Pajero Injectors – my learnings
Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 9:39 pm
I drive a trusty 2003 LWB Pajero with approximately 220’000 km on the clock. Since I purchased the car second hand in early 2011, and had no way of determining the health of the injectors I decided to replace the injectors as part of a preventative maintenance strategy. It must also be told that there were no reasons for replacement of the injectors and that the car did not smoke and performed well.
• At the time it returned very good fuel consumption between 10.5 to 11 l / 100 km and I was happy with the car.
Not knowing where to get the injectors replaced I phone a 'well-known franchise german service centre' and they in turn referred me to a diesel specialist in Selby (Johannesburg South). The cost was approximately R4’000 (for a reconditioned injector set) and this included an ultrasonic cleaning of the EGR valve too. At the time they also informed me there are two types of injectors tips that can be used, the one was in stock and the other I had to wait two days for and also marginally more expensive. I did not think twice to select the cheaper injectors as well as the convenience to have the car back the same day.
Results:
• Car pulled extremely strong, especially when over 1’500 rpm. Was definitely up on power.
• No smoke
• The car would slightly ‘stutter’ between pulling away and 1’500 rpm (stutter = not pulling well, making a slightly different sound)
• Some valve clattering noise
• Fuel consumption up to a very bad 13l / 100 km
The severe deterioration of the fuel consumption, as well as the ‘stuttering’ between 800 and 1’500 caused me try a different strategy and I gave Mitspro a call. It was no surprise when they informed me that the injectors needed replacement less than 6’000 from the previous replacement. Only this time it was more expensive.... but they promised me an improvement. The total service charge was R8’000 for the reconditioned injectors and major service including a change of all the oils (gearbox and differential oils too) and I try to forget the previous experience of bad injectors and the money lost. Mitspro also set the valve clearances. I can report the following:
• Consumption back to old normal of 10.9 l / 100 km (two tanks+ of a normal working cycle)
• No smoke
• No valve noise… car is silent (or as silent as it has ever been given that it is a noisy diesel and old)
• No more ‘stuttering’ when pulling away.
• Not pulling as strongly as before, but given the improvement in fuel consumption totally worth it.
• Car driving nicely, happy customer…..
Also replaced tyres to 4 AT3 Coopers and really happy.
Next on the list of preventative replacements will be the car’s water pump…. But that will only be when cash flow allow it!
Regards
Gideon
• At the time it returned very good fuel consumption between 10.5 to 11 l / 100 km and I was happy with the car.
Not knowing where to get the injectors replaced I phone a 'well-known franchise german service centre' and they in turn referred me to a diesel specialist in Selby (Johannesburg South). The cost was approximately R4’000 (for a reconditioned injector set) and this included an ultrasonic cleaning of the EGR valve too. At the time they also informed me there are two types of injectors tips that can be used, the one was in stock and the other I had to wait two days for and also marginally more expensive. I did not think twice to select the cheaper injectors as well as the convenience to have the car back the same day.
Results:
• Car pulled extremely strong, especially when over 1’500 rpm. Was definitely up on power.
• No smoke
• The car would slightly ‘stutter’ between pulling away and 1’500 rpm (stutter = not pulling well, making a slightly different sound)
• Some valve clattering noise
• Fuel consumption up to a very bad 13l / 100 km
The severe deterioration of the fuel consumption, as well as the ‘stuttering’ between 800 and 1’500 caused me try a different strategy and I gave Mitspro a call. It was no surprise when they informed me that the injectors needed replacement less than 6’000 from the previous replacement. Only this time it was more expensive.... but they promised me an improvement. The total service charge was R8’000 for the reconditioned injectors and major service including a change of all the oils (gearbox and differential oils too) and I try to forget the previous experience of bad injectors and the money lost. Mitspro also set the valve clearances. I can report the following:
• Consumption back to old normal of 10.9 l / 100 km (two tanks+ of a normal working cycle)
• No smoke
• No valve noise… car is silent (or as silent as it has ever been given that it is a noisy diesel and old)
• No more ‘stuttering’ when pulling away.
• Not pulling as strongly as before, but given the improvement in fuel consumption totally worth it.
• Car driving nicely, happy customer…..
Also replaced tyres to 4 AT3 Coopers and really happy.
Next on the list of preventative replacements will be the car’s water pump…. But that will only be when cash flow allow it!
Regards
Gideon