Replacing one fuel injector?

[boarderofsnow86]

So I am currently out of the country and my car is sitting. Right before I left my check engine light came on and I took it in to get checked at the dealership. They said that my #4 injector is leaking and needs to be replaced. They quoted me like $1800 to have all six replaced. My car is out of warranty and I asked about the fuel injector replacement thingy and he said that those/my car isn't one listed as qualifying for it.

Anywho, these things are about $200 each in parts for the injector plus parts as per the dealer parts guy and must be replaced with the same type for all six. Since my car is a 2009 with build date in 2008 it probably has the first run type injectors.

Is it worth having my wife just replace the faulty injector through the dealer or wait until I get back and replace all six myself with the newer ones? Keep in mind that she wants to be able to drive my car now since she thinks shes cool with her newfancy manual driving skills...

[mr_bean]

So long as the engine is running in limp mode, it should be fine to drive.

You can replace the injectors yourself when you get home but keep in mind the new ones have to be calibrated to the ECU. If you don't have the equipment to do this, then you'll have to rely on the dealer (or a capable indy) to do the work for you.

[AlBinVA]

Was told all 6 needed to be replaced at same time. Programming is required. May be a dealer only option for that. Not sure if the average indy is set up for the programming. Price is consistent with my experience. Good luck.

Off topic. Wilmington is one of my favorite destinations. Have a bro there and own an ICWW lot off of Masonboro Loop. Thinking of building/retiring there.

[Dackelone]

OP - you should wait until you get back into the states. Then have your car smog'd and take that failed emission test certificate (results) to your BMW dealer. THEN they will have to fix your car for free until it passes. Its part of the federal emission warranty: 8 years or 80K miles.

http://www.epa.gov/obd/pubs/420f09048.pdf

Btw... a new fuel injector is only something like $140 each. When they first came out they were around $350 each. The dealer should not charge more than three hours to install them. Plus they will need to "code" the new injectors for them to work properly.

[mr_bean]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

OP - you should wait until you get back into the states. Then have your car smog'd and take that failed emission test certificate (results) to your BMW dealer. THEN they will have to fix your car for free until it passes. Its part of the federal emission warranty: 8 years or 80K miles.

http://www.epa.gov/obd/pubs/420f09048.pdf

Btw... a new fuel injector is only something like $140 each. When they first came out they were around $350 each. The dealer should not charge more than three hours to install them. Plus they will need to "code" the new injectors for them to work properly.

In the fine print; fuel injectors are considered an "emissions related part" which is only covered by the federally mandated warranty of 2yrs/24K miles, or in the OP's case, BMW's factory warranty which is a little longer.
No free lunch. He's shelling out for this repair.

[Dackelone]

@boarderofsnow86

Originally Posted by mr_bean

In the fine print; fuel injectors are considered an "emissions related part" which is only covered by the federally mandated warranty of 2yrs/24K miles, or in the OP's case, BMW's factory warranty which is a little longer.
No free lunch. He's shelling out for this repair.

Every dealer will have a book listing what is covered and what is NOT covered in the by the federally mandated warranty. Some parts are only 2/24 but some are 8/80. It would be worth his time to go ask HIS dealer to show him where it says it in black & white - that his injectors are not covered. My bet is they in fact are.

[boarderofsnow86]

Thanks, I'll look into that. I'm not sure if it applies in NC. I've never had to get emissions checked there like I did up north.

[ShocknAwe]

I would think federally mandated emissions requirements would apply anywhere.

Either way, please post your results!

[RUCrash]

I'm looking at possibly a failed injector myself... can anyone tell me if the Federal Emissions Law gave the OP a get out of jail free card? Really not looking forward to buying the bank of injectors as well as associated parts then having to pay the Stealership to recode the PC

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by RUCrash

I'm looking at possibly a failed injector myself... can anyone tell me if the Federal Emissions Law gave the OP a get out of jail free card? Really not looking forward to buying the bank of injectors as well as associated parts then having to pay the Stealership to recode the PC

I have been living outside the USA for too long to give you an anseer. But the way it use to work was you need to get a failed emission certificate, then go to your dealer and have them fix the car under the Federal Emissions Law. They WILL hemm and haw... bc no one does this, but they HAVE to fix the car so it passes the emission test. Or in some states... you have to spend a certain amount of money ($500 I think) in emission related repairs in order to get a one time waiver. It should work going thru any BMW dealer.

[boarderofsnow86]

I'm still out of the country so I haven't looked any further into it yet. It will probably be a few months before I get back so I wouldn't hold your breath to see what happens with mine

[mike@x-ph.com]

I Fuel injector 6 on my car, it cost me 400$

[SteveAZ]

Older injectors (138 and 261) are getting hard to find. The new injectors (079) have to be replaced in sets of 3 (a complete bank) and all injector replacements have to be coded.

