Date:         Fri, 27 Dec 2002 22:49:09 -0500
Reply-To:     dr <dxrobertson@NETSCAPE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         dr <dxrobertson@NETSCAPE.NET>
Subject:      Re: Testing fuel injectors
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

I have tested the injector spray on an 82 air cooled by pulling the
injector and aiming it into a  plastic jar.  This was done in the
vehicle engine bay; pulled both injectors from a side of the engine
(driver or passenger) from the intake, leaving the electric wire and
fuel hose connected and placed a jar underneath each injector.  I did
both injectors on a side at the same time due to the limited space in
the intake area on the air cooled; tested one side (driver), then the
other side (passenger).  On my air cooled, there is enough rubber fuel
hose to maneuver the injectors up away from the intake enough to get the
jars under and aim the injectors into the jars, but you must do both
injectors at a time on that side.  I used 2 plastic peanut butter jars
because they were about the right size.  I then disconnected the coil
wire so the engine would not start.  Then I ran the starter and watched
the spray pattern within the plastic jars.  I have a remote starter
switch in the engine bay so I was able to do this all myself; just have
someone attempt to start the van from the driver seat while you watch,
if you dont have a remote switch.  I did this with old original
injectors that were in the van and found severe leaking in 2 injectors
after the the test was complete.  I also noticed an injector that
sprayed nearly nothing.  I then replace all 4 injectors and re-tested to
see what the spray pattern looked like on new ones.  The pattern was a
very fine mist and was very "light"- not much spray at all during the
start test.  A very noticeable difference in the performance of the van
after replacing the injectors.

of course - you are dealing with gasoline and this suggestion is what i
did and it worked for me under VERY CAREFUL procedures.  I in no way
suggest that you yourself perform these procedures.


dr


>I suspect a bad fuel injector(s) on my 1983 water cooled Westphalia, a strange miss that I can't get a handle on.  I'd like to start a discussion
>on the ways to diagnose and test a bad injector.  Does anyone have
>experience using any of the testing systems available...I'm thinking of the
>discontinued TIF Fuel Injector Testor(TIF 357EFI) that checks pressure drop
>and volume drop...or any other kind of device that would provide clues.
>What's the best way to check the spray pattern, has anyone built a device
>that would run a suspect injector outside of the engine, in a controlled way
>so the spray pattern could be studied?  I'm open to any ideas at all.
>
>John
>
>