Has anyone pulled and cleaned the fuel injectors?

senter75 · 11-12-2008, 11:53 AM

I've searched and can't find a thread explaining what would be involved in pulling and cleaning the fuel injectors. I would think it would be fairly straight forward. Relieve the pressure to the fuel rails and disconnect and pull the injectors, or something along those lines.

Has anyone tried this yet?

My '05 GT had an issue last summer where it was running just a little "off song". Nothing major, but I knew it wasn't running as good as when I bought it. I added a bottle of Redline fuel system/fuel injector cleaner to a tank of gas and it cleared the problem right up.

It started running a little flat a month or so ago and adding the Redline cleaner hasn't cleared it up. I think a true cleaning of the injectors is needed.

Thanks in advance for all help.

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SCCAGT · 11-12-2008, 02:20 PM

You cannot remove the injectors and simply "clean" them, and expect it to make a difference. It is possible that you have another issue entirely. But to keep it along with cleaning them out, here is my suggestion. If a car has at least 75,000mi on it, a good fuel system cleaning can help. The more miles on it, the bigger the difference will be. 75K is what I have found to be the so-called, "dividing line" between being able to physically notice a difference. When I say fuel system cleaning, I am not referring to what only what gets dumped in the gas tank. I use Valvolines 3-part system at my shop. It includes the gas tank part, as well as, throttle body cleaning, and intake cleaning. When cleaning the intake, the car gets an IV of solution through a vaccuum line to the intake manifold, and runs until the container is empty. The more smoke that comes out of the exhaust means more junk got cleaned out. Any shop can perform a similar service in your area.

Others have taken a DITY approach by using Seafoam and spraying it in the intake.

If this does not cure your problem, then as I said, you have something else causing it. Whatever the case may be, doing the fuel system cleaning is a good maintenance practice and should not really be considered a total waste of cash if it didnt take care of it.

Rubrignitz · 11-12-2008, 02:38 PM

I've heard to get a good injector cleaning you must take it somewhere that can do a "pressure clean". Something they connect inline that cleans with hi-pressure through the injectors...

Have you changed your fuel filter yet?? That could be the problem. It's located beneath a cover on the driver-side (if I remember correctly) below the door. I changed mine at 15k miles and plan to change it again at 30k miles.

senter75 · 11-12-2008, 04:40 PM

Thanks guys.

Sounds like the fuel system cleaning and/or the injector "pressure cleaning" will be what I need to look into. Also the Seafoam treatment. I've read a lot of positve feedback on that.

I did replace the fuel filter. I've also cleaned the MAF sensor and throttle body. I pretty sure it's something to do with fuel delivery as I've just added a bottle of the Redline fuel system cleaner to 1/2 tank of gas and driven it a 1/4 tank and noticed some improvement. At this point I think I'll pick up 2 bottles and add them to the next fill up and use some good Shell 91 octane.

Thanks for the input.

Rubrignitz · 11-12-2008, 04:45 PM

No problem, bro. Sounds like a plan if you already done the other things mentioned. I'm also pretty funny about the gas stations where I purchase fuel. I know gas is high but I never go to the cheapest stations. Always Chevron, Exxon or Shell if I can help it. 90% of the time it's Chevron.

nineinchnail1024 · 11-12-2008, 08:45 PM

The only way to really clean the fuel injectors is to remove them and have them flow tested and professionally cleaned. It'll cost you, but it's the only way to be sure they're flowing right. I had my brand new injectors flow tested when I installed the whipple, and you'd be surprised how much difference there can be in the flow between different injectors even when they are brand new.

mygt500 · 11-13-2008, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nineinchnail1024

The only way to really clean the fuel injectors is to remove them and have them flow tested and professionally cleaned. It'll cost you, but it's the only way to be sure they're flowing right. I had my brand new injectors flow tested when I installed the whipple, and you'd be surprised how much difference there can be in the flow between different injectors even when they are brand new.

Dammit Nine! I need to get off midnight shift so I can answer some questions before everyone else does..... LOL

1+ to what nine said .....get them flow tested and matched before installing (like in FI applications, larger injectors, or stock ones that are acting up)....I did it to mine (60# injectors) and what a difference.... JMO

jaguarking11 · 11-13-2008, 04:14 AM

Flow testing and balancing has no effect on clogged injectors. Pressure cleaning is a BIG NO-NO.

If you want to clean injectors then you take them to a shop that has sonic cleaning capabilities. They then can flow match them and balance them as well.

As for in-tank cleaning. I use gum-out or techron cleaner. Sometimes you need to use it 2-3 different tanks. It helps my car.

nineinchnail1024 · 11-13-2008, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaguarking11

Flow testing and balancing has no effect on clogged injectors. Pressure cleaning is a BIG NO-NO.

I guess I should have typed "professionally cleaned THEN flow tested" to clear up any confusion. I wouldn't recommend that anyone try to force trash through their fuel injectors.

senter75 · 11-13-2008, 02:02 PM

So, I'm an old guy and I'm used to carberators and plugs you can pull to look at how the motor is firing. This aluminum head and fuel injectors is new ground for me. What exactly do they do to professionally clean the injectors? I guess I'll need to find a shop in northern Colorado to do that if I can't clear up the problem with gas additives.