repete
Veteran Member
I have about 5700 hours on my l2550DT. I was considering getting the injectors cleaned. Has anyone ever had this done?
Injector cleaning
- Thread starter repete
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20 20
Elite Member
Did my own on my tractor, jinma 254, was not really hard at all on that machine. Just needed to make sure I didn't mess with the adjustment screws{which I did OOOPs}. I think the injectors should be cleaned/checked as part of proper maintenance, helps with proper performance of engine.
Bedlam
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2005
- Messages
- 1,883
I sthere a generic way to clean them? I have never thought of doing mine
Chilly807
Elite Member
With regard to injector cleaning, it's the business I'm in. 99% of owners aren't equipped to clean or test injectors properly, unfortunately for most of us.
What should be done is to remove them from the engine, give them an external cleaning and inspection for wear on the tips. Indirect injection tips are the pintle type, same as Volkswagen. After about 160,000 km or 2000 hours on average, the tips will need service due to metal erosion, which normally means replacing them.
Not a big deal, they aren't that expensive. However, it takes a properly equipped fuel injection shop to dismantle, rebuild and test them afterwards. Most of us simply don't have the right equipment to do it. Most dealers don't either. They will either replace the old ones with new or rebuilt injectors, or ship them off to a specialty shop to have the work done.
I'd say you're looking at maybe $75 to $100 per cylinder to have the work done right, not including labour costs to remove and replace them. You can do that yourself if you're mechanically inclined and have the shop manuals needed.
Not great news for do-it-yourself kinda guys, which includes me, but some things really ARE better left to professionals.
My 2 cents,
Chilly
What should be done is to remove them from the engine, give them an external cleaning and inspection for wear on the tips. Indirect injection tips are the pintle type, same as Volkswagen. After about 160,000 km or 2000 hours on average, the tips will need service due to metal erosion, which normally means replacing them.
Not a big deal, they aren't that expensive. However, it takes a properly equipped fuel injection shop to dismantle, rebuild and test them afterwards. Most of us simply don't have the right equipment to do it. Most dealers don't either. They will either replace the old ones with new or rebuilt injectors, or ship them off to a specialty shop to have the work done.
I'd say you're looking at maybe $75 to $100 per cylinder to have the work done right, not including labour costs to remove and replace them. You can do that yourself if you're mechanically inclined and have the shop manuals needed.
Not great news for do-it-yourself kinda guys, which includes me, but some things really ARE better left to professionals.
My 2 cents,
Chilly
PUSHINDIRT
Silver Member
Did you say 5700 hours? Did I read that right? That is just amazing and shows how long a good quality/ properly maintained machine can last!
manganos
Platinum Member
You might consider getting them pop tested and get new nozzles installed. If you do it yourself make sure you are in a VERY clean environment 
20 20
Elite Member
Chilly807, words of wisdom.
Yes we can clean and inspect for wear but DON'T mess with the adjustments. They are not hard to pull out, clean off outside, check for issue's then replace.
Yes we can clean and inspect for wear but DON'T mess with the adjustments. They are not hard to pull out, clean off outside, check for issue's then replace.
Chilly807
Elite Member
I'll try to get a few pics of worn tips vs. good ones when the opportunity presents itself.
The most critical things are good atomization of the fuel and a decent spray pattern. Opening pressure is important too, but it can be out quite a bit and you won't notice much difference in operation.
Usually if the injectors are getting bad you'll get more black smoke than usual, may be harder starting too. Fuel consumption usually goes up a bit too, but most of us won't notice that unless we do the same job day in and day out repetitively.
If you do pull them and clean them yourself, use only a soft wire brush on the nozzle tips. A brass brush is best, a barbecue brush will do the trick. Hard steel bristles are bad news, and a wire wheel is not good either.
I'm not sure if Kubota puts copper or aluminum washers between the injector and the head or not, if they do be sure you get the old one out when you remove the injector. Either use new ones (preferable) or anneal the old ones before re-installing.
Chilly
The most critical things are good atomization of the fuel and a decent spray pattern. Opening pressure is important too, but it can be out quite a bit and you won't notice much difference in operation.
Usually if the injectors are getting bad you'll get more black smoke than usual, may be harder starting too. Fuel consumption usually goes up a bit too, but most of us won't notice that unless we do the same job day in and day out repetitively.
If you do pull them and clean them yourself, use only a soft wire brush on the nozzle tips. A brass brush is best, a barbecue brush will do the trick. Hard steel bristles are bad news, and a wire wheel is not good either.
I'm not sure if Kubota puts copper or aluminum washers between the injector and the head or not, if they do be sure you get the old one out when you remove the injector. Either use new ones (preferable) or anneal the old ones before re-installing.
Chilly
