Author Topic: Injectors stuck in ALH head!! (Read 9100 times)

Greasecar · « **on:** January 16, 2008, 01:07:45 pm »

I am trying to replace the injector nozzles on my father's ALH and I can't get the stubborn buggers out. The only one that I was able to remove was the #2 and it took a lot of twisting, slide-hammering and time. That trick is more of a challange with the others because there isn't as much room to wiggle and twist them. I used a crowes foot on the # 1 trying to get a few tweaks on it to loosten it up but instead the body started unscrewing from the nozzle holder. I am using a fairly hefty slide-hammer but I'm getting nowhere. I even tried removing the retainers, disconnecting the fuel solenoid and cranking a bit to see if that would pop 'em out.

The car has about 190,000 miles and I doubt the injectors have every been removed or serviced so they are glued in with carbon. Has anyone else encountered this? What did you do?

snakemaster · « **Reply #1 on:** January 16, 2008, 03:43:25 pm »

you need a bigger slide hammer with a longer shaft

shortysclimbin · « **Reply #2 on:** January 16, 2008, 06:50:09 pm »

I believe there is a tool out there for it to fix that problem. Mine with 185k where in the same shape. I just ended up taking the whole head off and giving it an anticarbon bath though.

I think the guy that makes the tool is metalman or something like that?

Slave2School · « **Reply #3 on:** January 16, 2008, 07:14:05 pm »

Loosen the holders a bit and fire it up with the solenoid disconnected so the compression can help blow the crap out.

subsonic · « **Reply #4 on:** January 16, 2008, 07:47:39 pm »

Quote from: "snakemaster"

you need a bigger slide hammer with a longer shaft

The man is all ready having problems with his car, no need to insult his manhood. :lol: :lol:

Greasecar · « **Reply #5 on:** January 17, 2008, 06:06:26 am »

I did go the "bigger hammer" route (about 3 pounds on the slide weight)and even hooked up my engine hoist to pre-load the slide hammer with a few hundred pounds before sliding the weight. I did try cranking the engine over with the injector holders off and it didn't get me anywhere.

At this point I'm a bit worried about breaking something and I don't want to have to pull the head. The car was running relatively well for almost 200K but I just figured it was about time for injector maintinance since the one unit I was able to get out was cracking well below spec..

My dad commutes 700 miles a week so I need to get the car back on the road by tomorrow. Maybe I'll have to run a couple cans of Diesel Purge through it and hopefully soften up some of the deposits holding these suckers in.

lord_verminaard · « **Reply #6 on:** January 17, 2008, 01:00:21 pm »

Wow, the ones on my engine came out with my fingers! This engine only had about 80,000 on it though. Try the diesel purge, and also give it a try after the car has been running a while, so the head is nice and hot. They should come out then. Good luck!

Brendan

Slave2School · « **Reply #7 on:** January 17, 2008, 05:41:12 pm »

Mine were stubborn too

I ended up getting some break free and that seemed to soften it up enough with me using a wrench turning on the injector body back and forth for at least 20 minutes an injector (after several hours of soaking). Keep it up they will eventually come out but you will probably be cursing before they do give it up :lol: