What lube for fuel injector seals?

[gvr4ever]

I found another boost leak at my fuel injectors. I ordered another seal kit, but trying to research what lube to use, I get mixed results. Some people use motor oil, others use gas, and others use silicone grease. I tried searching, and FIC doesn't seem to have a recommendation. I was leaning towards silicone grease just cause it's rubber safe, and oil usually not.

Just wanted some feed back.

 

[JNR]

What material, EPDM (syn. rubber) or Viton?

• For EPDM = Silicone/dielectric grease works well on rubber. Never use petroleum jelly on this material (or rubber in general), it will lead to degradation. Would avoid engine oil, as well.
• For Viton = You can use engine oil, or the aforementioned silicone.

If you're unsure, use Silicone grease...note if you use Silicon Spray (works), do it on a rag first to best avoid the propellant ingredients.

Whatever you choose, apply it as a really light film. Probably could just put them in dry, provided they're seated properly, etc.

 

[gvr4ever]

I'm not sure. They are the FIC brand. I wasn't able to find anything with an internet search, and it's not under FIC's FAQs. It's just like I'm supposed to know. My last set didn't last very long, and I'm not sure what I did wrong, but I have a huge boost leak from one injector. Waiting for another set to come in. In this case, I feel the error was in my part, and I'm trying to do it right this time. Waiting for the parts to come in.

 

[JNR]

I'm not sure. They are the FIC brand. I wasn't able to find anything with an internet search, and it's not under FIC's FAQs. It's just like I'm supposed to know. My last set didn't last very long, and I'm not sure what I did wrong, but I have a huge boost leak from one injector. Waiting for another set to come in. In this case, I feel the error was in my part, and I'm trying to do it right this time. Waiting for the parts to come in.

Definitely triple-check the seals are going in perfectly straight as you seat the injector(s), plus obviously be sure they are the correct size.

Had FIC injectors for a little while and want to say there was something different about the o-rings or more so how far down they seated compared to say the Denso units. Want to say FIC was higher, except it's been quite some time. Don't recall having any issues but never felt 100% comfortable on how they sat. This may just have been in my case though, for whatever reason.

 

[gvr4ever]

Ya, they are different. They have a black o-ring that sits below the blue one, and I'm not sure it has an obvious seat. The blue one has an indention where it sits. I did put the last set in dry, that's why I think it's probably my fault. I'll try using a very light film of silicone grease. Same stuff I use on spark plugs. I did get some seriously fun 20+psi for awhile, but I blew something out. I might have torn something installing them dry. Overall, not a big deal, just annoying. Hopefully I'll be pushed in my seat again. soon.

Edit, I know I got the right kit.

 

[gvr4ever]

Parts are in, and I started, but we are in a heat wave, with heat index in the high 90s. Didn't get done in one day, but I also had many other things that had to get done.

 

[JNR]

Parts are in, and I started, but we are in a heat wave, with heat index in the high 90s. Didn't get done in one day, but I also had many other things that had to get done.

Figures the weather would be like that when you need to work on something, that seems to happen to me all the time, lol.

Was going to suggest maybe put the o-rings in the freezer (with the injector) overnight and take them out right before putting them in. That will shrink them a little and perhaps help alignment and proper depth without 'trying'.

 

[gvr4ever]

Figures the weather would be like that when you need to work on something, that seems to happen to me all the time, lol.

Was going to suggest maybe put the o-rings in the freezer (with the injector) overnight and take them out right before putting them in. That will shrink them a little and perhaps help alignment and proper depth without 'trying'.

Last time, I wasn't in the mood to cut the factory wire and solder in the 2G style connector clips, and I had to spin the injectors to install those stupid factory spring clips, possibly damaging the seals, IDK. I'm not sure if the valve cover is suppose to come off, or what, but this time, I'm installing the press on connectors. I know how to do it properly, but I'm still not looking forward to cutting factory wires. It's just something I'm not used to doing. I'm more into DIY audio, than car wiring. So, just out of my element.

 

[JNR]

Know what you mean about cutting the factory wires. Made a COP setup many years ago but luckily was able to use a spare connector to build from. Bet the fuel injector wires are quite small (AWG) so that'll be fun butt-splicing or whatever method you choose. Might not be a bad idea to look into some bullet connectors or something so that way next time you can remove them w/o worry about any of the wiring, or even needing to pull the injector connector/clip off. Rather, undo the 'bullets' and pop off injector. Would probably do them in such a way as not being able to reverse it, although not sure if it uses polarity (i.e. does it matter)...say put a female on one wire and male off the other from injector, then opposite on the 'harness end'. This way it's impossible to reverse them.