3008 61 reg, 1.6 diesel - eating fuel injectors

[james-o]

Hi, first post here, hoping for some leads that might get to the cause of repeated fuel injector failures on my 3008. 2 went in 2022, then the other 2 in 2024. Each time there was a clear point where the engine went from normal to running on 2 cyclinders. All replaced with good refurbs at a garage I know and trust. Another went yesterday so it's not durability of parts. Car does ~7,000 miles a year, a pretty relaxed driver, generally longer 1hr plus drives and 2hr commutes not local trips.

Possible factors -
Fuel dirt? The timescale they've gone in makes it less likely to be a bad fuel filter or blockage (I think) and I generally fill up at the Esso place nearby.
Electronics? The ESP brake warning light comes on at the time the engine fault comes up that then leads to the injector code on diagnostics.

Google suggests Adblue or ECU faults may be linked but I would have thought diagnostics could show that up? The local garage isn't a specialist with the more detailed diagnostics though.

The odd thing is that a while ago the engne fault came up and there wass uneven power (cyclinder nt firing kind of feel) while exiting a main road into a services, then after 30 mins turned off the engine restarted and idled/reved ok and was fine since. Yesterday the same thing happened - fault code and uneven power, then a noraml idle and rev after 15 mins or so turned off, bu then the engine light came on again so I called the recovery truck.

It seems there is something happening to trigger a fault light/code yet this time the injectors or cylinders can fire normally afterwards, for a time at least. Perhaps the injector has an intermittent fault. All suggests electrical issues to me but I'm no car mechanic.

Any tips or thoughts? Thanks,
James

[RichardW]

Welcome along.

Injectors a are a weak point on this engine - the originals lasting 10+ years is good going. I'm not entirely surprised a recon injector has not lasted that long....

The ESP light is a red herring, this comes on when there is an engine fault as the data flow to the ABS is interrupted. Fit another (new / branded) injector and it should be good for a few years.