Testing Fuel Injectors: OE, Bosch, and Amazon - Royalty Auto

[JGmazda]

We have many very well respected members here because of their contribution to this forum over the years. People can interact with them, almost in real time and get their expertise opinions. Their assessments are usually very accurate, hence they have a high reputation here, not because their posts sound good and appeal to the general consensus, but because their posts are usually spot on and their expertise has helped many people troubleshoot their vehicles.

You're just a consumer of carefully crafted videos and a personality which may or may not reflect the reality. You only know what this youtuber chooses to show the audience and his videos are meant for mass consumption and mass appeal. By the very nature, it will lack a lot of the techincal aspects many of us are looking for in an "expert". Hence the criticisms.

You make a valid point. However... Strictly focusing on the video in question, and without any presumption and prejudice, I would kindly state the intended "message" is - Be cautious when using aftermarket parts. That was all I needed to see and hear. I already understood this from previous experiences.

No .PHD or Doctorate necessary.

 

[martinq]

I know SMA but who is PHAD?

Pine Hollow Auto Diagnostics

 

[Japanese]

In today's video, he continues playing with his new injector testing tool and compares the Amazon against the Bosch and an OE injector from Mazda.

What brand was the IE injector?

I as far as I know from auto mechanics - you should always use OE injectors, spark plugs and any sensors of a vehicle.

Rule of thumb is Bosch for German cars, Denso/NGK for Japanese ones. Their ECUs are programmed to sense particular parts and their resistance.

 

[zzyzzx]

The Bosch ones really didn't look bad to me.

 

[Trav]

The Bosch ones really didn't look bad to me.

The difference between the Bosch and the OE was less than 0.5 cc, that is really okay. I see new OE with a little more than that.

 

[edyvw]

Yes I was thinking of getting one of those testers as they're available pretty cheap now. Nice tool to have around the shop.

I can't watch this guy anymore, just like TCCN and others. He exposed his ignorance on a video with a BMW that destroyed it's transfer case shortly after they had serviced it. He chalked it up to using non-OEM fluid which most of us know and understand is definitely not true.

Anyway, it's nice to have someone online to show and tell, better if they're experienced and talk from such.

Actually he wasn’t wrong on that BMW. I think that wasn’t TC, that was rear differential on 550i. It is atill an issue as aftermarket options are really thin, to almost nonexistent. BMW requires specific additives that Shell supplies and anything but that fluid leads to big issues.
Same goes for transfer cases. They really like DTF-1 supplied by Shell. It is really good stuff. Aftermarket stuff that 3-4th owner uses bcs. OE is expensive ($50+ for 1ltr) proved to be problematic, except few fluids specifically made for BMW like Ravenol DTF, or E-TEC made by Shell.

 

[Capt W]

What brand was the IE injector?

I as far as I know from auto mechanics - you should always use OE injectors, spark plugs and any sensors of a vehicle.

Rule of thumb is Bosch for German cars, Denso/NGK for Japanese ones. Their ECUs are programmed to sense particular parts and their resistance.

Fully agree...this type of analysis would be better addressed if the terms "OE" and "OEM" were replaced with the parts' actual manufacturer. Automakers don't make injectors -- Bosch, Alliant, Denso, etc. make them. When an OE part is pulled, it's usually quite simple to discern the manufacturer via actual labeling, part numbering, or even an embossed logo.

Additionally, over time OE parts are often superseded...and the new "OE" part can come from another company.

Continually saying OE and OEM may become meaningless without further information.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

Yes I was thinking of getting one of those testers as they're available pretty cheap now. Nice tool to have around the shop.

I can't watch this guy anymore, just like TCCN and others. He exposed his ignorance on a video with a BMW that destroyed it's transfer case shortly after they had serviced it. He chalked it up to using non-OEM fluid which most of us know and understand is definitely not true.

Anyway, it's nice to have someone online to show and tell, better if they're experienced and talk from such.

One AI thing I like is the YouTube video summary. No longer a need to watch these ridiculously long videos with 2min of real information.

 

[martinq]

Actually he wasn’t wrong on that BMW. I think that wasn’t TC, that was rear differential on 550i. It is atill an issue as aftermarket options are really thin, to almost nonexistent. BMW requires specific additives that Shell supplies and anything but that fluid leads to big issues.
Same goes for transfer cases. They really like DTF-1 supplied by Shell. It is really good stuff. Aftermarket stuff that 3-4th owner uses bcs. OE is expensive ($50+ for 1ltr) proved to be problematic, except few fluids specifically made for BMW like Ravenol DTF, or E-TEC made by Shell.

