my car was running rich... really rich (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tukD3X-pXds). so i decided to check the injectors to check the o-rings and make sure they weren't stuck. when i got to pulling them, 3 our of 4 pulled out with the bottom o-ring and and plastic "tip" left in the fuel rails. i was like WTF. so to check out what was wrong, i pulled the rails and punched the tips and o-rings out from the other side. close inspection revealed that all of the tips had cracks running down the sides. i'll be replacing the injectors, but am wondering if this would cause my car to run rich or whether i should keep looking while it's all apart. here's a pic of an injector in case you don't know what tips i'm talking about... it's the maroon piece at the very bottom.

http://www.witchhunter.com/images/early%20Bosch.jpg

 

Those tips I believe are called the Pintle Caps. I think they pretty much just hold the lower o-ring on the injector, and the o-ring is what keeps the fuel from the rail in place. Cracking the cap should not cause fuel to leak in and run rich.

You should definitely get reconditioned injectors. Lube the o-rings on reinstallation and pressurize the fuel rail while it's unbolted from the engine block. Here is where you'll detect any leaks.

Dave

 

dang, i was hoping that was the reason... but i agree it's the o-ring that holds back the fuel. i will definitely pressurize the rail to check for leaks before it all goes back together... thanks!