Fuel injectors on a 530i... questions.

[canada karl]

Were the original injectors made by Lucas? Anyone know the correct part number? How long do injectors typically last? When is it a good idea to replace them?

[T.Hanson]

realoem.com for part numbers. Don't recall any of my 528 injectors having Lucas stamped on them, large enough to notice.

There's an injector cleaner, tester guy website. Probably tons of them, but somebody posted a link to this one here, as in good experience. Maybe Google search old posts or ask.

Injectors seem to last forever, until they don't. Mine have all kept on, or twelve passed visual inspection, didn't mind new rubber bushings, fuel lines during rebuilds.

You can do the Sea Foam treatment ( see previous posts or website) or try other brand cleaners. Or, shops offer more focused, industrial hook ups and computer diagnostics.

Still common sense though. If it sounds clean and runs hard on all six, probably good.

[Mike W.]

Bosch. They didn't start using Lucas stuff until much later. I've had plenty of E12 era injectors start leaking in the 200-300K range, but other than that they don't seem to wear or anything. IMO Techron, not fuel cleaner with Techron, is the best over the counter injector cleaner. It doesn't always work, but sometimes it does which is better than anything else I've tried.

[RonDwyer]

I have a complete set that are redundant due to an imminent swap of a motronic 3.5 to my 77 E12

Spares are good. ECU? Air Box, etc. 112,000 original mile car.

[braino]

I know I'm going to get flamed for asking this but I've searched and got bogged down trying to find this information in the search results...

Two of the injectors in my '78 530i are leaking.

I have a really nice set of six injectors from an '80 528i - can I use these? Do I need to replace the entire set?

Thanks,
Brian

[Mike W.]

I know I'm going to get flamed for asking this but I've searched and got bogged down trying to find this information in the search results...

Two of the injectors in my '78 530i are leaking.

I have a really nice set of six injectors from an '80 528i - can I use these? Do I need to replace the entire set?

Thanks,
Brian

The info I've got suggests they're about 2% different, the -152s from a 528i being slightly lower flow rate. Or plenty close enough. I would swap all 6 though.

[GripGreg]

Mike, would the lower flow rate have an effect on gas mileage? HUMMM?
Also, What do you know about waterless coolant ? As advertised in Bavauto's spring catalogue? Thanx for sharing all your knowledge,,,,Greg

[Mike W.]

Mike, would the lower flow rate have an effect on gas mileage? HUMMM?
Also, What do you know about waterless coolant ? As advertised in Bavauto's spring catalogue? Thanx for sharing all your knowledge,,,,Greg

No difference in mileage on a 528i since the O2 sensor adjusts things, ~2% better on a 530i.

I would not use the waterless coolant, while it doesn't boil, it doesn't cool as well either, it doesn't transfer heat as well. The engine would run hotter under warm conditions and that's not a good thing.

From the Mfr web site:

Non-Aqueous Propylene Glycol (NPG) with additives to protect metal surfaces was chosen as the replacement liquid. Because of the specific heat and specific gravity differences between NPG and EGW coolants, it is theoretically necessary to increase NPG's coolant flow approximately 27% over that for EGW to remove equal amounts of heat from the engine...

They do continue on and say more or less it won't matter, but I don't buy that.

[GripGreg]

Thanx again, Mike! Rosallina is running so well, it's almost scary! Although I don't drive as much as I did two years ago. It may have somethin' to do with her history. Well taken care of! Thank You,,,,Greg

[Blaise]

I am replacing the fuel lines, seals, rubber mounts and insulators on my injectors.

By the insulators, I mean the little red spacers that go under the metal bracket and the washers that go on top. Half of these were missing on my car and the others were ready to fall apart. I imagine that many just run without them.

What was BMW's intention with these?

Assembly before cleaning:

<table><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Of ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_UZQuuBHQvx4/S_wRZ ... r><td>From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/blaisedesco ... e">TIC-E12 intake removal adventure</a></td></tr></table>

These are what I am calling the insulators:

<table><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lZ ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_UZQuuBHQvx4/S_wRa ... r><td>From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/blaisedesco ... e">TIC-E12 intake removal adventure</a></td></tr></table>

[Blaise]

I am replacing the fuel injector seals, but it appears that the new seals are rather loose in the intake seat. Is this normal?

http://picasaweb.google.com/blaisedesco ... directlink