Do injectors wear out?
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
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Do injectors wear out?
I was complaining to a machinist friend about the mileage my excursion gets and he suggested I try to replace the injectors. He said he did his superduty injectors at about the mileage I have and it made a pretty big difference. I figured that my new engine would help some, but still getting about 12mpg on the highway and 6-8 in town. I typically average 9-10 mixed this time of year. I rarely let it idle.
It's a 4x4 with 4.30 gears. I live in a small town but work here too so it doesn't get a lot of miles except on long trips. My last fillup was 6, and I'm sitting somewhere around 11 on this tank from this weekends driving (highway 100% at 60-70 mph).
this still seems abnormally low for even an ex, right? My best whole tank was 12.1, and that was driving to california.
Is there a way to test the injectors? Is there anything else I should check before I go but a 7.3 model I've been eying?
It's a 4x4 with 4.30 gears. I live in a small town but work here too so it doesn't get a lot of miles except on long trips. My last fillup was 6, and I'm sitting somewhere around 11 on this tank from this weekends driving (highway 100% at 60-70 mph).
this still seems abnormally low for even an ex, right? My best whole tank was 12.1, and that was driving to california.
Is there a way to test the injectors? Is there anything else I should check before I go but a 7.3 model I've been eying?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 383
Likes: 1
I was complaining to a machinist friend about the mileage my excursion gets and he suggested I try to replace the injectors. He said he did his superduty injectors at about the mileage I have and it made a pretty big difference. I figured that my new engine would help some, but still getting about 12mpg on the highway and 6-8 in town. I typically average 9-10 mixed this time of year. I rarely let it idle.
It's a 4x4 with 4.30 gears. I live in a small town but work here too so it doesn't get a lot of miles except on long trips. My last fillup was 6, and I'm sitting somewhere around 11 on this tank from this weekends driving (highway 100% at 60-70 mph).
this still seems abnormally low for even an ex, right? My best whole tank was 12.1, and that was driving to california.
Is there a way to test the injectors? Is there anything else I should check before I go but a 7.3 model I've been eying?
It's a 4x4 with 4.30 gears. I live in a small town but work here too so it doesn't get a lot of miles except on long trips. My last fillup was 6, and I'm sitting somewhere around 11 on this tank from this weekends driving (highway 100% at 60-70 mph).
this still seems abnormally low for even an ex, right? My best whole tank was 12.1, and that was driving to california.
Is there a way to test the injectors? Is there anything else I should check before I go but a 7.3 model I've been eying?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 383
Likes: 1
I was complaining to a machinist friend about the mileage my excursion gets and he suggested I try to replace the injectors. He said he did his superduty injectors at about the mileage I have and it made a pretty big difference. I figured that my new engine would help some, but still getting about 12mpg on the highway and 6-8 in town. I typically average 9-10 mixed this time of year. I rarely let it idle.
It's a 4x4 with 4.30 gears. I live in a small town but work here too so it doesn't get a lot of miles except on long trips. My last fillup was 6, and I'm sitting somewhere around 11 on this tank from this weekends driving (highway 100% at 60-70 mph).
this still seems abnormally low for even an ex, right? My best whole tank was 12.1, and that was driving to california.
Is there a way to test the injectors? Is there anything else I should check before I go but a 7.3 model I've been eying?
It's a 4x4 with 4.30 gears. I live in a small town but work here too so it doesn't get a lot of miles except on long trips. My last fillup was 6, and I'm sitting somewhere around 11 on this tank from this weekends driving (highway 100% at 60-70 mph).
this still seems abnormally low for even an ex, right? My best whole tank was 12.1, and that was driving to california.
Is there a way to test the injectors? Is there anything else I should check before I go but a 7.3 model I've been eying?
FYI I have had my X for more than 10 years now and never had a problem always use lucas fuel injector cleaner
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
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wow i dont know if i am allowed to say this but your milage sucks "6-8" wow. i at least get got 9 to 10 before all my upgrades. that is a good question i will stick close on this one.... i also have one more thing to add is how much psi comes out and if you upgrade it a tad will it be better for the X
Like I said, 12 mpg is accomplishable on the highway, at 100% highway driving 75 mph. 11-11.5 is pretty common there too, but never above 12.1. I get 8 pulling my 6500 lb boat to the lake on long trips.
Even at all that I still only go through a tank of gas a month, so I can't justify a different vehicle very easily.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 2
From: Greensboro, NC
Injectors can wear out over time - they are solenoids, have fine filter screens and a spray nozzle. A poor spray pattern will really affect your drive-ability and mileage. Your mileage can also point to other areas - O2 sensors, catalytic converter, fuel filter, PCV, etc. Was your engine a completely new engine with all new parts or remanufactured?
