Hello from the colonies - project car by Lotusflight.

[TorqueHorse]

Well done! That's a tricky connector to get loose without damaging the plastic/nylon bits.

[lotusflight]

While I am waiting for the new injectors to come in, decided to look inside the ports with one of those usb endoscope cameras. Valves looked really clean, but I noticed there is what looks like oil in the top part of the port. Is that a bad cam cover gasket? Can you guys advise?

[TorqueHorse]

Valve cover leaks in the past I've seen leaking into the spark plug well and also on the outside of the head, so if you aren't seeing any of that as well, then I don't think this is that.
Going back to basics, have you done a compression test and leak down test (with the engine cold, since that is when you report the rough running)?
In addition, check your throttle body and also your PCV valve, and the intake of the turbo to see if there are oil deposits there.

To me, it looks like oil is getting into your air mixture somehow (and not from the valve guides since your valve tops look good) so I'd suspect rings not sealing when cold causing blow-by (compression/leakdown test can help identify); broken PCV valve causing blow-by; Failing/blown turbo causing oil to leak into intake gases.

If the car runs better when warm, then that might also point to the rings theory, since they could be expanding and making a better seal when warmed up. But, I could be totally wrong. The best bet is to download the right troubleshooting manual (we have the closed loop system) from the manuals tab and find the section in the very back that matches your symptoms and go through the checklist.

If the new injectors solve your rough running/start-up issue though, and the PCV valve isn't the problem, any you aren't noticing a change in your oil level between oil change intervals, then I wouldn't worry about it.

[lotusflight]

My compression test results before I pulled the fuel injectors

1<150>
2<140>
3<143>
4<150>

[awaken101]

I was texting a lot with Sailbad as he was going through that last week. He ended up going with a set of these and now his car is running back to normal. Hopefully he can comment to confirm his experience

(I'd post a link to the ones a couple of us got from ebay before, but when I checked last week, that seller was sold out)

Damn Matt, those look similar to the ones I got. Different part number tho.. mine are from Delphi.

Also remanufactured, but a good amount cheaper so I thought will give them a go and report back here.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/402100526385?m ... media=COPY

Damn Alex, those are less than half what I paid for mine, please let me know if they are working well. Are you planning to add an Everest chip? Someone correct me if I'm wrong but. it's been a minute since I purchased new injectors (haven't been installed yet). If I can recall correctly, when I was scouring LEC about the Everest, I ended up purchasing some Upgraded Delphis from recommendations here. Pretty sure they'll be fine. I've been waiting to get the Everest plugged in when the engine goes in for a new timing belt, water pump & cylinder head that need machining, and then add the Everest chip from RonR (Alex, grab one!) so now I'm a lil worried my injectors will not fit the bill. Just me being my paranoid self.

My apologies if I ended up taking this thread back a little. Lotusflight & TorqueHorse brought up something I too have had questions about.

[lotusflight]

Yes those are working well. Ebay link is still good. Haven't taken the car out on extended drive yet (still need to replace my injector connectors and clips), but the engine runs a lot smoother now with these remanufactured injectors. And the price was right.

I was texting a lot with Sailbad as he was going through that last week. He ended up going with a set of these and now his car is running back to normal. Hopefully he can comment to confirm his experience

(I'd post a link to the ones a couple of us got from ebay before, but when I checked last week, that seller was sold out)

Damn Matt, those look similar to the ones I got. Different part number tho.. mine are from Delphi.

Also remanufactured, but a good amount cheaper so I thought will give them a go and report back here.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/402100526385?m ... media=COPY

Damn Alex, those are less than half what I paid for mine, please let me know if they are working well. Are you planning to add an Everest chip? Someone correct me if I'm wrong but. it's been a minute since I purchased new injectors (haven't been installed yet). If I can recall correctly, when I was scouring LEC about the Everest, I ended up purchasing some Upgraded Delphis from recommendations here. Pretty sure they'll be fine. I've been waiting to get the Everest plugged in when the engine goes in for a new timing belt, water pump & cylinder head that need machining, and then add the Everest chip from RonR (Alex, grab one!) so now I'm a lil worried my injectors will not fit the bill. Just me being my paranoid self.

My apologies if I ended up taking this thread back a little. Lotusflight & TorqueHorse brought up something I too have had questions about.