LLY: balance rates

butch2000

New member
Jun 19, 2012
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another more helpfull forum
I have read a lot here about injector balance rates , some say it's a guide to injector condition , some say not ? any way to clear a bit of fog away from this ? what are considered good balance rates ? what does it mean when you have a negative reading on one or more ? thanks
 

Virgmaxedout

professional shit starter
Oct 28, 2014
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Riverside, CA
Its good to monitor them regularly, a little two stroke or a diesel additive helps injector health considerably!:thumb:
- virgil
 

OregonDMAX

NOT IN OREGON, NO DURAMAX
Apr 28, 2013
3,964
8
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Goodyear, AZ
People worry to much about balance rates. Unless you are having a fuel knock, smoke, or misfire there's really no need to check them.

Yep^

Balance rates don't always mean bad injectors either, if they are high - or + its an indication you should have a return rate test done.
 

02greysixer

Active member
Jun 4, 2011
1,829
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North Central FL
I do not remember specs but basically you disconnect the return lines from the tops of the injectors one bank at a time and run temp lines into 4 graduated cylinders. Run the engine for x amount of time and compare the amount of fuel in each graduate to the spec. If more is returned to graduates than spec the injectors. But if you are not experiencing a problem such as hard start or inability to build rail pressure there's no need to worry about that test either

Balance rates are not a good indicator of whether or not a return rate test needs done either. All 8 can have high returns and perfect balance rates. All balance rates are good for is calling out one or maybe a few bad injectors

Basically if your truck is running fine, building proper rail pressure and not smoking just drive it and enjoy it. You'll make yourself crazy worrying all the time about balance and return rates
 
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Harbin_22

Active member
Dec 4, 2010
3,858
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Southern Indiana
I know they aren't that important if you don't have a problem but it does bug me that all mine are less than 0.8 expect 2 of them. One is usually around -2.3ish and the other around +3.2ish. I have checked compression and rechecked the valves. Need to move the injectors around still. I could be chasing a non existent problem but it will bug the heck out of me. They are new LBZ exergys too
 

02greysixer

Active member
Jun 4, 2011
1,829
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North Central FL
One could be a little low because the other is a little high or vice versa. Depends on where they are in the firing order. One may be slightly over fueling so it's pulling a little fuel from the next one. It's in spec though. Moving them around would for sure isolate if it is injector though.

Fwiw last time I looked at my balance rates I had one at +5.x and a couple other that were borderline out of spec +/-. I checked a couple times and they were always about the same. That's been close to a year ago and 25k miles. Haven't looked since. I have no rail pressure issues and my truck is one of the quieter lly I have driven.