You're right it was the rear differential. Red Line specifies this fluid for the front & rear diffs on a 2021 M550:
75W85 GL-5 Gear Oil
https://www.redlineoil.com/75w85-gl-5-gear-oil

Which lists the following BMW specifications:
BMW/Mini 83 12 0 445 838
BMW/Mini 83 22 2 295 532
BMW/Mini 83 22 2 413 511
BMW/Mini 83 22 2 413 512
BMW/Mini 83 22 2 447 362
BMW/Mini Castrol, BOT 448
BMW/Mini Hypoid Axle Oil G1
BMW/Mini Hypoid Axle Oil G2
BMW/Mini Hypoid Axle Oil G3
BMW/Mini Hypoid Axle Oil G4

I'm not sure which BMW spec is listed for this specific vehicle, but it doesn't seem like it requires anything "special". If I was running track days I'd run a quality / performance 75w90 and monitor the fluid temps. UOA after each session until I found a good solution.

FCP Euro also lists:
Febi 184247 - BMW GL-5 70W80 Differential Fluid
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-gl-5-70w80-differential-fluid-1-liter-febi-184247

 

[edyvw]

You're right it was the rear differential. Red Line specifies this fluid for the front & rear diffs on a 2021 M550:
75W85 GL-5 Gear Oil
https://www.redlineoil.com/75w85-gl-5-gear-oil

Which lists the following BMW specifications:
BMW/Mini 83 12 0 445 838
BMW/Mini 83 22 2 295 532
BMW/Mini 83 22 2 413 511
BMW/Mini 83 22 2 413 512
BMW/Mini 83 22 2 447 362
BMW/Mini Castrol, BOT 448
BMW/Mini Hypoid Axle Oil G1
BMW/Mini Hypoid Axle Oil G2
BMW/Mini Hypoid Axle Oil G3
BMW/Mini Hypoid Axle Oil G4

I'm not sure which BMW spec is listed for this specific vehicle, but it doesn't seem like it requires anything "special". If I was running track days I'd run a quality / performance 75w90 and monitor the fluid temps. UOA after each session until I found a good solution.

Not sure. There is whole drama around these fluids. I would stay with OE fluid which are really good anyway.

 

[edhackett]

The difference between the Bosch and the OE was less than 0.5 cc, that is really okay. I see new OE with a little more than that.

One of the things that was mentioned in the video concerning the OE and the Bosch was that one was spraying more toward the front of the chamber, and the other more to the rear. Of course we don't know the tolerance of the tester concerning the mounting of the injectors.

Is there an acceptable tolerance for concentricity for otherwise good injectors?

Would an OEM specify an angled spray and use clocking to achieve their goals? That seems like something that is plausible to do. Assuming concentricity and engineering the mounting to direct the spray seems be a more robust solution.

Ed

 

[Trav]

One of the things that was mentioned in the video concerning the OE and the Bosch was that one was spraying more toward the front of the chamber, and the other more to the rear. Of course we don't know the tolerance of the tester concerning the mounting of the injectors.

Is there an acceptable tolerance for concentricity for otherwise good injectors?

Would an OEM specify an angled spray and use clocking to achieve their goals? That seems like something that is plausible to do. Assuming concentricity and engineering the mounting to direct the spray seems be a more robust solution.

Ed

That is more than likely the position of the injector in the rail no being centered. There are many types of spray pattern, all different shapes and angles. First you need to look up the injector info, it will tell you everything you need to know, this is a partial Bosch example it will give any deviation specs. spray angles, ohms, flow, which spray angle it is that you can match to a chart. I have charts for most injector brands.

The problem with the machine in the video is there is no viewing window, you cannot a good visual looking in the tubes, here is what I am referring to..

#4 is about 0.2cc different which is excellent even for new OE.

Testing the electrics is just as important, not just ohms but power consumption over different temps, rpm, ms and time. I see some that look great initially but when run hard for10 min start drawing quite a bit more mA, bad injector. There is a lot to this than cleaning them up and sticking them in a machine.
I did an early ZR Corvette that was being restored, it had the horrible Multec 1 injectors 16 of them, it took 25 injectors to find 16 that were as close to identical in flow, pattern and electric values. The guy did not want better alternatives just perfect originals. That cost money.