained fuel system. I used to test diesel engines for a living.
659.
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I accept your point - however most diesel engines are now so sophisticated we are reliant on garage mechanics to maintain our vehicles.
Given that some of these mechanics are less capable than others, it may well be that using injector cleaner will provide some benefit (granted it won't cure the underlying problem).
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I have to say I was sceptical about how effective injector cleaners where until I used such a product myself...
Before Treatment
Large amount of black smoke from exhaust under heavy acceleration.
After Treatment (drain fuel filter and replace with cleaner)
Slight wisp of black smoke . Emmission level 1.5 smoke units (limit 3)??
Car was a Peugeot 205 diesel that had done a genuine 102k miles with a very full service history....
Not a very scientific test i know, but I have no doubt there was a big improvement. possibly removes residues from injectors and stops them 'dribbling' perhaps...
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Robin,
Great posting! :-)))
My 405 non-turbo 1.9 went to 251,000 on original injectors.
And, yes, every year my emissions got better. Yes, really!
(On the basis of it's rate of improvement, eventually the gas coming out of the exhaust pipe would be cleaner than that going in via the air intake.)
rg
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I would say you will know when its time to worry, is when you have bad starting and clouds of black smoke, also if you fail the MOT.
But don't jump to conclusions as soon as you see black smoke or bad starting, there could be other factors to cause these problems.
Had an Escort 1.8d with 250k and a Citroen 132k, both with original fuel system apart from the fuel filter, and passed the MOT on every test.
With your heavy foot problem, when was the air filter last changed.
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Air filter +fuel filter is changed every 18k interval.
oil+filter every 6k.
I think the diesel pump may need tuning, slightly high revs on idle. But then again, could be caused by sticky/worn accelerator cable. Will see to both on next service interval. Not the best time of year to be tinkering under the bonnet.
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High idle (1000 rpm) will be caused by failure of the cold start wax-stat cable. Cheap to buy, but you need to drain the cooling system to change it....
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RichardW
Is it illogical? It must be Citroen....
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If you have got a haynes book, it will tell you how to check and set your fast idle speed and normal idle speed by using shims etc.
Quite easy to do.
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Had a quick read yesterday evening, seems fairly straightforward. I suspect my fast-idle thermostatic sensor/cable is faulty.
However, before I attempt that I want to fix my tacho, but thats another thread. Alternatively I will have to tune by ear.
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If the fast idle cable, where it goes through the lever on the pump, is slack when the engine is at normal operating temperature, then this is not your problem.
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