common issues?

[fred633]

What do I need to do to a N54B30 with an automatic (I think it is a 6hp19) if I buy it used and don't have history on it? Anything to look out for or replace at 75k miles?

[RocketSurgeon]

Waterpump/thermostat
High pressure fuel pump
Walnut blast intake valves
Fuel injectors if below index 11
Valve cover/gasket
Oil filter housing gasket
Engine mounts
Serpentine belt

Obviously these are things that can go bad, not necessarily things that will be bad. Watch the motor mounts, as bad ones can allow the serpentine belt to get shredded against the subframe, where it will subsequently get stuffed through the front crankshaft seal where it will wreck the engine. The valve covers can crack, so watch for leaks. Lower index injectors were more prone to leaks/failure.

[fred633]

How do you test the fuel injectors for index? I assume index is some kind of measurement scale for injectors?

[RocketSurgeon]

How do you test the fuel injectors for index? I assume index is some kind of measurement scale for injectors?

The index is like a version number, it's printed on the actual injector. Very early index 01 injectors were decent, later revisions up to index 9 were kind of problematic, then index 11 and 12 are pretty good. Index 11 and up are preferable because you can replace a single bad injector with a new one. Index 11 and newer injectors cannot be used on a bank containing lower indexes, so you need to change 3 injectors at a time, or try your luck with used ones. I think the only way to know what's in the car is to remove the plastic engine cover and physically look at the numbers printed on the injectors. There are separate numbers on each individual injector used to code it to the car.

[slides]

How does index 10 rate? i just noticed i had those when i did my spark plugs.

[RocketSurgeon]

How does index 10 rate? i just noticed i had those when i did my spark plugs.

Index 10 is pretty good, 10-12 are all pretty solid. Index 9 had a particularly horrible reputation.

[TonyAngel]

Are you saying that changing the injectors requires having them coded to the car?

[RocketSurgeon]

Are you saying that changing the injectors requires having them coded to the car?

The DFI injectors need to be coded to the car, so the n54, n55, N63, etc. The n52 and non-DFI engines don't require injector coding. It sounds more intensive than it is, it takes under 5 minutes if you have ISTA+ or INPA.

[Basedtiger]

Will I see the number of the index on the injectors?


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[RocketSurgeon]

Yes, it's the little number in the top right corner, after the hyphen. It will be a number between 1 and 12.