Test those injectors

[RichardP]

I seem to recall there being an injector balance test the even the EECIV Fords could perform without any special scanners.

The biggest (only?) advantage of the engine Jerry is running is the computer's diagnostic capability. With the simplest of scanners, you can tap into what the engine is trying to do and the issues it is having. It's not clear what codes would be set in a race car that spends most of it's time in open loop? If you ran an engine with a stuck injector on the street, you would get codes for air/fuel out of range per bank, your fuel trims would be maxed out, and there would probably be misfire codes specific to the cylinder.

If there is something suspect with a motor, it's easy to check the computer. Sometimes it's useless information but it can be very helpful. Also, I don't know how Jerry's car is set up, but I've seen so many racecars where the standard procedure is to dump all power with the main cutoff switch when you park it. I still struggle with Dan on that one. That erases all sorts of good information and resets fuel trims, etc. Not the best plan.

There is one thing to keep in mind with using an injector shop for diagnostic work. Almost all of them first clean your injectors and then test them. If there is something physically wrong with your injectors it will be flagged. If your problem had to do with clogged injectors, they could easily come back as all good.


Richard P.

[BryanL]

The biggest (only?) advantage


Richard P.

Have you seen the power curve?

[ShadowBolt]

The biggest (only?) advantage of the engine Jerry is running is the computer's diagnostic capability. With the simplest of scanners, you can tap into what the engine is trying to do and the issues it is having. It's not clear what codes would be set in a race car that spends most of it's time in open loop? If you ran an engine with a stuck injector on the street, you would get codes for air/fuel out of range per bank, your fuel trims would be maxed out, and there would probably be misfire codes specific to the cylinder.

If there is something suspect with a motor, it's easy to check the computer. Sometimes it's useless information but it can be very helpful. Also, I don't know how Jerry's car is set up, but I've seen so many racecars where the standard procedure is to dump all power with the main cutoff switch when you park it. I still struggle with Dan on that one. That erases all sorts of good information and resets fuel trims, etc. Not the best plan.

There is one thing to keep in mind with using an injector shop for diagnostic work. Almost all of them first clean your injectors and then test them. If there is something physically wrong with your injectors it will be flagged. If your problem had to do with clogged injectors, they could easily come back as all good.


Richard P.

Richard,
We got all kinds of codes. Lean bank one, Lean bank two. Never anything about running rich.....all the while smelling raw fuel. Never missed at all other than at idle. During races it was just down on power with the fuel smell. The car was throwing all kinds of different codes but never the same one back to back (and we were clearing the computer).


JJ

[ShadowBolt]

From the paperwork I received with the cleaned injectors they test them before and after cleaning. There was a note that said

Injectors would not fire at preflow.


JJ

I just called Injector RX and they said they were so dirty they could not even test them prior to cleaning them.

[RichardP]

From the paperwork I received with the cleaned injectors they test them before and after cleaning. There was a note that said

Injectors would not fire at preflow.


JJ

I just called Injector RX and they said they were so dirty they could not even test them prior to cleaning them.

Interesting. The injectors worked fine after cleaning? You didn't have to replace them? Why did they get dirty is probably the bigger question, then. Do you have a non-stock filter setup? Maybe something weird happened in all your fuel tank messing around?


Richard P.

[blk96gt]

They were used injectors he got off ebay.

[ShadowBolt]

Yes I bought the 21lb. injectors because Ford changed from 19 to 21 during the 2002 year and I thought it may help my lean issue. I got them off e-bay and maybe they have been causing me issues ever since. I have had them about two years. I always run at least two fuel filters and have never had to change one due to drivability issues. I don't understand what has happened. I did not really think they would get dirty running good filters.


Jerry

[Supercharged111]

Jerry if I'm not mistaken the switch to 21# injectors coincided with a fuel pressure change, but don't quote me.

[RichardP]

We got all kinds of codes. Lean bank one, Lean bank two. Never anything about running rich...

Fascinating stuff. Maybe dumping raw fuel overwhelmed the sensors?

Richard P.