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Should I get my injectors serviced?

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 3:59 am
by James614
Just came across a link in another post to a place that offers surprisingly reasonable prices on injector cleaning (WitchHunter.com). Our '91 L has 150K, my Touring Wagon is at 140K. Before today it never occurred to me that any injector service would be cheaper and possibly just as effective as getting new injectors. Both cars get what I think is normal fuel economy, the FWD 4EAT 91 is at 22 city 25hwy and my TW is 18-19 city and 20hwy (22+ if I drive 60).

Neither car has any substantial issues that I would attribute to poor fuel flow. But admittedly they don't run like they did off the showroom floor either. Anyone else service injectors as a preventative/routine measure and notice a difference? Anyone have any experience with Witch Hunter's service? There's probably local places around, but if they're anything like half the mechanics around here I wouldn't touch them with a 10ft pole.

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 5:00 am
by 94legacy2.2
Im actually sending about 12-15 injectors to them in the next week for cleaning. The prices they offer is outstanding.

Just let him know Tyson with the Subie injectors sent you.

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 5:17 am
by James614
So then I'll definitely use them then :-)

After thinking for a bit I'll definitely just go ahead and do both cars, I've already had an injector go on the '91 before, so who knows how asymmetric the flow is on that cylinder. My TW should have it's fuel system in best possible shape regardless, plus their testing will let me know if any of the injectors are getting tired well before I wind up running on 3cyls.

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 9:45 am
by tahiti350
I've done the 3 cylinder crawl, not fun... Put a used injector in that hole, but still have a light miss at idle, so I'll have to look into getting 3 sets of injectors serviced.

Thanks for the link, how's their turn around?

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 4:16 pm
by glennda5id
Very fast. They usually have them shipping out the day they get them, if not the next morning. They flow test them, and give you a printout of pre-cleaning flow testing and post cleaning flow testing so you can compare. They do great work.

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 5:17 pm
by tahiti350
cool, thanks..

Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2009 4:18 am
by AWD_addict
I dealt with Witchhunter in person, he knows what he's doing. I had 3 injectors cleaned/tested and bought an extra one he had sitting around. I felt lucky to find just one JDM grey top 440cc at a good price. Fast turn-around for me too.

Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2009 6:19 pm
by entirelyturbo
I'm pretty sure I'm gonna do this with my car too when I do the HGs, but I'll probably use RC Engineering.

I've heard lots of good things about them. Grassroots Motorsports recommends them, in fact.

They're not that much more than Witch Hunter either, which I've never heard of.

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 5:45 pm
by glennda5id
FYI, not to knock RC engineering. But for the subaru injectors, which are side feed, they want $28.50 an injector. For 4, thats an extra $42 over witch hunter performance.

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 2:48 am
by siouxbe
I wholeheartedly recommend WitchHunter fuel injector service!
I sent mine in for cleaning, testing and flow balancing and the end result was nothing short of amazing!

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 6:43 pm
by farfrumwork
I can second the reccomendations for the service at Witchhunter. I haven't gotten them back in and running yet, but he turned them around in about one day - they should be back here today.

These were EJ22E injectors for my vanagon donor motor. One had a cracked pintle cap, and I had no idea of their history - so off they went. I'm excited to see the flow results. (and even more excited to get the damn motor swap done!!)

Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 7:24 pm
by jp233
i have been thinking about this also.

my 94 wagon has 150k now and since it's a daily driver and the usual long-haul car, would probably be worth it for me to get them cleaned. although i have been seeing ~22-23 city/normal commute and then we'll get 28-29 on the highway - with the stock size wheels/tires of course. the numbers are skewed a bit now since i put 16's on it.

James, it does sound like maybe you are a bit low on the MPG scale, but there are many factors that go into it (driving habits, terrain/traffic, tire pressure, ambient air conditions, etc etc) - that is unless the 91 motor is naturally a little more of a sipper than the 93/94 motors that i've run.

problem is on my 93, which the intake manifold is sitting on the floor right now.... i CAN NOT get these damn injectors out. I keep feeling like I'll break them. any tips? I've tried soaking them with PB Blaster and stuff, but they just won't budge. 190k and about 11 hot georgia summers, i think they have welded themselves in there!

Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 7:43 pm
by SILINC3R
hey Pat what tools you using cause im planning on doing the same thing.

Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 10:38 pm
by jp233
tools? the injectors just have a little cover over them with 2 phillips screws. then the injectors are supposed to just pop out. you'll have to remove *AIR* intake plumbing and maybe the washer reservoir to get at them though.

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 2:24 am
by 94legacy2.2
You dont have to remove the rails to get them out

Just remove the top caps (2 screws) then with needle nose pliers or a flat head screw driver position the tip of either tool into the side hole of the injector and then rotate the injector so the hole is sitting by the screw hole (from the cap taken off) then use that area for a prying surface. Slightly pry down (so it puts force up) with the tool and at the same time pry up on the connector part of the injector with your fingers


Hope it helps
I sent 22 injectors to Witchhunter the other day.I should have them back by friday

Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 5:35 pm
by jp233
well finally got them out, surprised that they were still full of gas considering that the intake manifold has been out of the car since November!

the little yellow 4-prong retainer things on the end of the injectors all broke off very easily.... very crappy, and I assume those little doo-dads are cheap and available

they will be going out to the witch on monday ;)

Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 2:38 am
by jp233
well I got the injectors back, very quick turn around!

they were not that bad to start with, damn good for having 190K on them for sure.

Nothing but kudos for the Witch Hunter!!! Before cleaning they had a spread of 3.9%, after cleaning they are now at 1.0%

He also replaced the broken pintle caps, and some o-rings. Sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

will be doing my 94 wagon when I get the 93 back on the road, and at that point will probably rip all 8 out of my truck and ship those too.

I'd feel better paying a hard-working American small business owner, than putting more gas in the tank!!!!!!!

Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 1:23 pm
by tahiti350
Have you had a chance to check fuel milage with the rebuilt injectors yet?? curious about how they do...

Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 5:32 pm
by farfrumwork
I recieved mine back as expected as well (like 3-4 days total being out of my hands).

WH replaced all my pintle caps, and installed all new o-rings as well. The injectors were pretty good to start with at ~3% spread, but were nearly perfect after cleaning (~.3%). I just had no idea of their performance as i bought the motor disassembled and it had a reported 165kmi.

on top of the flow and turn around, they look like new!