Hi!
I have a 79 528i with the L Jetronic? FI system and could really use some advice (good or bad, I'll take it all :+). It looks like one of the short pieces of hose that come from the fuel rail to the top of the injector is weeping. Also, it looks like both ends of the hose have pressed fittings.
How would I go about repairing this properly? What is the best way to access the injectors? Do I have to remove the entire intake assembly? I have an old Haynes manual that says to cut the crimped clip off - is this right? What kind of cutter would you use?
Thank you in advance for your comments and help!
Leaking Fuel Injector Hose
Check the FAQ by Adam Wilson, and you can Google search the topic here.
Not a good idea to drive, run the engine with fuel leaking. Basically you will be removing the air cleaner, air/ fuel meter, throttle body, intake manifold (ribs), the parts necessary to access the fuel rail and the bolts that hold the injectors to their manifolds.
Use BMW fuel line. Replace it all, short injector pieces and the longer ones, and the pieces to the fuel pump if old and mushy.
The caps on the injector lines are reusable, no hose clamps needed.
Make notes on how things come apart. Not a hard job except for carefully cutting the old hose off the barbed fittings. NOTICE the flange goes on the hose BEFORE you put the hose on the injector. I.e., look at how it fits together as the new hose must be cut off to start over.
Not a good idea to drive, run the engine with fuel leaking. Basically you will be removing the air cleaner, air/ fuel meter, throttle body, intake manifold (ribs), the parts necessary to access the fuel rail and the bolts that hold the injectors to their manifolds.
Use BMW fuel line. Replace it all, short injector pieces and the longer ones, and the pieces to the fuel pump if old and mushy.
The caps on the injector lines are reusable, no hose clamps needed.
Make notes on how things come apart. Not a hard job except for carefully cutting the old hose off the barbed fittings. NOTICE the flange goes on the hose BEFORE you put the hose on the injector. I.e., look at how it fits together as the new hose must be cut off to start over.
What I read on this website is to make real sure your blade doesn't touch the injector while cutting the hose off. The damaged injector barb will make it hard for a tight fit so it doesn't leak gas. Real sensitive!! So, I guess you should cut in layers & peel/twist the last layer away? Use a new blade in your razor knife & change often for control. Good Luck
The big dawgs will chime in soon.
The big dawgs will chime in soon.
When you cut the hoses off, don't cut all the way through the hose. That's the key. Cut through enough to weaken the hose substantially and it should pull off easily. The blue binder discusses burning the old hoses off. Yeah, I'm not going near that.
As has been said, when you're doing that, it's a good time to replace all of your rubber fuel lines. The hose itself is cheap. Buy only the BMW stuff. Cheap insurance, really. When I first got my M535i running, it was puking fuel out of one of the injector hoses. Replaced them all, along with the injectors.
Also, if you can afford some down time for the car, it might not be a bad idea to send your injectors off for cleaning. It makes a huge difference in how the car runs. I think some folks will even replace the hoses for you.
As has been said, when you're doing that, it's a good time to replace all of your rubber fuel lines. The hose itself is cheap. Buy only the BMW stuff. Cheap insurance, really. When I first got my M535i running, it was puking fuel out of one of the injector hoses. Replaced them all, along with the injectors.
Also, if you can afford some down time for the car, it might not be a bad idea to send your injectors off for cleaning. It makes a huge difference in how the car runs. I think some folks will even replace the hoses for you.
Do yourself a favor, take some spray carb cleaner and clean off the leaking area real well first. Then start the car and watch it to see where it's leaking from. Hoses certainly can and do leak, but I've had plenty of injectors over the years that leaked too, and it's all in the same neighborhood. You really don't want to do the job twice.
If the hose is original, it's amazingly tough, it'll take a while to get thru. I use an exacto knife and just keep working at it a little at a time. For new hose, get the good stuff from BMW, most aftermarket fuel line, even FI rated fuel line, doesn't hold up well.
If the hose is original, it's amazingly tough, it'll take a while to get thru. I use an exacto knife and just keep working at it a little at a time. For new hose, get the good stuff from BMW, most aftermarket fuel line, even FI rated fuel line, doesn't hold up well.
Mike W.
02 525ita. Wife's, aka grocery getter
02 530i. New to the fleet, 3 pedals.
