UPDATE to Hard Start Problem

[2001LS8Sport]

Here is the original thread:

http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showthread.php?t=8540

I got up early Saturday morning and went to work on the car. I had already pressure tested the fuel system and isolated the fuel rail from the rest of the car and it definitely had a pressure loss at the rail. It would lose all the pressure in the rail in about 5 minutes or so...but only when the car was good and warm. I pulled the rail and hooked the fuel line to it (with my gauge and extra lines) and the damn thing held pressure! (it wasn't hot) But I finally got one drop to come out of the #4 injector (back right). I pulled the plug from that side and the plug looked like it had been soaked in fuel. The rest of the plugs looked good. Also, #4 was showing oil seepage into the tube. So....I replaced the o-ring gasket and seals on the right valve cover (thank God it was the right side!), threw a new set of plugs in it while I had it apart, and was going to replace the #4 injector, but decided if 1 was leaking, the others may not be far behind so I wanted to replace them all. Unfortunately, I could only find 4 here in town since it was a holiday weekend and the Ford Parts distribution center was closed. So I replaced all 4 on the right side and will replace the other 4 next weekend.

The problem is fixed! The car starts perfectly everytime. The fuel rail holds pressure in all conditions. :dancefool

I have a questions though...I broke 6 of the 8 injector wiring clips when removing them and the 7th broke when I was installing it. It looks to me like the harnesses won't ever come loose anyway, but I wouldn't mind fixing them if I could. Isn't there some sort of kit out there to repair those things? And if there is, how complicated a procedure is it to fix the connector?

 

[eL eS]

Bravo Zulu, congrats in USN lingo, on the DIY fix! I do not know of any kits and had hread warinsg from other LvCers about the ease at which they break so someone might have a home brewed fix for them.

 

[Quik LS]

I have a questions though...I broke 6 of the 8 injector wiring clips when removing them and the 7th broke when I was installing it. It looks to me like the harnesses won't ever come loose anyway, but I wouldn't mind fixing them if I could. Isn't there some sort of kit out there to repair those things? And if there is, how complicated a procedure is it to fix the connector?

I've pulled my intake off several times in the SC proto-typing - and have been running with all clips busted for 6 months now - no issues.

The plastic clip actually breaks right on the hinge - no fix.

 

[eL eS]

While we are on the subject is their a replacement schedule for fuel injectors by miless or age?

 

[2001LS8Sport]

I have never heard or seen any published information on scheduled injector change on any injected vehicle from Ford eL. My old "89 LX Mustang had 150,000 on the injectors and ran perfectly until I upgraded them to 24 lb units because of the performance enhancements I was doing. As a matter of fact, I think this is the first injector on a Ford I've ever had to replace due to failure. Pretty good track record if you ask me since I've owned a boat load of their products! The old pintle style injectors (mostly GM) had a pretty good failure rate due to plugging and contamination, but not these newer style that's been out for many years now.

 

[2001LS8Sport]

I've pulled my intake off several times in the SC proto-typing - and have been running with all clips busted for 6 months now - no issues.

The plastic clip actually breaks right on the hinge - no fix.

Damn Quik! I thought that is what someone was going to say. I know there is a repair kit out there, but don't know what it entails or actually fixes. I guess if I were REALLY worried about it, I would use some very narrow zip ties and tie them on. Kinda "Mickey" looking though....

 

[eL eS]

I have never heard or seen any published information on scheduled injector change on any injected vehicle from Ford eL. My old "89 LX Mustang had 150,000 on the injectors and ran perfectly until I upgraded them to 24 lb units because of the performance enhancements I was doing. As a matter of fact, I think this is the first injector on a Ford I've ever had to replace due to failure. Pretty good track record if you ask me since I've owned a boat load of their products! The old pintle style injectors (mostly GM) had a pretty good failure rate due to plugging and contamination, but not these newer style that's been out for many years now.

Super. It sounds like a frustrating item to repair or replace. I am glad to hear that this is a first for you with Ford cars. I have never personally had a problem on any of my Fords or Nissans so I was not sure if this was an item that required perodic replacement. Thanks.