2000 4Runner needing injectors for 3rd time

[Nukeman7]

Did you call them and ask them if the truly rebuild them, or do they refurbish them? My research found that an injector is sealed, and that the internals cannot be replaced. They can only be cleaned, the o-rings and screens replaced, followed by a flow test. I'd be curious if they can actually rebuild them and prove it. I'm not saying they can't since research online can only result in so much information, but I would be curious of what they say.

There is nothing to replace beyond the o- ring. Maybe the spring? It’s just a needle valve, an electrical coil and a spring. I assume they get gummed up and an ultrasonic cleaning fixes that?

Having said that I am also in the camp that they should rarely fail. My 415,000 mile xterra is on original injectors. My Frontier has 225K - all original injectors.

The OP's research is correct in regards to cleaning and servicing a sealed fuel injector. I would have sent the injectors to esteemed BITOG expert @Trav who operates Hurst Injector Service in MA. I'm certain he would have gotten you squared away for $112 or provided you with good advice on alternative solutions.

 

[Astro14]

The OP's research is correct in regards to cleaning and servicing a sealed fuel injector. I would have sent the injectors to esteemed BITOG expert @Trav who operates Hurst Injector Service in MA. I'm certain he would have gotten you squared away for $112 or provided you with good advice on alternative solutions.

I’ll second that - @Trav has done many sets of injectors for me - Bosch, mostly - and they have all worked flawlessly afterwards. The performance increase on a high mileage car is noticeable.

 

[Goodkat]

I'm getting ready to send mone to the fuel injector rebuild company in Georgia, then be fone with it.

Maybe its worth also calling Hurst Injectors Service for a second opinion and another option to you.

The OP's research is correct in regards to cleaning and servicing a sealed fuel injector. I would have sent the injectors to esteemed BITOG expert @Trav who operates Hurst Injector Service in MA. I'm certain he would have gotten you squared away for $112 or provided you with good advice on alternative solutions.

Thanks for the info, it never hurts to have other options. If I had had more time or another vehicle to drive while the 4Runner was down, I would have tried an options such as Hurst. My only option was riding my Moto Guzzi motorcycle to work in 35°, with chances of rain. I just needed to get it done, I plan on keeping the 3rd Gen 4Runner, and they hold their value. In this particular case, as much as I didn't like paying $1200, I felt it was justifiable.

 

[Astro14]

Maybe its worth also calling Hurst Injectors Service for a second opinion and another option to you.



Thanks for the info, it never hurts to have other options. If I had had more time or another vehicle to drive while the 4Runner was down, I would have tried an options such as Hurst. My only option was riding my Moto Guzzi motorcycle to work in 35°, with chances of rain. I just needed to get it done, I plan on keeping the 3rd Gen 4Runner, and they hold their value. In this particular case, as much as I didn't like paying $1200, I felt it was justifiable.

I’d gladly pay $1,200 to keep an older car on the road for a few more years, assuming that car, like yours, is a good, reliable car in other respects. I’ve done it many times - there are a lot of high mileage vehicles in my family (see my signature). $1,200 is, what, two car payments on a new car these days?

Riding the ‘Guzzi was not a good option. Glad you got the Toyota squared away.

 

[Goodkat]

I’d gladly pay $1,200 to keep an older car on the road for a few more years, assuming that car, like yours, is a good, reliable car in other respects. I’ve done it many times - there are a lot of high mileage vehicles in my family (see my signature). $1,200 is, what, two car payments on a new car these days?

Riding the ‘Guzzi was not a good option. Glad you got the Toyota squared away.

Hell, for a lot of people that might be one monthly payment for a truck or SUV. Stuff is stupid expensive and I refuse to pay it.

I don't know if you've seen the interviews with Nate from Next-Gen Drivetrain telling people not to buy new cars because of the their planned obsolescence, poor engineering, and data mining. The guy seems to be intelligent and he's a good listen. He views himself as a whistle blower for the auto industry.

 

[Astro14]

Well - that’s about what a monthly payment would be on my wife’s new Volvo. Her old one had 308,000 miles when we bought the new one.

Not sure that I buy the “planned obsolescence” as being true today, any more than it was true in the 1950s when the term was first coined. New cars aren’t junk - my 2016 truck is well made, with quality materials - my wife’s 2025 SUV is well made, with quality materials, and thoughtful engineering throughout - including things like aluminum (not stamped steel) suspension components, and easily-replaceable air springs.

 

[97prizm]

Hell, for a lot of people that might be one monthly payment for a truck or SUV. Stuff is stupid expensive and I refuse to pay it.

I don't know if you've seen the interviews with Nate from Next-Gen Drivetrain telling people not to buy new cars because of the their planned obsolescence, poor engineering, and data mining. The guy seems to be intelligent and he's a good listen. He views himself as a whistle blower for the auto industry.

Not sure if you still found good fuel injectors but the Fuel Injector Connection in Cummings GA was great to work with. I had the same issue on my cavalier. They spent over a week trying to balance them but due to the poor design and rusted internals no dice. They gave me a great deal on a new oem set They had.

 

[Hohn]

It's a bit odd that all of this troubeshooting for Bank Too Rich has completely ignored the possibility that the O2 sensor is lying to you once it gets warm....

 

[Arc]

It's a bit odd that all of this troubeshooting for Bank Too Rich has completely ignored the possibility that the O2 sensor is lying to you once it gets warm....

I went through the same thing a while back and sure enough it was the O2 sensor just like everybody kept telling me. I left the scanner hooked up while driving and looked at the voltage reading data when I got back and there it was. All the headache and parts replacing for something simple.

 

[Trav]

Not sure if you still found good fuel injectors but the Fuel Injector Connection in Cummings GA was great to work with. I had the same issue on my cavalier. They spent over a week trying to balance them but due to the poor design and rusted internals no dice. They gave me a great deal on a new oem set They had.

I know John at FIC very well, good guy and straight shooter and so is his son. John has modified injectors for me that were unobtainable.
I have also handled some warranty testing for him for stuff up in this part of the country, he takes care of his customers. Not shooting myself in the foot but places that provide good quality service deserve a shout out, he has done the same for me.

 

[97prizm]

I know John at FIC very well, good guy and straight shooter and so is his son. John has modified injectors for me that were unobtainable.
I have also handled some warranty testing for him for stuff up in this part of the country, he takes care of his customers. Not shooting myself in the foot but places that provide good quality service deserve a shout out, he has done the same for me.

I finally got my fuel injectors installed and smooth as butter.

 

[jjblbi]

I've had good luck with these guys for outboard injector cleaning and balancing.

https://injector-rehab.com/

 

[Goodkat]

Not sure if you still found good fuel injectors but the Fuel Injector Connection in Cummings GA was great to work with. I had the same issue on my cavalier. They spent over a week trying to balance them but due to the poor design and rusted internals no dice. They gave me a great deal on a new oem set They had.

Thanks for the post. So far my 4Runner is still running great with the brand new set of injectors.