I'm replacing head gasket / timing chain / etc. on a 1993 22re. Put everything back together, there was a proper rain of gasoline upon cranking. I didn't realize that the fuel injectors were missing some o-rings and some of the plastic pintle caps had cracked and broken off.

The pintle caps were impossible to find locally, I called every single place. Long story but didn't really have time to wait for an internet order, so I bought injector o-ring kits at Autozone and put those on without the pintle caps. Everything seems to be running pretty well now. I've read that the function of the pintle caps is to hold the bottom o-ring in place. Is it dangerous / unwise to run without those?

(picture to see what I'm talking about)

 

Not so far as I can tell. I ran with two missing for a few years.

But when I last removed the injectors, yes, I waited the few days for an internet order to do it correctly.

 

I have seen a lot of trucks without them with no problems.

 

Thanks for the info! Have no desire to get the plenum / fuel rail / etc etc off again.