Injector died -> Hydrolock on gasoline -> lots of smok

Heads, valves, pistons, rods, crankshaft, etc...

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biggreen96
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Injector died -> Hydrolock on gasoline -> lots of smok

Post by biggreen96 »

I got a injector code, so I swapped the injectors on the pass side rail to determine if it was wiring or the injector itself. Well it turned out to be the injector, but when I swapped them I dropped an o-ring somewhere and installed the injector without it which completely flooded the pass front cylinder. I cranked and it hydrolocked on fuel, shit. I pulled the plug, and cranked without fuel pressure(disconnected the pump) and shot out a LOT of fuel.

I get the new injector today, pop it in, and start it up and its smoking a TON-white smoke. I'm changing the oil right now, and then I'm going to run it again. I hoping its just fuel/oil in the exhaust. But I'm worried I damaged something it the hydrolock episode. Argggg. Oh yeah, it's not making any bad noises either. *crosses fingers*

So have you ever hydrolocked on fuel? What happened? Could I have borked a valve guide or something?
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Post by jake15 »

hydrolocking bends rods.... if you did hydrolock it i think it usually runs like it only has 3 cylinders firing because the bent rod keeps the piston from doing a full stroke and compressing the air/gas....
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Post by PhyrraM »

If it was just cranking over, damage from hydrolocking is unlikely.

You might have washed all the oil off the cylinder walls and might need some time for the rings to reseat. Fuel in the oil is a strong possiblity as rings do have gaps that liquids can pass.
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Post by biggreen96 »

I changed the oil and oh boy was it thin feeling, and smelled like gas.

I don't think I bent a rod, it runs and revs like it used to. There was tons of oil/gas in the exhaust and it took like 10min for it to finally burn away. I hate driving around with a smoking car... and it was smoking BAD.

But I think I got away without any damage. whew.
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Post by biggreen96 »

I didn't get away without damage. hell.

I'm going on the hunt, be back with an update later.
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Post by DLC »

Aw crap :(
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Post by dropdfocus »

So, any further info on the matter? What damage came about from this episode of "How the Engine Turns"?
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Post by biggreen96 »

I am currently replacing the injector seals and going to make sure they are properly seated in the rails so they don't leak into the cylinders. parts will be in on monday.

The turbo oil drain gasket died at the same time this stuff happened which was causing smoke to pour out the hood. and my water pump area started leaking too, I dunno if its all related but I'm going to fix all these probs, and then hope the valve seals or head gaskets weren't damaged after the hydrolock.
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Post by dropdfocus »

Best of luck to ya in getting it all repaired and happy once again.
Jason
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Post by douglas vincent »

Are the pintle caps installed?
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Post by biggreen96 »

these?
Image

if so yes. do those little pintels jump up and down then? I think I had one injector cockeyed and it wasn't working, I could plug and unplug the injector with no change in performance.
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Post by douglas vincent »

No. The pintle cap is the plastic piece on the TIP of the injector. Its main purpose is to keep the o-ring from popping out of the fuel rail. I know this from experience. haha
Reddevil, Awaiting new heart, will it ever happen?
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Post by beatersubi »

How does your coolant look?
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Post by biggreen96 »

I ran pure distilled water this summer, and when I drained it yesterday it still looked like water. Thank god. Didn't have any nasty taste or smell.

Is the pintel cap the black end piece?
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Post by 92ss satinsvoice »

biggreen96 wrote: Didn't have any nasty taste or smell.
what the hell are you doing tasting your coolant?
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biggreen96
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Post by biggreen96 »

It's hot out here, and I was thirsty. Give me a break. What harm can a glass of coolant do?
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Post by beatersubi »

Plus, it tastes so good...
At least you don't have any oil in it, which is a relief, I'm sure.
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biggreen96
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Post by biggreen96 »

update:

The wagon is back in running condition. The injector seals were in really bad condition on the passenger side, which was apparently letting alot of fuel through and making all the smoke.

Properly seating the injectors into the rails was very tough for me, before I had just got them in far enough to the cap on and tighten them in with the screws which apparently does not fly.

This time I used oil to lube the rails and rubber injector seals and pressed and twisted until those little bitches "popped" into place.
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Post by Legacy777 »

Yeah.....the injectors are NOT fun to get seated properly
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Re: Injector died -> Hydrolock on gasoline -> lots of smok

Post by James614 »

I did something similar to myself today putting my fresh injectors back in. My #4 cylinder is full of fuel, I think the injector didn't seat properly going back in. But it was a MASSIVE relief to read there was no apparent mechanical damage from cranking a hydro locked cylinder. My fingers are crossed for myself as well. My oil is was overfull and way thin too. I'm not even gonna crank it again until I get that stuff changed out.

My heart was in my throat when it starter to crank and suddenly stopped like it siezed, possibly the scariest moment in my life (car related at least).
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Re:

Post by robertpaige »

92ss satinsvoice wrote:
biggreen96 wrote: Didn't have any nasty taste or smell.
what the hell are you doing tasting your coolant?
LOL
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Re: Injector died -> Hydrolock on gasoline -> lots of smok

Post by mike-tracy »

James, same thing happened to Florin and also myself. Hydrolocked due to leaking o-rings on the injectors. Mine went one worse and the fuel pressure regulator o-ring where it mates to the fuel rail. It didn't show itself until I fixed the leaking injectors.

Like you, I replaced the oil before I ran it again, after verifying it wasn't leaking. Car has 40k more miles now, no apparent lasting issues. Florin's has several thousand more miles on it, but he wrecked the SS at a drift meet, otherwise I'm sure it'd still be on the road.
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James614
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Re: Injector died -> Hydrolock on gasoline -> lots of smok

Post by James614 »

Just got it running again. No change from before... *phew*. The problem injector wound up pinching that flat rubber spacer piece into the groove with the lower O-ring, and although I forced it to "seat" in there, neither sealed properly. When I drain the oil it was a flipping waterfall that overflowed my drain pan in a hurry, and caused me to spend an hour with some kitty litter containing a spill almost the size of my car.

When putting the injector back in, I used oil on that spacer which stopped it from trying to dangle down as I installed the injector. That specific problem solved. Now car runs just as shitty as before this mess.
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