Is your car’s frequent stuttering or misfiring due to clogged fuel injectors, or a more serious problem? You probably do not want the latter, so you must confirm if your system’s fuel injectors cause the trouble.
Before cracking your engine’s lid open, check to see if your car is behaving differently. Does it have starting issues, frequent stutters, poor idles, popping check engine lights, or is it causing frequent fuel refill? If so, your fuel injector needs cleaning regularly.
See, cleaning fuel injectors can avoid the troubles above and create more problems like:
- Failed test emissions
- Engine failure
- Air and fuel meter problems
- Insufficient RPM
It may even cause you to require deep cleaning, which you should perform with deep caution. For worse case scenarios, you may need to remove the entire system, replace it, or bring it to professionals.
If the fuel injectors are clogged and dirty, let’s start preparing.
How to Clean Fuel Injectors
Before cleaning fuel injectors, you have to prepare yourself, the supplies and tools you need, and your workspace too.
What to Expect
Processing Time: It may take from 30 to 60 minutes.
Expertise:
- Using fuel injectors for beginners
- Using fuel system cleaning kit for beginners intermediate DIYers
- Manual cleaning (only for experts!)
Vehicle parts involved:
For beginners using fuel injectors:
- Fuel tank
- Fuel meter
For beginner to intermediate DIYers using fuel injection cleaning system kit:
- Engine
- Fuel tank
- Fuel injectors
Safety first!
Since you decided to do the cleaning, it will expose you to the machine and hazardous chemicals. Single friction can ignite a fire, especially since the system runs with fumes. What you need is to protect yourself, even when you’re only using a cleaner.
- Protect your hands with a pair of nitrile gloves. Powdered latex is not advisable for cleaning fuel injectors since it contains powders that may add to the dirt. Nitrile gloves can withstand different chemicals, giving your hands fewer chances of inhibiting allergies.
- Protect your arms with long-sleeved working clothes.
- Use a safety mask or a respirator since cleaning will expose you to fumes.
- Protect your eyes with safety goggles.
Things to Prepare
Getting the right things you need before doing so will save you much time and possible errors. The best thing to do is to have a checklist before pulling out your car’s hood.
Tools you need
- Wrench
- Socket set
- Drip pan
Parts involved
Using Fuel Injector Cleaner (beginners)
- Fuel injector cleaner
Using a DIY fuel injector cleaning kit (for intermediate DIYers)
- A fuel injector cleaning kit, or
- Fuel system cleaner
- A flexible hose
- Hose clamps
- New fuel injector O’rings (if needed)
Arranging Your Workspace
You must be using the garage or nearby parking so keep it tidy. Ensure that you have organized the tools, kit accessories, and solution within easy reach. Use a rolling tool bag or a hand carrying toolbox to organize your tools.
How To Clean Fuel Injectors: (Step by Step Instructions)
Using Fuel Injector Cleaner (for beginners)
The safest way is to use fuel injection detergents since you don’t have to remove the entire system. It’s also the easiest way for beginners to try since disassembling engine parts is not advisable.
A Step by Step Guide to Cleaning Your Fuel Injectors
Get your car the right cleaner for the fuel injector.
Not all cleaners work the same way. Pay attention to the components and directions for use and see if it’s compatible with your car.
Look at how much the cost is and when is the next mileage you’ll be using the treatment.
Read the directions.
The insert or label would likely tell the amount of cleaner you will use every 20 gallons of fuel.
Check the fuel level.
Check the fuel level on your meter. If it needs more fuel, top it up with the right amount.
Pour in the right amount of cleaner into the tank.
Ensure that you are using the right amount of treatment because you have to use the cleaner correctly and in the right proportion.
Top the tank with your regular fuel.
Test your fuel injectors.
By this time, the cleaner should have eliminated the symptoms above, and your fuel injector must be working.
What Not To Do
- Don’t put cleaner more than the recommended amount.
- Don’t use the cleaner when the tank is still full.
Here’s how you can diagnose faulty injectors and how to replace them.
Using a DIY fuel injector cleaning kit (for intermediate DIYers)
If you’re comfortable and confident enough in taking off engine parts, you may purchase a DIY fuel injector kit. It’s the process most intermediate owners would do. The advantage of doing so is you won’t always have to go to your technician and pay more than you should.
A Step by Step Guide to Cleaning Your Fuel Injectors
Get a compatible fuel injector cleaning kit.
Ideally, purchase a fuel system cleaner with polyetheramine.
Fill in the canisters with the right amount of detergent.
You can hang it just above the engine for ease of access.
Locate your fuel injectors.
Look into your car’s manual if you can’t find it.
Disconnect the fuel pump from the injectors.
Brace the car’s fuel pump before gently detaching the fuel injectors.
Remove pressure regulator.
Brace the system’s vacuum line before pulling out the regulator. Usually, the regulator is just below the fuel injectors.
Attach the cleaning kit.
Look at the manual to find the fuel rail port. Follow the instructions on your cleaning kit’s manual.
Turn the ignition.
Remove the tank’s cap.
Connect the air-compressed hose to the cleaning kit.
Adjust regulator on suitable pressure.
Turn the car engine on.
Let the solution flow through the system for about 5 to 15 minutes. You want to ensure that the detergent works the way it should.
Disconnect the cleaning kit.
Reinstall removed parts.
Reconnect the vacuum line and pressure regulator, fuel pump, and injectors.
Test the injectors.
What Not To Do
- Getting incompatible fuel injection cleaning kit
- Not looking into the manuals
- Not being careful when disconnecting parts
- Forgetting to turn the ignition
- Not removing the fuel tank’s cap
- Not using the recommended pressure
If you still have no idea that you’re riding with bad fuel injectors, here’s how it sounds.
Tips from a Pro
Look into the amount of cleaner needed for a certain amount of fuel. You can opt to buy the fuel injector system cleaner separately.
Solutions with polyisobutene (PIB) will prevent dirt and deposits from getting into the system but won’t dissolve existing deposits. Solutions with polyisobutylene amine (PIBA) can both prevent deposit build-up and remove existing ones. Cleaning solutions with polyetheramine (PEA) dissolves thick deposits of carbon and residues. Among the three, PEA is the most effective in cleaning thick deposits.
Work with Caution
If you opt to use a fuel system cleaning kit, make sure that you remove the tank’s cap. Avoid the build-up of pressure during cleaning.
Since you are working with fuel, you have to work safely. Ensure that the fuel injectors will not get exposed to fuel during the process because it is flammable. You can avoid this by turning the ignition.
The Final Verdict
Now that you know how to use fuel injectors or fuel system cleaning kits, it’s time to test your injectors. An accurate diagnosis will save you time and effort. You won’t have to deal with a stuttering engine when driving.
Check your manual. Find out which is the compatible solution for your engine. You’ll be driving your car smoothly in no time.