Not a hard process but one you have to have the right equipment and software for.

Here is a DIY I wrote fairly recently but it doesn't go in to setting up the software or your computer.

While I was at it, I also included a DIY I recently wrote for the HPFP too.

Any questions...PM me so I get an email as I don't come on this site very often.

[takrdown]

I just swapped out all six of my old injectors (June 2009) build...I'll check the numbers.....if you want to buy a couple of the old ones you can get them cleaned so you don't have ot buy six brand new ones.

[boarderofsnow86]

Originally Posted by SteveAZ

Older injectors (138 and 261) are getting hard to find. The new injectors (079) have to be replaced in sets of 3 (a complete bank) and all injector replacements have to be coded.

Not a hard process but one you have to have the right equipment and software for.

Here is a DIY I wrote fairly recently but it doesn't go in to setting up the software or your computer.

While I was at it, I also included a DIY I recently wrote for the HPFP too.

Any questions...PM me so I get an email as I don't come on this site very often.

Much appreciated. Seems to be a very simple process. Where do you recommend buying injectors from online? Also, where do I get the software to do the coding and what else do I need?

Originally Posted by takrdown

I just swapped out all six of my old injectors (June 2009) build...I'll check the numbers.....if you want to buy a couple of the old ones you can get them cleaned so you don't have ot buy six brand new ones.

If you have looked I may take you up on this.

[SteveAZ]

Originally Posted by boarderofsnow86

Much appreciated. Seems to be a very simple process. Where do you recommend buying injectors from online? Also, where do I get the software to do the coding and what else do I need?



If you have looked I may take you up on this.

i buy my BMW stuff from Dan at United BMW Online...I believe he is a supporting vendor on this forum. His email is dmiles@penskeautomotive.com

You'll need to get the software for INPA..you can find links for this and details on how to install and set it up at *********....dot....com.

The offer for the old injectors is a good one as long as they are 261's, are working, and were immediately put in the protective sleeves. If not, they'll need new o-rings as the original ones may have swelled.

I too have extra 261 injectors...but I have to verify them before I can offer them up to those who need them.

[boarderofsnow86]

Originally Posted by SteveAZ

i buy my BMW stuff from Dan at United BMW Online...I believe he is a supporting vendor on this forum. His email is dmiles@penskeautomotive.com

You'll need to get the software for INPA..you can find links for this and details on how to install and set it up at *********....dot....com.

The offer for the old injectors is a good one as long as they are 261's, are working, and were immediately put in the protective sleeves. If not, they'll need new o-rings as the original ones may have swelled.

I too have extra 261 injectors...but I have to verify them before I can offer them up to those who need them.

Thanks for the help. I'll probably be doing this myself as soon as a get back. Should be replacing the plugs and looking at coils while I'm in there since I'm at 40k now as well.

[SteveAZ]

Plugs...probably. Coils...I'd wait until they're and issue and troubleshoot that a little further before going to the expense (swap cylinders and see if problem follows).

Any questions or if you want the BMW coding info...just PM me...I'm sure there is stuff about it on this site as well.

Good luck and I'm assuming you're in the military...if so...THANKS!

[denibeemer]

Hi, I found out that one of my fuel injectors is clogged or something and I am reading quotes of 1800$ here and then I read that it could cost as little as 150 bucks for a single fuel injector to be replaced so I'm not sure what to think now. I also found a website that claims that that the that some fuel injector cleaning substance could solve my problem and at 20$ most of these seem like something that can't do more harm than good.

Has anyone used any liquid based fuel injector cleaners as I've heard that you could get things done with an ultrasound, but there aren't any shops that offer this near my home.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by denibeemer

Hi, I found out that one of my fuel injectors is clogged or something and I am reading quotes of 1800$ here and then I read that it could cost as little as 150 bucks for a single fuel injector to be replaced so I'm not sure what to think now. I also found a website that claims that that the that some fuel injector cleaning substance could solve my problem and at 20$ most of these seem like something that can't do more harm than good.

Has anyone used any liquid based fuel injector cleaners as I've heard that you could get things done with an ultrasound, but there aren't any shops that offer this near my home.

BMW has changed the design of these injectors a few times. I think the latest ones have the bugs worked out. Yes, you can only replace one injector, but I think a minimum of replacing three(per bank) would be better. Best would be to replace all six, and have them "coded" to the car.

I would not bother cleaning the old (designed) injectors.

Dack

[rocketpop]

I had 6 older injectors when 2 needed to be replaced. Luckily the two bad ones were in the same bank so we only did the one bank. I now have 3 new and 3 old injectors.

If you can find a matching injector, you could just replace the one.