Fuel Injector Cleaning

Z3forme

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2020
Points
13
Hello fellow Z drivers.

I've been debating something and I would like your opinions.

So I'm approaching 185,000 miles on my 01 z3 3.0i and it's about time for the CCV job again (The last one was about 10 years and 100,000 miles ago right when I get the car).

While I'm in there I figured I should do the valve cover gasket as well as there is a slight leak. I was thinking about the fuel injectors though. After so many miles I'm sure they would enjoy a thorough cleaning. I use fuel system cleaner every 10k miles or so, but if I'm in there and they are coming out anyways, might it be a good idea to ship them off for professional cleaning? I've heard that the DIY for cleaning injectors doesn't match up to professional cleaning, as I would normally gladly clean them myself. Now I have heard that the 2000-2002 batches of injectors on the m54 engines tend to get a bit warped over time, but I'm not looking to replace them right now as that's quite the bill for genuine injectors (I refuse to go aftermarket on critical components after having a less costly disa valve's o-ring liquify and get sucked into the intake, DON'T SKIMP ON THE DISA VALVE EVEN THOUGH IT'S $$$)

I imagine that my injectors must be quite dirty by now and would enjoy a deep cleaning. What do you guys think? Is it worth it to ship them off for professional cleaning? It's around 20 bucks a pop and they return before/after flow data.
The injectors seem to run just fine, but at such mileage I imagine it can't hurt.
What do you guys think?
 

handsomejackuk

Zorg Guru (III)
Australian Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Aug 8, 2016
Points
145
Location
t
had mine done on my m44. i was lucky as my mate works in local college and did them for free... and flow tested them.. they were quite bad after 110,000 miles. came back like new and he said they all flowed much better too..

i didnt get a before shot but they were real bad and mucky...

21740203_359907971112289_7045000176636638694_n by handsomejackuk, on Flickr

21752076_359908107778942_8383198524709194715_n by handsomejackuk, on Flickr

21751826_359910444445375_6259189882130951434_n (1) by handsomejackuk, on Flickr
 

handsomejackuk

Zorg Guru (III)
Australian Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Aug 8, 2016
Points
145
Location
t
did run a lot smoother after getting them done too.. so well worth it for me as it only cost me my time... you can buy an ultrasonic tank and do them yourself and make a flow rig to pressurise them i did consider this but my mate has all the flow test rigs and cleaning equiplent in the college he works for has a motorvehicle dept...
 

Z3forme

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2020
Points
13
Looks like cleaning them is definitely a good idea! If ultrasonicating them in the right solution and doing some flow tests all it takes, I believe I have all the necessary equipment. Luckily I work at a well endowed Army Futures Command laboratory, so I have loads of equipment at my disposal.
Very excited to see what 180k of no cleaning looks like. Will post pics when I get to it (although that may be some time as I'm currently quite slammed!).

P.S. Wow, Zroadster is active! Brings a tear to my eye seeing so many fellow Z lovers.
 
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