how can i devise a reasonable way to test diesel injectors? - Troubleshooting - VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.

• how can i devise a reasonable way to test diesel injectors? by Master ACiD on 30 Aug, 2005 19:34
• i just got a stash of about 150 used injectors. i have to think atleast some would be good?
  
  in order to test them, i could use a $9 ford brake master cylinder hooked up to an injector, with a pressure gauge tee'd in between?
  
  what would i be looking for to spot a good injector compared to a bad one?
• #1 by vwmike on 30 Aug, 2005 20:03
• I seem to recall you're far away from me, but I have a pop tester.
• #2 by Master ACiD on 30 Aug, 2005 22:22
• yeah im way over in south florida.
  
  you got any ideas how to test a slew of these things?
• #3 by malone on 30 Aug, 2005 23:31
• Quote from: "Master ACiD"

  what would i be looking for to spot a good injector compared to a bad one?

  
  
  Smog on this board would know; he also has a pop-tester. He may even want to buy a few sets off you for his core exchanges. I'd be interested in a few sets as well.
  
  Check for spray pattern; obviously if it's a fine mist, it's good. If it shoots a stream or if you see droplets, discard the injector, or preferably just the nozzle.
  
  The OEM spec opening pressure for a 1.6TD injector is 155 bar. Discard the injector if you cannot restore the pressure above its wear limit. The max possible pressure for a 1.6TD injector is 160 bar.
  
  If necessary buy some new nozzles from Smog or RedRotors; the injectors themselves may be OK and could just need nozzles to renew the spray pattern. Discarding the whole injector might be like getting rid of a whole Rabbit just because it had a flat tire
  
  IIRC a pop-tester dedicated to injectors costs between $100 to $200 USD. Your idea of a "ghetto" setup sounds really spiffy though!
• #4 by Master ACiD on 31 Aug, 2005 00:53
• im going to try and build one out of a ford master cylinder and see how it works.
  
  what would be a fair price for core injectors then?
  and what do the nozzles cost?
  
  thanks for the info.
• #5 by malone on 31 Aug, 2005 05:01
• Quote from: "Master ACiD"

  im going to try and build one out of a ford master cylinder and see how it works.
  
  what would be a fair price for core injectors then?
  and what do the nozzles cost?
  
  thanks for the info.

  
  
  I'll link to a couple nozzle vendors on this site. Their prices are shown in their posts:
  
  RedRotors:
  http://www.vwdiesel.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=906
  
  Smog:
  http://www.vwdiesel.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=998
  
  I know both brand nozzles they sell (I sell TDI nozzles) and the brand RedRotors distributes is the best quality, but Smog's are still decent too.
  
  I don't know the value for used core injectors. I will send you a PM when I'm ready to buy a couple sets (if you don't mind parting them).
  
  Please let us know how your homemade pop-tester works out.