How to Fix Performance Fuel Injectors

Over the time that you drive your car, carbon deposits can build up in your fuel injectors. Dirty fuel injectors lead to misfiring, loss of power and higher monoxide emissions. In high performance and turbocharged engines, this can even lead to an engine explosion. Fixing fuel injectors mainly means you'll be cleaning them of their deposits.

Instructions

In Car Cleaning

1

Disable the car's fuel pump and plug up the fuel return line. The engine must be running during the cleaning, and you don't want fuel going to the engine. You can also install a U-tube to send the fuel back into the tank.

2

Disconnect the pressure regulator and remove the gas tank cap.

3

Connect a fuel injector cleaning kit to the fuel rail. You can purchase this at an auto supply store. Open the kit's valve until you get the correct fuel pressure reading for your car, and then turn on the engine.

4

Feed the fuel injector cleaner into the engine through the kit. Because this involves high pressure instruments with the engine running, wear eye protection, avoid contact with the cleaner and make sure there are no open sparks nearby.

5

Replace all parts you removed after cleaning. You should also change the spark plugs and oil filter, as they may have picked up residue in the cleaning process.

Off Car Cleaning

6

Remove the injectors from the car. Because this is very labor intensive and the equipment to do so can cost thousands of dollars, it's best to let a trained mechanic handle this and the following steps.

7

Clean the injectors. The machines that do so often soak them in an ultrasonic bath and then reverse flush them. This cleaning procedure often takes 30 to 45 minutes.

8

Flow-test the injectors after cleaning. Energize them with spray solvent so you can compare how much fuel each delivers. For a performance engine, you want no more than a one percent variation between injectors.