Re-man Injectors

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adventure_is_necessary

Rocky Mountain Region Local Expert Kansas
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Traveler III

4,007
Bonner Springs, Kansas, United States
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Lucas
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Antes
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Anyone have good luck with re-manufactured injectors? I have heard that they offer some benefits for the cost as they're basically new injectors at a lessor cost. Hoping this option will offer some MPG gain, as well as better throttle response and smoother idle, maybe even a little more power...all of which are claims I have heard from both consumers and the re-manufactures. Hoping there is an option out there to where I can minimize my down time on the rig as it's my DD. I'd hope to just front the cost for injectors and then turn around with the old ones and ship them back sort of like a core charge.
 

Saints&Sailors

Rank IV

Pathfinder I

A few years ago, I was shopping for fuel injectors and I recall being able to buy new ones for not that much more than remanufactured ones. I also ordered multiple "new" injectors off Ebay and they clearly were not new. Ended up returning them - twice. After that, I ended up isolating my issue (I was chasing a misfire) to figure out that the injectors weren't the problem so I never bothered replacing them.

Fuel injectors going bad is pretty rare with modern cars, particularly if you buy top tier gas. It's even less likely for those primarily using CARB gas (like what is sold in California and any other states that adhere to the same standard) - there are fewer impurities to clog up fuel filters and injectors.

The claims you heard are only valid if you already have tired/worn out injectors. Jeeps aren't sports cars so the benefit you'll see is likely minimal or just placebo effect. I'm always skeptical of the MPG improvement claims - yeah, new injectors can help if your current ones aren't functioning properly but, if you aren't having real problems (e.g. CEL, stalling, issues starting, etc.), the cost of the fuel injectors will take years to pay themselves off.

If you aren't having issues and are just trying to "tune up" your Jeep, being up to date on your scheduled maintenance is the first step. I'd start with spark plugs, running some fuel injector cleaner, and replacing your engine air filter - cheap and easy stuff. After that, I'd consider replacing your ignition coil (if you've never replaced it and you're up there in miles); testing your O2, crankshaft, camshaft, etc. sensors; fuel filter (not sure if these are replaceable on Grand Cherokees, TJs don't have a true filter); and cleaning out your throttle body and IAC sensor.

If you're really feeling like getting your hand dirty, service your transmission, transfer case, and front/rear differentials. Coolant system would be a good exercise too if you've never had it replaced.
 

James Deaton

Rank V

Pathfinder I

Doubtful you will notice any difference.

I had my mom’s cabrio injectors rebuilt at a local shop years ago and we didn’t notice anything afterward... it was like $150 to have them rebuilt.

James
 

adventure_is_necessary

Rocky Mountain Region Local Expert Kansas
Member

Traveler III

4,007
Bonner Springs, Kansas, United States
First Name
Lucas
Last Name
Antes
Member #

7082

Ham/GMRS Callsign
KE0ZXA
A few years ago, I was shopping for fuel injectors and I recall being able to buy new ones for not that much more than remanufactured ones. I also ordered multiple "new" injectors off Ebay and they clearly were not new. Ended up returning them - twice. After that, I ended up isolating my issue (I was chasing a misfire) to figure out that the injectors weren't the problem so I never bothered replacing them.

Fuel injectors going bad is pretty rare with modern cars, particularly if you buy top tier gas. It's even less likely for those primarily using CARB gas (like what is sold in California and any other states that adhere to the same standard) - there are fewer impurities to clog up fuel filters and injectors.

The claims you heard are only valid if you already have tired/worn out injectors. Jeeps aren't sports cars so the benefit you'll see is likely minimal or just placebo effect. I'm always skeptical of the MPG improvement claims - yeah, new injectors can help if your current ones aren't functioning properly but, if you aren't having real problems (e.g. CEL, stalling, issues starting, etc.), the cost of the fuel injectors will take years to pay themselves off.

If you aren't having issues and are just trying to "tune up" your Jeep, being up to date on your scheduled maintenance is the first step. I'd start with spark plugs, running some fuel injector cleaner, and replacing your engine air filter - cheap and easy stuff. After that, I'd consider replacing your ignition coil (if you've never replaced it and you're up there in miles); testing your O2, crankshaft, camshaft, etc. sensors; fuel filter (not sure if these are replaceable on Grand Cherokees, TJs don't have a true filter); and cleaning out your throttle body and IAC sensor.

