Fuel Injector Dilemma

[V1]

I've been told that one of my fuel injectors is leaking. It's a 2004 Mazda 6, and it has a Ford 3.0L V6 in it.

The mechanic who told me this said that that an o-ring is probably the culprit. So I'd like to try replacing those before anything else. My only problem is that nobody seems to know where I can get the correct o-ring. Not even Mazda. However, Mazda does sell new injectors for $75 apiece. Go figure. I definitely want to avoid buying 6 of those if possible. So that's my dilemma.

I had Mazda cross-reference the fuel injector part number with a Ford part number. The Ford dealer I called could not specify which o-rings would fit though. I guess the number I had was not specific to any particular Ford vehicle. The guy I talked with suggested that I just bring an injector to him to try matching things up visually. Is that a good or bad idea?

It seems like my only alternative is to cough up the money for some genuine Mazda fuel injectors. Can anyone help steer me in the right direction here?

 

[CBDFrontier06]

Why would you have to buy 6 injectors? If one is leaking, buy one. I know it's stupid to buy an entire injector to fix a leaking o-ring, but that may be the only alternative if the best they can do is matching them up visually.

 

[brianl703]

There really aren't that many different sizes of injector o-rings. Most top-feed injectors are interchangeable.

I doubt you have side-feed injectors. The difference is that the fuel goes into the top on a top-feed injector, and into the side on a side feed injector.

Does this look like the injector you have?

http://info.rockauto.com/getimage/getimage.php?imageurl=http://info.rockauto.com/Airtex/4G1653.jpg

If so then it's a top feed injector and any o-ring for a top-feed injector should work fine.

 

[benjamming]

You might try an industrial rubber & gasket business in your area. They cut o-rings every day. Some of them are knowledgeable.

 

[Donald]

There is a place on ebay that rebuilds injectors and/or sells them and takes yours as a core. They are cleaned, rebuilt and tested.

 

[BuickGN]

I agree with some of the above. The top feeds are almost standardized between brands. You're looking at
Just to clarify, do you have a leaking injector as in leaking externally from the rail or sucking air between the injector and manifold or is the injector not closing all the way and letting fuel past when it's supposed to be closed?

 

[V1]

brianl703, thank you! Yes. That looks very similar to the injectors in my car. So you say those o-rings are easy to find?

Suppose I bring an injector to the Ford dealer tomorrow, but they don't have the o-rings on hand. Where should my next stop be?

Here's another concern I have: While I had the injector out last week, I recall seeing a high lip on the inner edge of the o-ring. Was that just an imprint from being under pressure? Or are they made that way? Is that a critical feature of the o-ring?

EDIT: It leaks externally. There is a fuel odor in my engine bay.

 

[BuickGN]

Originally Posted By: V1
brianl703, thank you! Yes. That looks very similar to the injectors in my car. So you say those o-rings are easy to find?

Suppose I bring an injector to the Ford dealer tomorrow, but they don't have the o-rings on hand. Where should my next stop be?

Here's another concern I have: While I had the injector out last week, I recall seeing a high lip on the inner edge of the o-ring. Was that just an imprint from being under pressure? Or are they made that way? Is that a critical feature of the o-ring?

EDIT: It leaks externally. There is a fuel odor in my engine bay.


Summit has the viton seals for ~$13 for a set of 8 (4cyl). Just remember to use a silicone lube when insalling them or you will damage them.

 

[V1]

Summit racing? Do they have a set of 12 for a V6?

 

[V1]

Today I bought some new o-rings and installed them without a hitch. The lower set were a little fussy. Also it was kind of a witch hunt to find the rings I wound up buying, but I feel good about the install overall. So far no problems with that.

The sad thing is I still have that pesky fuel odor under my hood. I don't know if it's gas or exhaust, but I'm gonna have to take the car in again.

 

[tom slick]

Never mind

 

[dkcase]

Originally Posted By: V1
... The sad thing is I still have that pesky fuel odor under my hood. ...

Sounds similar to my experience a couple years ago with my Ford 5.0 in an 89 Crown Victoria. I replaced o-rings and it didn't cure the problem. It was from the injector itself.
I ended up getting 4 rebuilt injectors from eBay and replacing the left bank of injectors only. No more problems yet.

 

[V1]

Interesting. Today a mechanic told me that the injector itself can also develop cracks and leaks. How did you determine that the injector was leaking?

 

[brianl703]

I used a dye added to the gas and a UV light to find the leak on my 1988 Ford Mustang 5.0. But this really only works if the injectors aren't hidden under the intake manifold.