03 QX4, AKA the Datsun. Finally got the 4WD vacationmoble to stop smoking.
07 Xterra. Still on the DL, a purchase from hell.
02 525ita. Wife's, aka grocery getter
02 530i. New to the fleet, 3 pedals.
03 QX4, AKA the Datsun. Finally got the 4WD vacationmoble to stop smoking.
07 Xterra. Still on the DL, a purchase from hell.
I am not sure if your 1979 has the same fuel rail as my 1977. If it does, then you can check out the photos that I posted regarding this job.
You will definitely have to take the intake parts off to get to this area. While you are in there, you likely will want to check all the rubber parts.
Om the case of a car with the EGR emmisions system, the removal of the intake is a bit more difficult. Just a heads up.
You will definitely have to take the intake parts off to get to this area. While you are in there, you likely will want to check all the rubber parts.
Om the case of a car with the EGR emmisions system, the removal of the intake is a bit more difficult. Just a heads up.
1977 BMW 530i
1973 R75/5 BMW (motorcycle)
1973 R75/5 BMW (motorcycle)
Thanks to everyone for their excellent comments and advice, especially with respect to safety! (yes, the Haynes manual also suggests burning off the hose with a soldering iron).
I found a shop about an hour away from me that will test and rebuild each injector for $20/ea. I've used FI cleaners in the past but since everything is coming off, test and rebuild seems the reasonable way to go. My nearest BMW dealer is also in that area if I need parts.
Can anyone think of any other parts (gaskets?) I will need to do this job? The injector cleaner said he would install new hose (at cost) if I brought my whole rail in.
Thank you again for your help and time!
I found a shop about an hour away from me that will test and rebuild each injector for $20/ea. I've used FI cleaners in the past but since everything is coming off, test and rebuild seems the reasonable way to go. My nearest BMW dealer is also in that area if I need parts.
Can anyone think of any other parts (gaskets?) I will need to do this job? The injector cleaner said he would install new hose (at cost) if I brought my whole rail in.
Thank you again for your help and time!
Injector seals, large and small. autopartswarehouse.com is good and reasonable, point being there can be a large price difference for the same rubber circles. Go shopping.
The red paper washers and little triangles that go under the injector flange bolts. I saved a few from parts cars, some fell apart coming off, easy to lose.
I think they are custom dealer spendy, don't know if not replacing any missing risks death.
The red paper washers and little triangles that go under the injector flange bolts. I saved a few from parts cars, some fell apart coming off, easy to lose.
I think they are custom dealer spendy, don't know if not replacing any missing risks death.
Well, Mr. Murphy was hard at work. When I picked up my injectors after having them tested, they worked fine so the tech did not rebuild/replace anything. It was of course late Friday afternoon and I scrambled around trying to find the small injector seals and larger rubber (cushion?) rings. The BMW dealer only had one of each in stock so I tried an import repair specialist garage a few blocks away. They did not have anything in stock but one of the techs remembered doing a rebuild a few months back and was sure they still had some around. He searched for almost 30 min. and ended up finding a set of small and big rubbers. I paid almost $40 (BMW price?) but it was worth it for his effort. When I got back to my small town and started replacing the big rubbers, I put the "snap" in snap ring working on the fifth injector. So as the sun was setting I frantically drove around town trying to find what looks like a 13/16" external snap ring. No luck; found a 7/8" but it is pretty sloppy. I worked sat, sun, mon. at my real job and now I will continue my quest Tuesday morning. Nothing like a real life lesson in having all your parts together BEFORE you start a job!
Thank you all for the parts tips! Unfortunately as far as car parts go, I live in northern Alberta, Canada. Our NAPA's do not carry close to the same inventory as the stores in the states. I called the dealer and BMW Canada stopped carrying these parts about 10 years ago. I think the parts tech said some place like Maximillian out of Baltimore bought out their inventory (1-800-950-2002 if anyone is interested). I sniffed out a suitable replacement in the big city and will post details when I return in case of interest (the correct size is 22mm).
I think if I was to do it all again, it might be worth it from a time perspective to just buy rebuilt injectors.
I think if I was to do it all again, it might be worth it from a time perspective to just buy rebuilt injectors.