If you're really feeling like getting your hand dirty, service your transmission, transfer case, and front/rear differentials. Coolant system would be a good exercise too if you've never had it replaced.
I've hit pretty much all of those (and some not listed) for services. I've got a few on my list as well that might attribute to some MPG loss. Just trying to chase down any issues the PO didn't address or might have caused. I'm habitual with running seafoam in the tank after every oil change, so I can't imagine too much has been gunked up. Wasn't sure if this was a viable option. I'm looking at getting ride of the full-time 4wd tcase and slapping one with 2wd and true low range. Hoping that frees up a little more with less wear/resistance, as well as more reliability being chain driven versus a viscus coupler.
 

systemdelete

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Erik
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As a former master automotive tech, I'll say both injectors and injector drivers in modern ECUs do fail although rather rarely. I've also seen injector harnesses, and grounds fail, especially after DIYers replaced injectors themselves. Many don't realize just how fragile wires that have been perched above the engine baking for years can get.

Unless you've confirmed an injector is causing an issue or in a failure state with a lab scope(coil field and ground issues are super easy to spot), I wouldn't start throwing parts at it. If you do get it diagnosed I'd go with a new matched set of injectors. I've had great luck with 5-o motorsports on several vehicles I've needed sets of injectors for, they are very good at finding suitable replacements long after the originals are out of production. New injectors will typically idle smoother, especially in inline motors if that was in fact your issue, but minor vacuum leaks allowing unmetered air in somewhere in the intake tract are FAR more common sources of idle issues.

www.fiveomotorsport.com


injectors by Erik, on Flickr
 

adventure_is_necessary

Rocky Mountain Region Local Expert Kansas
Member

Traveler III

4,007
Bonner Springs, Kansas, United States
First Name
Lucas
Last Name
Antes
Member #

7082

Ham/GMRS Callsign
KE0ZXA
As a former master automotive tech, I'll say both injectors and injector drivers in modern ECUs do fail although rather rarely. I've also seen injector harnesses, and grounds fail, especially after DIYers replaced injectors themselves. Many don't realize just how fragile wires that have been perched above the engine baking for years can get.

Unless you've confirmed an injector is causing an issue or in a failure state with a lab scope(coil field and ground issues are super easy to spot), I wouldn't start throwing parts at it. If you do get it diagnosed I'd go with a new matched set of injectors. I've had great luck with 5-o motorsports on several vehicles I've needed sets of injectors for, they are very good at finding suitable replacements long after the originals are out of production. New injectors will typically idle smoother, especially in inline motors if that was in fact your issue, but minor vacuum leaks allowing unmetered air in somewhere in the intake tract are FAR more common sources of idle issues.

www.fiveomotorsport.com


injectors by Erik, on Flickr
No real issues to speak of other than poor gas mileage. Mainly looking to have the rig at peak performance if I can and eliminate potential issues. The main cause of my poor MPG's would be the roof rack, then my lift, then my driving habits.
 

Saints&Sailors

Rank IV

Pathfinder I

No real issues to speak of other than poor gas mileage. Mainly looking to have the rig at peak performance if I can and eliminate potential issues. The main cause of my poor MPG's would be the roof rack, then my lift, then my driving habits.
When you say "poor MPG", how bad are we talking?

Hard to tell in your profile pic but if you have bigger tires, that will also diminish the fuel economy. According to fueleconomy.gov, your vehicle (stock) should get around 15 mpgs (14 city and 19 highway). I would guess that with a lift, bigger tires, roof rack, heavier grill guard/bumper, etc. you're going to get, at best, 14 mpgs even on the highway. If you're a spirited driver, it might be even less.
upload_2018-10-4_13-16-4.png

Swapping out the full-time 4wd transfer case may sound like it will improve your issue but, again looking at the fueleconomy.gov numbers, I wouldn't expect more than a 1 mpg increase in your fuel economy. Hardly worth the cost of parts and time it would take to install. If you're going to change your transfer case, wait until your current one goes out.
 

adventure_is_necessary

Rocky Mountain Region Local Expert Kansas
Member

Traveler III

4,007
Bonner Springs, Kansas, United States
First Name
Lucas
Last Name
Antes
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7082

Ham/GMRS Callsign
KE0ZXA
Well, after seeing those numbers I'm not as upset. I average 14-15 in town. Depending on my driving and where I'm going I average usually 16.5-17. I have seen 18 on a few trips. Drove a lot last night to help out a friend and fellow cycling on a week long bikepacking trip and averaged 19.5 doing about 65mph average. I'll stop complaining :sweatsmile::sweatsmile: