Can we talk about the absurdity of diesel injector break-in rituals?

Yesterday, I watched a colleague perform an elaborate ceremony to 'break in' fresh diesel injectors, complete with specific RPM holds, and I couldn't stop laughing, lol. Here's my hot take: this whole process is outdated and unnecessary for today's precision components, despite what the old-timers say. What's the most absurd maintenance ritual you've witnessed in a shop?

4 comments

4 Comments

mason_martin1mo ago

Man, that reminds me of the transmission fluid guys. Saw a tech once who insisted you had to pour it through a special paper funnel while the car was exactly level, chanting the gear ratios under his breath. He'd get mad if anyone talked during it. Some people just invent whole religions around a simple fluid change.

brookelewis1mo ago

What about guys who treat a simple parts swap like open heart surgery? Mason_martin's story reminds me of a lube tech who used a torque wrench on drain plugs and would check them three times. Some rituals just make a five minute job take half an hour.

taylor.sean1mo ago

Ever trace where that injector voodoo started?

drew551mo ago

Chanting gear ratios under his breath? That's honestly kinda shocking. I've seen guys be careful, but making it a full ritual with no talking is something else. Idk, maybe it's just me, but that sounds like superstition taken too far. Like, does chanting actually help the transmission work better?