Loss of power after injector seal servicing...

Can anyone shed any light on why a simple injector seal/washer replacement process would result in complete loss of power.

Went in with cold starting problem... washers and seals replaced... perfect to start now but no power.

LR agent has had it for 2 months now and think its a faulty injector... no testing available here in NZ.

Could it be something else? I saw another thread that talked about a blocked CAT?

Next step is sending all injectors to Australia to be tested... missing my Defender so any suggestions welcome!

Type of engine?

danspann said:

Type of engine?

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its a TD5 2003

Not a TD5 expert but I know they suffer from oil in the main connection of the injector harness. If there was oil in the harness when it was lifted up out of the way to service the injectors it may have run down to the connection. Try taking unplugging it and cleaning the connection with an electrical degreaser.

Hi there,ive had the same problem lack of power after injector seal replaced ive had every sensor tested put on nanocom no faults tried diffrent ecu had the new seals taken out and checked all ok this is the 3rd garage ive taken it too and he reckons its def the fuel pump so ive got it booked in for the end of the week ill let you no if it cures my lack of power

tidd said:

Hi there,ive had the same problem lack of power after injector seal replaced ive had every sensor tested put on nanocom no faults tried diffrent ecu had the new seals taken out and checked all ok this is the 3rd garage ive taken it too and he reckons its def the fuel pump so ive got it booked in for the end of the week ill let you no if it cures my lack of power

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Thanks guys... that's interesting... but guess what...when I took it in with the starting problem...they told me it was the fuel pump so it's got a brand new one...and it didn't make a jot of difference with the starting problem and the car continued to run perfectly on the new pump, as it did with the old one... but the starting issue continued to deteriorate [and therefore, solving this issue is all on the Land Rover agent now]. The new seals have solved the starting issue instantly [bearly need to touch the key and it starts].... the injector harness has been replaced twice, fuel regulator, has new fuel filter, (when pump done), an air thingie....sigh.

Is it easy to damage injectors if you don't do the replacement properly?

Good luck with your one! Will be interesting to see what the injector testing comes back with. Will let you know...and please any new findings you have!

Do you have access to a nanocom? You can "see how the injectors are doing", while in instrument mode. Might help to identify if one is bad.

If you don't have one, I'd highly recommend it. It's saved me a lot of money and made troubleshooting easier.

I'm in the US and it's pretty hard to get any type of work done on a td5; so I do it all myself. The nanocom was the first piece of kit I bought for the truck.

If the seals were replaced and it started running badly; it's possible that the seals aren't seated correctly. Check the oil and smell the dip stick. Does it smell like diesel? If so, your injector probably isn't seated correctly.

jabber said:

Do you have access to a nanocom? You can "see how the injectors are doing", while in instrument mode. Might help to identify if one is bad.

If you don't have one, I'd highly recommend it. It's saved me a lot of money and made troubleshooting easier.

I'm in the US and it's pretty hard to get any type of work done on a td5; so I do it all myself. The nanocom was the first piece of kit I bought for the truck.

If the seals were replaced and it started running badly; it's possible that the seals aren't seated correctly. Check the oil and smell the dip stick. Does it smell like diesel? If so, your injector probably isn't seated correctly.

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Hi Jabber
Thanks for the input...the vehicle is with the largest LR service facility in NZ and pretty sure they have all the computer gadgets for fault assessment. Infact... I think the issue here is that they rely on the computer too much and in this case it's got no answers. They've done the seals twice... think its more complicated than that.

Hi all had the fuel pump+fuel filter changed made no diffrence and fuel pressure regulator still no power after 50mph I had the injectors read on nanocom at the garage and he said they all seemed ok im thinking the same have they nackered the injectors when they did the O rings and seals,if you find out the problem please post the answer lol.

tidd said:

Hi all had the fuel pump+fuel filter changed made no diffrence and fuel pressure regulator still no power after 50mph I had the injectors read on nanocom at the garage and he said they all seemed ok im thinking the same have they nackered the injectors when they did the O rings and seals,if you find out the problem please post the answer lol.

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Hey Tidd
I thought that might be the case, sorry, I know what it feels like!
I promise to let you know when I have any answers at this end...I've had to give the agent my grumpy conversation as they hadn't even sent the injectors off yet (very frustrating).
My suggestion to you is to find an injector testing service center (find the agent that sells the equipment and they should be able to tell where you're closest/best are) I have a 2003 TD5 with Delphi green top injectors but yours might be different. The cost to test all 5 will be around $200 pound (it's 595 Australian for me).
If that comes back with no faults... my next action items are:
Is the head cracked? I don't know how this is tested, but that would be next.
Then, from this forum I have learned that problems with the Engine Loom can cause very curious engine problems. Again, I don't even know where this is... but that's a potential.

Let's make it a race to solve the problem!
Ready, set..... GO!

