GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Table 1: Injector Balance Test Example (Typical)
Table 2: Fuel Injector Balance Test Procedure

Object Number: 17713  Size: SF
(1)First Reading
(2)Second Reading

Injector Balance Test Example (Typical)

Cylinder

1

2

3

4

1st Reading

296 kPa (43 psi)

296 kPa (43 psi)

296 kPa (43 psi)

296 kPa (43 psi)

2nd Reading

131 kPa (19 psi)

117 kPa (17 psi)

124 kPa (18 psi)

145 kPa (21 psi)

Amount of Drop

165 kPa (24 psi)

179 kPa (26 psi)

172 kPa (25 psi)

151 kPa (22 psi)

Average Range: 156-176 kPa (22.5-25.5 psi)

Injector OK

Faulty injector - too much fuel drop

Injector OK

Faulty injector - too little fuel drop

Test Description

Caution: Wrap a shop towel around the fuel pressure connection in order to reduce the risk of fire and personal injury. The towel will absorb any fuel leakage that occurs during the connection of the fuel pressure gage. Place the towel in an approved container when the connection of the fuel pressure gage is complete.

  1. The engine coolant temperature must be below the operating temperature in order to avoid irregular fuel pressure readings due to Hot Soak fuel boiling.

  2. The fuel pressure should be within the specified range. If the fuel pressure is not within the specified range, go to Fuel System Diagnosis .

  3. The fuel pressure should reach a steady value. If the fuel pressure does not reach a steady value, go to Fuel System Diagnosis .

  4. If the pressure drop value for each fuel injector is within 10 kPa (1.5 psi) of the average pressure drop value, the fuel injectors are flowing properly. Calculate the pressure drop value for each fuel injector by subtracting the second pressure reading from the first pressure reading. Refer to the illustration above.

Fuel Injector Balance Test Procedure

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

1

Did you perform the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

Did you perform the Fuel Injector Coil Test?

--

Go to Step 3

Go to Fuel Injector Solenoid Coil Test - Engine Coolant Temperature Between 10-35 Degrees C (50-95 Degrees F)

3

Is the engine coolant temperature above the specified value?

94°C (201°F)

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 5

4

Allow the engine to cool below the specified value.

Is the engine coolant temperature below the specified value?

94°C (201°F)

Go to Step 5

--

5

    Caution: Remove the fuel tank cap and relieve the fuel system pressure before servicing the fuel system in order to reduce the risk of personal injury. After you relieve the fuel system pressure, a small amount of fuel may be released when servicing the fuel lines, the fuel injection pump, or the connections. In order to reduce the risk of personal injury, cover the fuel system components with a shop towel before disconnection. This will catch any fuel that may leak out. Place the towel in an approved container when the disconnection is complete.

  1. Install the J 29658-D fuel pressure gauge.
  2. Energize the fuel pump with the scan tool.
  3. Place the bleed hose of the fuel pressure gauge into an approved gasoline container.
  4. Bleed the air out of the fuel pressure gauge.
  5. Pressurize the fuel system with the scan tool.
  6. Wait for the fuel pressure to build.
  7. Important: Repeat pressurizing the fuel system with the scan tool as necessary to achieve the highest possible fuel pressure.

  8. Observe the reading on the fuel pressure gauge.

Is the fuel pressure within the specified limits?

284-325 kPa (41-47 psi)

Go to Step 6

Go to Fuel System Diagnosis

6

Turn OFF the fuel pump.

Does the fuel pressure remain constant?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Fuel System Diagnosis

7

  1. Connect the J 39021 fuel injector tester to a fuel injector.
  2. Set the amperage supply selector switch on the fuel injector tester to the Balance Test 0.5-2.5 amp position.
  3. Turn the fuel pump ON then OFF in order to pressurize the fuel system.
  4. Record the fuel pressure indicated by the fuel pressure gauge after the fuel pressure stabilizes. This is the first pressure reading.
  5. Energize the fuel injector by depressing the Push to Start Test button on the fuel injector tester.
  6. Record the fuel pressure indicated by the fuel pressure gauge after the fuel pressure gauge needle has stopped moving. This is the second pressure reading.
  7. Repeat steps 1 through 6 for each fuel injector.
  8. Subtract the second pressure reading from the first pressure reading for one fuel injector. The result is the pressure drop value.
  9. Obtain a pressure drop value for each fuel injector.
  10. Add all of the individual pressure drop values. This is the total pressure drop.
  11. Divide the total pressure drop by the number of fuel injectors. This is the average pressure drop.

Does any fuel injector have a pressure drop value that is either higher than the average pressure drop or lower than the average pressure drop by the specified value?

10 kPa (1.5 psi)

Go to Step 8

Go to Symptoms

8

Notice: Do not repeat any portion of this test before running the engine in order to prevent the engine from flooding.

Re-test any fuel injector that does not meet the specification. Refer to the procedure in Step 7.

Does any fuel injector still have a pressure drop value that is either higher than the average pressure drop or lower than the average pressure drop by the specified value?

10 kPa (1.5 psi)

Go to Step 9

Go to Symptoms

9

Replace the malfunctioning fuel injectors. Refer to Sequential Multiport Fuel Injector Replacement

Is the action complete?

--

System OK

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