What makes the injectors cups go bad?

 

Crack or it lifts from not getting an injector torqued properly. In my case, didn't get the injector installed all the way and the compression pushed it up into the injector causing coolant to leak into the cylinder. Not good.

 

Overheating can cause them to weaken and crack.

Here's a link for a bit of info about cracked cups. Leaking Fuel Injector Cups

ELC in an E99 can weaken the cup retaining compound causing fuel to leak past the cup.

 

What is ELC in an E99????

 

extended life coolant in a early 99 i think the cut off date is 12 /08 / 98 could be off a couple weeks . i know i got one 6/98

 

How many actually tq the injector hold down to specs? how many take a 3/8 ratchet and snug them down really good?

 

I always just use a 1/4" ratchet and snug them down good. Also make sure the bolts do not bottom out before getting snug. I know of a few guys that had some stretch and would bottom out first. This is also an issue on the 6.0L motors. I just replace them with new bolts.

Jody

 

Nice heads-up on the stretched hold down bolts. Never crossed my mind.

 

Me either. Luckily I usually give it just a hair extra after it clicks to be on the safe side. I always did it because that's just the way I am. Now I can say I do it to check to make sure the bolts aren't bottomed out.

On a side note. I've seen Jody post more times in the last week than I've seen him post in the last several years. I wonder if Diane broke her keyboard? Either way, thanks for chiming in Jody. Always nice to hear from you.

 

Jody must need more work, evereybody order tunes!

 

Our the injector cups held in with compound or just pressed in. I was thinking of going with the CAT ELC in my E99. I just bought that coolant for my son in his 6.0L because hes updating heads studs, EGR, & oil cooler to the bulletproof one. After reading on the coolant I thought it mit be good for my 7.3. Thanks, Chet

 

It is not recommended for the E99 due to a different type of sealant I believe as Payson said. Just add the SCA

 

An E99 owner I know quite well switched to ELC quite some time ago. He was swapping injectors and while the old ones were out he decided to pressurize the cooling system. In two injector bores he found coolant leaking past the top of the injector cup. Not a lot of coolant but definately some wetness and air bubbles. He also said that all the cups came out way too easy. He put in new cups and the newest retaining compound (Threadlock® 620). No problems now.

I had run ELC for about 40K and when I replaced all the cups I noticed that a couple of the cups came out without a snap. The other six made an audible snapping sound as they broke loose.

My assumption is the retaining compound used in the E99 was breaking down because of the exposure to the ELC.

As of now the only E99 gasket or seal that comes in contact with the coolant are my head gaskets. So far so good.

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ml#post8935201

Coolant information starts with post number 4. Excerpt below is from post number 5.

"Mostly it's the injector cups. International, who made the engine, found some compatibility issues with the older injector cup material, sensors, front cover, seals, gaskets, o-rings, and probably some other stuff when using coolants that contained organic acid technology (OAT). Coolants like ELC's (usually Red) and G-05 (usually Gold) will have these OAT's. Conventional coolants (usually Green) will not.

So International revised those components on all 2/2/99-up build engines (SN 940614-up), and began recommending and factory filling with HD ELC coolants mid-year 2000. Never looked back.

You could use HD ELC's in the older engines, but you run the risk of having to replace the cups and maybe some other stuff. I always try to recommend conventional coolant meeting ASTM D4985 with SCA or a pre-charged conventional coolant meeting ASTM D6210 for those. But it's your call, and some owners use the ELC in their older engine successfully. For the 2/2/99-up builds I would highly recommend upgrading to HD ELC."

Stewart

 

Thanks Robin and Stewart. I will stick with the green stuff till I need some major rework
hopefully not to soon in the future. Thanks for the inforemation. I was just reading as we do and the Cat Elc say how its safe for about every kind of metal and solder also made. But I'll stick with the factory bulletin,
Chet