Hi LOUNZ i got mine fixed its amazing back to full power i got 5 second hand injectors off ebay for £130 and O rings and copper washers £8 me and a friend fitted them today,so the garage that did my O rings and copper washers knackered my injectors hope you get yours sorted soon

tidd said:

Hi LOUNZ i got mine fixed its amazing back to full power i got 5 second hand injectors off ebay for £130 and O rings and copper washers £8 me and a friend fitted them today,so the garage that did my O rings and copper washers knackered my injectors hope you get yours sorted soon

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Yay! That's great news...(except you beat me and I hate losing
My injectors are being tested right now in OZ, so will be interesting to see what the results are. I assume it will be a similar fix.
Out of interest... do you have any idea what these guys might have done to damage the injectors?!
Really the guys who did your seals should be paying for your repair...but I know this is easier said than done.
Thanks for the update, it's helpful.

hi when i had my O rings and copper washers done at the garage they said all fixed no white smoke and it starts first turn of the key again,so i payed bill after starting it up in the car park didnt think to test drive it any way drove away thought this not right flat as a fart took it straight back they had it 2 days checking every thing and they said all there work was good so it must been like that when i brought it in no power,they tried to charge me again for checking them 2 days i said stuff that im calling trading standards so they told me Dont come back ill name and shame VRS in Felling tyne and wear,i rang a few 4x4 garages and one said if they had taken injectors out and wire brushed them clean thats why i had no power but i thought no so i had every thing else checked and new silcone hoses EGR removal kit fuel pump FPR wish i had listened to him and just got some injectors its took about 2 months too sort it out im so happy now i love my defender 90 1999 TD5 fingers crossed its the same problem you have good luck.

tidd said:

hi when i had my O rings and copper washers done at the garage they said all fixed no white smoke and it starts first turn of the key again,so i payed bill after starting it up in the car park didnt think to test drive it any way drove away thought this not right flat as a fart took it straight back they had it 2 days checking every thing and they said all there work was good so it must been like that when i brought it in no power,they tried to charge me again for checking them 2 days i said stuff that im calling trading standards so they told me Dont come back ill name and shame VRS in Felling tyne and wear,i rang a few 4x4 garages and one said if they had taken injectors out and wire brushed them clean thats why i had no power but i thought no so i had every thing else checked and new silcone hoses EGR removal kit fuel pump FPR wish i had listened to him and just got some injectors its took about 2 months too sort it out im so happy now i love my defender 90 1999 TD5 fingers crossed its the same problem you have good luck.

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That's interesting... at least I'm dealing with a business that accept their responsibility to put this situation right and it's not costing me anything. It's just taking such a long time. I can't believe how much I miss my Defender too...I've had some very nice new courtesy cars to drive while I wait... but I'd rather have my truck. I will keep you posted. Enjoy your driving and thanks for sharing.

tidd said:

hi when i had my O rings and copper washers done at the garage they said all fixed no white smoke and it starts first turn of the key again,so i payed bill after starting it up in the car park didnt think to test drive it any way drove away thought this not right flat as a fart took it straight back they had it 2 days checking every thing and they said all there work was good so it must been like that when i brought it in no power,they tried to charge me again for checking them 2 days i said stuff that im calling trading standards so they told me Dont come back ill name and shame VRS in Felling tyne and wear,i rang a few 4x4 garages and one said if they had taken injectors out and wire brushed them clean thats why i had no power but i thought no so i had every thing else checked and new silcone hoses EGR removal kit fuel pump FPR wish i had listened to him and just got some injectors its took about 2 months too sort it out im so happy now i love my defender 90 1999 TD5 fingers crossed its the same problem you have good luck.

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Hi Tidd

So... finally getting to a close on my situation. The results from the injector specialist testing in Oz confirmed that all 5 of my injectors had been damaged. They are being fully re-built and shipped back this week so hoping to get my truck back late next week.
They are completing a report on what the damage to the injectors are, but essentially the mechanic (this is the Land Rover agent here in NZ so supposed to be the experts) messed up big time doing a simple seal and washer service on my injectors and buggered all 5 of them.
It has been 3 months since my car went in for injector service. Now, my only concern is who is going to put these re-built injectors in?! And what else have they done to my engine?!!
Tidd... you replaced your injectors yourself....how can a qualified mechanic get it so wrong!!?

Hi LOUNZ,

Im glad your getting it sorted damm injectors it makes you wonder how they knack them,i did change my injectors and O rings & copper washers its not hard im not into fixing cars or landys they normally go too the garage but i read on here how to change them and thought thats easy took me about 2 hours and when i test drove it omg the smile on my face i couldnt belive that id fixed it myself loads power,if i were you read the thread and do it yourself then you no its done properly,the nearest i get to cars is an oil change normally so if i can do it you can,hope its fixed soon all best.

Final update on this thread.
Exactly 3 months later I have my car back.
Essentially the dealer misdiagnosed the original problem and when they got around to fixing the original problem by servicing the injectors with new seals and washers... they completely knackered all 5 of them. They then took 3 months resolving the issue... with a lot of help from me!
Any way... if you have a cold start problem...so running fine when running (and starting fine when started immediately after running, but when left for any length of time takes a lot of turning over to fire up...then most likely is injector seals (not your fuel pump)...all the dealers seem to want to change your expensive fuel pump at the drop of a hat.
THEN...make sure that the supposed experts doing the injector servicing have done a few of these before and know what they are doing.
AND...test drive before you pay for the injector service (as "tidd" would advise). If you are notably down on power... they have stuffed up and you need all your injectors reconditioned or replaced with new.
OR... as many others on this forum....do it yourself!
PLUS...join this forum...it has been more help to me with this problem than all the dealers I've dealt with put together.
GOOD LUCK

Well said!!! It's pretty poor when a garage with apparently qualified mechanics can stuff such a job up!!!! Being an engineer I know it happens and we've all Done it but I hear of garages messing it up all the time!! Considering I found it to be an easy job providing you take your time and only do one at a time lol

Hi LOUNZ,

Im glad its sorted enjoy your truck lol