High Mileage Diesel Injectors and Thoughts...

Hey Guys and Gals,
Today, I changed my diesel injectors... it has 205,000 miles on it. The
job is fairly easy... just like changing your spark plugs.

However, I now found my culprit in cold start idling problem and poor
fuel mileage ( I was getting like 27 MPG, only). Yeah yea yea, 27 is still
good eh? No, it is not. At a couple of times, I was running 24 or 25 MPG.

My car is rated 27 city and 35 highway. Yet, my car only gives me on low
end all the time. When I first got it, it ran real good and got 34.5 MPG on
highway. Not anymore.

Yes, additives helps and boost the fuel mileage, but I want my car to
run good all by itself. So I decided to change my fuel injectors. I started
with #6 cylinder and work my way toward #1. There was carbon deposits on
every injectors, but at #2, I got a chunk of carbon cake... no wonder.

Then to #1 cylinder... WHOA! Monster carbon cake. I can't believe it. No
wonder my cold idling is erratic and fuel mileage is not good... I don't
think it is possible to clear out that carbon cake with Lubro Moly Diesel
Purge... not that big... no freaking way.

So with that in mind, it takes a bit of time to pull out the injectors,
but it was easy enough... especially with older MB diesel engines where it
is right there in front of you. Mine was recessed and required special
socket tool.

I am thinking... I know alot of you got high mileage on your engine. If
you have some problem or you simply got time, you should pull out your
injectors and clean out those carbon cakes if any. While you do that, you
should change out the injectors... older diesel engines are like only $35 a
piece rebuilt. That's cheap when you need only 5 or 6.

Mine is $55 a piece so that's $330 for set of 6. In any case, I want to
run WVO in spring so I want good injectors first... plus with my problems, I
did the right thing and can't wait for spring to run WVO full time.

P.S. Always replace the injector heat shield washer and make sure it is
right side up! These are cheap online.

I forgot to add a couple more things...

With the price of the injectors in mind, the amount of money you spend to
'purge' out those high mileage injectors... it just doesn't pay. I think I
spent nearly $160 trying to get my injectors cleaned... so that's alot of
wasted money, diagnostic effort and time for high mileage injectors.

Rebuilding your own injectors can save some money... but the time you spent
may not be worth it... so a factory Bosch rebuilt injectors are real deal.
They are tested and guaranteed. Some of you just got alot of time and wants
to learn... please do so. I would do that if I could save money too... in my
case because of my type of injector that is only used for 2 or 3 years, my
saving is none. I also don't have much time either.

I remember some of you goes to PAP (Pick A Part) yards... and said most of
those cars has rebuilt injectors put in and dirt cheap too... It's a gamble,
but if you feel lucky... do it. Have fun!

In any case, just a thought I should share with all of you diesel heads.