On some other forums I've read opinions on how bad and trouble prone the early chrysler throttle body injected systems are.
Some say they fail constantly, other say they get horrible MPG too. I've owned mine for over 10 years and ~ 90k miles now and get nearly the same MPG as the later Magnum era MPFI systems.
I've had one injector fail and it cost 83$ to replace it myself, in about 5 minutes. The only other fuel related issue I had was the intank fuel pump at 184k miles.
Is the unreliability of these systems just internet folklore or is there truth to it?
I'd like to take steps to avoid issues, but honestly I don't know what, where, or how to expect them to arise.
Enlighten me.
Facts appreciated.
Opinions possibly discarded
Chrysler TBI systems, late 80's early 90's.
- Thread starter wrcsixeight
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my family has owned this car for over 140k miles and 20 years and we have never had any fuel injection problems
ls1mike
$50 Site Donor 2023
I have had a couple and they never gave me any TBI problems.
My 88 2.2 runs like a champ.Starts and runs excellently when frigid cold,develops a low smooth idle,and only occasionally a "pop" hesitation from the exhaust.Mileage is less than would be with Chrysler's previous feedback carb due to a different "philosophy" in fuel-air ratio.Previous FWD cars (1978-1984) from Chrysler were tuned very lean,and as such delivered outstanding EPA MPG figures.The first K cars were 24/41 and that later rose to 26/40.For some reason,the EPA ratings were no longer advertised after 1984...this due to the change in fuel tuning done at the behest of the Feds.This severely lowered the ratings (24/31),and at that point carb or EFI it was pretty normal to get 22-26 from a 2.2/auto K car.The 2.5 would kill 1-2 mpg and the manual would add 1-2.With the addition of TBI things got more consistent,but mileage would not improve.
I've owned 3 Dodge Spirits, 1 Chrysler Lebaron and 1 Dodge Aries that had TBI 4 cylinder engines and I never had any trouble with them. The only 'problem' I had with them was a bit of an unsteady idle when cold. The TBI 2.2/2.5 supposedly did get a bit less fuel mileage than an engine of equal size with multiport fuel injection, but the difference couldn't have been very large. I would get 29mpg or a bit higher out of my 93 Spirit on the highway with the cruise control set to 65mph.
I owned a 1983 Chrysler Imperial with the first electronic fuel injection for a 318 V/8 engine. Or at least it should have been according to the spec sheet. I did some research and found out many of the electronic fuel injection systems were replaced with carbs during factory warranty work. So it is true.
Originally Posted By: LargeCarManX2
I owned a 1983 Chrysler Imperial with the first electronic fuel injection for a 318 V/8 engine. Or at least it should have been according to the spec sheet. I did some research and found out many of the electronic fuel injection systems were replaced with carbs during factory warranty work. So it is true.
ls1mike
$50 Site Donor 2023
His is an 89, or did I read it wrong? 89 should be trouble free.
Mine is an '89 and the fuel system has been mostly trouble free. Sure I've replaced 02 sensors, and one injector, but it has 200 k+ miles on it.
I was wondering where all the bad press about late 80's early 90's TBI systems were coming from.
Those earlier systems that were replaced with carbs could be the source even though the dates don't really match.
to:wrcsixeight if you havent had a chrysler from the 60s you havent had a chrysler.
Originally Posted By: morris
to:wrcsixeight if you havent had a chrysler from the 60s you havent had a chrysler.
Had a 94 Sundance with the TBI and I loved that car. It had ZERO problems in the many years I had owned it, fairly regular maintenance and upkeep. Performed very well when I was stationed in Alaska interior. At the end of my tour we drove it down the ALCAN highway and as hair-raising as that "highway" is it still performed without any problems in artic temps, deep snow packs and got 40mpg on average. I was stunned. Only one issue popped up towards the end of the 5k mile trip to the east coast: one headlight died.
I wish I had never traded it in.
Had an 88 Lebaron. Was one of my favorite cars from past. I miss that car so much. Was super comfy, good looking, and rock solid reliable. I am possibly a minority but I love the turbo Dodge era. There were some great cars coming from Chrysler at the time, IMO.
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