Identifying a leaking injector

[Falcon_LS]

I have reason to suspect one (or more) of my injectors are leaking on the Montero. I can't really smell gas in the oil, it smells the way it always has, but the oil level seems to have risen by something like quarter of a quart. I can't seem to get an accurate reading on my dipstick anymore for some reason. When I wipe it and put it back in, there's oil on one side, but it's all over the place on the other.

When I'm due for an oil change in about 2,000 km (1,250 miles), I will be sending a sample for analysis to confirm whether or not there is any fuel dilution. But in the mean time, I'm curious as to how I can identify a leaking injector. Thanks!

 

[Slippery_Pete]

Perhaps look at the spark plugs and compare them amongst each other

 

[mikered30]

Can you pull the fuel rail and turn the key to "on" and see if it leaks. It would probably be easier to look at the spark plugs or smell each spark plug tube.

 

[Quest]

Find a means of installing a fuel pressure gauge in your fuel rail and watch it drops over the course of days.

That would be a sign of either leaky injectors, leaky fuel rail pressure regulator, or it could also be fuel pump.

Q.

 

[Quest]

Oh BTW, just to clarify:

(1 ) you cannot properly identify leaky injectors while they are on board
(2 ) my posting here previously is to address the possible injectors leakage by monitoring fuel rail pressure. In the end: if they exhibit leakage and the fuel pump/fuel rail pressure regulator determined to be in good condition, you will then have to pull off the full set of injectors and send them in to shops for cleaning/pressure testings/blueprinting.

Q.

 

[The_Jeff]

Is this an MPFI setup?

I spotted one in my silhouette van as a process of elimination. My OBD-II spotted the misfiring cylinder, and I had the flashing CEL when driving. Oddly on the highway driving it home my flashing CEL went steady under heavy load. (because the "too much" fuel was actually firing) I had been assuming an ignition misfire and had been trying to take it easy on the cat and not using too much fuel, LOL.

Got home and the spark plug was wet with gas. Taking apart the upper intake manifold I smelled gas strong in there too near that cylinder/injector.

Another symptom was needing to "clear flood" floor the gas to start the van.

If your ear is good you might hear the fuel pump whine change pitch upon key-on priming, before the pressure regulator strains it.

Of course I had a major leak in mine.

 

[JHZR2]

In cold weather especially I'm not sure that fuel smell is telling.

I'd try to listen on the injectors for proper ticking.

Sometimes if running funny, you can disconnect one at a time to see which cause a change or not.

Is your theory that one is constantly flowing off of the fuel rail? Wouldn't that possibly cause hydrolock or such rich operation that you would see black smoke?

Have you tried any cleaner adds to see if something inside isn't closing right?

I'd find a good cleaner/test guy and pull them all and send them out. If some are found as bad, replace.

 

[mechtech2]

Yanking the plugs is my first suggestion. You should see a difference in the leakers [if any].
But yanking the injectors and testing them [even on the car]is the only real way to tell. Some cars are very easy to do this this on, and some are horrendous.