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
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The ngine was a Ford factory reman long block. It came with a water pump, spark plugs, oil cooler, and a few other accessories. It did not include things like the AC compressor and alternator.
The old engine went at 140k miles. It used a pretty good amount of oil and developed a knock. I replaced it before it got very bad, didn't want to get stuck over the holidays with the family. I was hoping that the oil consumption was indicitave of low compression and the new one would be better. I notice no difference in driveability, power, or MPG. The only difference I notice is that the old one had an odd "popping" sound from the exhaust that was odd. The new engine sounds normal.
I don't have any reason to suspect anything, but I suppose I could look it up. Would fuel trim data indicate a bad set of injectors? I'd have to locate a scanner to find my fuel trim numbers.
PCV was new with engine. Injectors, O2 sensors, Catalytic converters are all old and presumed original with 142k miles on them.
The old engine went at 140k miles. It used a pretty good amount of oil and developed a knock. I replaced it before it got very bad, didn't want to get stuck over the holidays with the family. I was hoping that the oil consumption was indicitave of low compression and the new one would be better. I notice no difference in driveability, power, or MPG. The only difference I notice is that the old one had an odd "popping" sound from the exhaust that was odd. The new engine sounds normal.
I don't have any reason to suspect anything, but I suppose I could look it up. Would fuel trim data indicate a bad set of injectors? I'd have to locate a scanner to find my fuel trim numbers.
PCV was new with engine. Injectors, O2 sensors, Catalytic converters are all old and presumed original with 142k miles on them.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Ohio
Something seems wrong for sure. Try cleaning the MAF sensor, check the air filter. Some have mentioned a clogged catalytic converter can kill mileage as well.
The popping noise on the old one was likely bad exhaust studs.
The popping noise on the old one was likely bad exhaust studs.
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Posting Guru
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I am of the opinion that injectors can wear out. Anything that has pressure running through it can and will wear. Injectors should last for a long time and lots of miles, but there are many variables envolved.
Before going out and buying injectors run a complete scan onthe engine. If all cylinders are running well I would look elsewhere.
Before going out and buying injectors run a complete scan onthe engine. If all cylinders are running well I would look elsewhere.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
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Like was mentioned I'd take a look at:
- the PCV, I'm not sure how easy it is to swap on your engine, but they are cheap and normally easy
- O2 sensors, If you have a scan tool you can watch them and see what they read. Check over on the v10 forum to see what you should expect. I know old sensors get slow to react, they should react quickly when you hit the gas a little. When I swapped them out on a couple of different cars over the years milleage went up by 2mpg. With the age of your sensors it might not be a bad idea to replace them if they aren't crazy expensive.
- Clogged cats, no real good way to test that I know of. If you don't seem to have much power with the 4.30 gearing the cats might be the problem. Clogged cats will make the biggest engine have no power, especially when you wind it up. Once again milleage can really suffer. I've seen cars get 6mpg better after we "cleaned" the cats.
- the PCV, I'm not sure how easy it is to swap on your engine, but they are cheap and normally easy
- O2 sensors, If you have a scan tool you can watch them and see what they read. Check over on the v10 forum to see what you should expect. I know old sensors get slow to react, they should react quickly when you hit the gas a little. When I swapped them out on a couple of different cars over the years milleage went up by 2mpg. With the age of your sensors it might not be a bad idea to replace them if they aren't crazy expensive.
- Clogged cats, no real good way to test that I know of. If you don't seem to have much power with the 4.30 gearing the cats might be the problem. Clogged cats will make the biggest engine have no power, especially when you wind it up. Once again milleage can really suffer. I've seen cars get 6mpg better after we "cleaned" the cats.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2008
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Also I might add, we are seeing a lot of calipers sticking and creating drag due to rusty caliper bolts and etc. With a 4:30 gear you may not even notice this. I would at least consider checking the brake drag.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
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From: Mt. Shasta California
I am of the opinion that injectors can wear out. Anything that has pressure running through it can and will wear. Injectors should last for a long time and lots of miles, but there are many variables envolved.
Before going out and buying injectors run a complete scan onthe engine. If all cylinders are running well I would look elsewhere.
Before going out and buying injectors run a complete scan onthe engine. If all cylinders are running well I would look elsewhere.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
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PCV came with the new engine.
Brakes: It's something I hadn't considered. What's the best way to look for this?
O2 and cat and injectors: How do I diagnose? It seems fuel trim would indicate some of this. I can pull off an o2 sensor and check for abnormal pressure there. How much is normal?
Brakes: It's something I hadn't considered. What's the best way to look for this?
O2 and cat and injectors: How do I diagnose? It seems fuel trim would indicate some of this. I can pull off an o2 sensor and check for abnormal pressure there. How much is normal?