Changed fuel injectors now bigger issues?

Tiny
JUSTINEIFIED
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 TOYOTA CELICA
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 170 MILES
I just got this car a few months ago. Everything seemed fine. I didn't notice a slight knock higher RPMs, but it's an old car.
Anyway, I decided to upgrade fuel injectors to 12 hole. Without doing research of any kind. Just swap old for new.

Well long story short, the car refused to start, gas leaking from injectors.
replaced seals and I know dirt got in the hole. So, I assume one or more was clogged including fuel line perhaps, IDK, but I didn't Clean injectors as I should of, I just sprayed them with parts cleaner and injector cleaner.

Okay, I fixed the fuel leak. Proud of myself. But the car still didn't want to start. I refuse to give up and when it finally did start lots of smoke, and rough idling etc, etc. So, no fuel leaking.I then cleaned and changed the connections to injectors and ignition. That made allot improvement. Then it went bad again.


So, I pulled off the valve cover and I noticed my spark plugs were completely drenched with oil. Now the valve cover gasket looks brand new, it's one of those think one pieceer.

Now I noticed a slight bend under valve cover where the spark plug tube is. So, since I am not a darn rocket scientist, I tried to tap the bend straight, but instead that tiny bend decided to sprout wings and fly away out of range and focus of my eyeballs. So now I got a chip.

super Glue! Yes. So, I super glue the gasket back on and add a tiny rubber piece to cover the chipped area and glue the shit out of that.

Put my enhanced cover back on, cleaned and sanded plugs. Cleaned up any oil everywhere.

The car started immediately and sounded like all 4 cylinders this time. Still some white smoke, but hay, I'm freaking proud as heck. Especially it being 3:00 am and 2 degrees out.

I let it idle for 5 minutes and since I was freezing, I patiently waited for heat. Engine doesn't seem to want to get hot in timely fashion as " normal". So, I go for a quick 2 minute spin up the street.

As soon as I get back, I heard my cooling fans turn on, then I smelled antifreeze. And car slowly dwindled back to rough idling, then stalled, and the battery didn't hold a charge so I couldn't restart it unless I get my charger which is old and heavy.


So, it's dark. Get my phone flashlight. See red liquid draining from a new radiator which also spewed over the engine.
.

I hooked up charger, restarted the car, pulled it the 10 feet it needed to go to be fully covered in my non heated garage.

I go to bed thinking of selling it for scrap.


Now that I made a long story even longer.

My best uneducated guess would be blown head gasket but oil isn't milky-ish but it does smell like fuel and there never was any oil leaking around head or valve cover.

The no heat is a symptom. Mm.

I should have never touched this car to begin with. Don't fix something that isn't broken.
Tuesday, November 28th, 2023 AT 3:24 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
MONSTERTRUCKDADDY
  • MECHANIC
  • 31 POSTS
Hello Justinefied, it definitely sounds like you've got your hands full.

If you didn't have a head gasket / overheating issue before, hopefully that's probably not the case now.

The fuel injectors you swapped in if they are a higher flow rate than stock, which could be causing your issue why it's not running well. The ECU is tuned for a certain injector flow rate and will open and close the injectors accordingly. If you put a higher rate injector in, it will be running very rich, which will make it stumble and smell like fuel. Possibly fouling the catalytic converter. So, you definitely want to make sure you've got the right injectors in there.

Oil in the spark plug holes is a common issue that comes up on OHC engines. Simply just needs a valve cover gasket replaced and clean them out. If the coil boots are soaked in oil, you may want to replace them as well as new plugs while you are at it.

As far as it is overheating, you'll want to get that figured out. Where was the coolant leaking from? Was a hose just loose or a small leak elsewhere? Get some coolant back in there and pressure test it to 2-3psi over cap pressure and see if you can track down any leaks.

Please let us know if you need help along the way. Great group of techs here that will be able to help get you sorted out!
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Tuesday, November 28th, 2023 AT 4:35 AM
Tiny
JUSTINEIFIED
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Oh, thanks for replying. The radiator is leaking out, I can see it. The radiator was just replaced by the prior owner. I also wasn't sure if I hooked up the vacuum hoses / PVC. I also had no heat right before I started losing coolant. I did read after the fact I should have never put in higher grade injectors. But wouldn't the ECU adjust to it after disconnecting the battery for say few hours? So, I'll give this a go one more time, I'll try.

1. Flush out the system and add new coolant, checking heater core.
2. Full tune up, new oil, with filter, plugs, and coils.
3. New valve cover gasket, but since I super glued it I may need to replace the valve cover, idk.
4. I'm broke.
5. Radiator. Get used one cheap or plug it, additive perhaps.
6. Getting more broke.
7. Check all fuses.
8. What am I missing? Besides I can't afford any of this.
9.

10.

11.

.

What day is it?
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Tuesday, November 28th, 2023 AT 7:45 AM
Tiny
MONSTERTRUCKDADDY
  • MECHANIC
  • 31 POSTS
The ECU will try to adjust fuel trim LT and ST based on the O2 sensor feedback. If you swapped in a larger injector, it would try less and less fuel until it hits a pre-set adjustment limit. If you still have the original injectors, you may want to find a shop that can service them and see if there is anything wrong. If they are okay, I'd suggest installing them.

You'd only need a different injector for a high-performance build. If it's a relatively stock engine. Keep the stock injectors or replace them with same flow rate ie. 42lbs/hr or whatever your car calls for.

The rest of it sounds like you have a general handle on. If you have any questions on the diagnostic steps you may need to get into as you go along, please keep us posted.

Thanks
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Wednesday, November 29th, 2023 AT 8:52 AM

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