How to Clean Fuel Injectors Without Removing Them

If the fuel consumption of your car is heavier and the engine overheat, it might be caused by the clogged fuel injectors . All you need is to clean your fuel injector. This is an easy-to-follow guide on how to clean fuel injectors at home without removing them.

Step 1. Get a fuel injector cleaning kit
Purchase a fuel injector cleaning tool suitable for your car’s make and model. You should get a cleaning tool that comes with a hose that connects to the fuel rail and fuel injectors and a canister of fuel injector cleaning solvent that can dissolve hard carbon buildups more effectively than other cleaning solvents.

Step 2. Locate the fuel rail
The fuel rail is an essential part of the fuel system. It feeds the fuel injectors with gas. The location of the fuel rails varies from car to car. Hence, you should visit your owner’s booklet to locate your fuel rail.

Step 3. Disconnect the fuel rail
The next thing you want to do is to go ahead and disconnect the fuel rail. Some fuel rails will require pressing down the clips to take them off. Some require loosening the clamps and holding them with a screwdriver to pull them off, while some require losing the bolt holding the fuel rail and a lead pipe from the gas tank. Whichever way your fuel rail is designed, disconnect it so you can connect the fuel injector cleaning kit later.

Step 4. Disconnect your fuel regulator pressure line (if your car has one)
Locate the pressure regulator and detach the vacuum line from it. Gently pull it out to take it off. Visit your owner’s booklet to know if your car has a pressure regulator. The regulator is usually located close to the injectors.

Step 5. Fill the fuel injector cleaning kit with a solvent
Take off the cover of the fuel injector cleaning kit and pour in the cleaning solvent. Ensure you fill the fuel cleaning kit to the brim.

Step 6. Hang the cleaning kit on the hood
You have to place the cleaning kit above the engine. You have to attach the cleaning kit to the hood. The cleaning kit has a hook that will allow you to attach it to the hood.

Step 7. Connect the kit outlet pipe to the fuel rail
Once you have successfully hanged the cleaning kit, you have to attach the kit outlet pipe to the disconnected fuel rail. The cleaning kit has many connectors, making it a lot easier to use on many cars, irrespective of the year, make, and model. Connect the sizeable connector and attach the cleaning solvent.

Step 8. Remove the fuel tank cover to prevent pressure buildup.
The cleaning kit will remove grime and debris by sending pressurized cleaning solvent into the fuel injectors. Ensure you take off the fuel tank cover before starting the cleaning. This will ensure there are no excess pressure buildups, which could cause combustion.

Step 9. Remove the fuel pump relay
Locate the fuse box and remove the fuel pump relay to shut off the fuel pump from sending gas to the engine. There are multiple relays in the fuse box, and they are of the same sizes and shapes. It is ideal for visiting the owner’s booklet to know the exact fuel pump relay.

Step 10. Connect the air compressor to the cleaning kit
Connect the air compressor to the cleaning kit – ensure you connect the compressor to the air intake connector of the fuel injector cleaning kit and set the PSI to 40, 45, or 50. You need pressurized air to export the cleaning solvent into the fuel rail.

Step 11. Start your car
Start your car and allow the engine to idle for some minutes until no more cleaning solvent is left in the cleaning kit. Once you notice the cleaning solvent is out of the cleaning kit, switch off your engine and disconnect the fuel injector cleaning kit.

Step 12. Reattach your fuel pump relay and fuel rail hose
Take off the cleaning kit fittings and hose from your fuel rail. Reinstall the fuel regulator vacuum hose and fuel pump lead hose. Cover the fuel tank.

Step 13. Start the car to ensure the fuel injector works
The engine should run smoothly after cleaning the fuel injectors, and the engine should have a normal sound. Start the engine to cross-check your work. Watch out for any leaking injector, vacuum leaks, or abnormal noise indicating an issue. Test the car within your neighborhood to make sure it runs nice and smooth. If you notice weird noise, you want to trace it or seek professional help. For a visual presentation, watch this.