Things You'll Need:
- Compressed air line
- Injector Cleaner Reservoir
- Cleaner, such as 44K or STP cleaners
- Tank additive for cleaning injectors
- Vise grips
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Step 1
For the ultimate cleaning, remove the injectors from the harness and have them cleaned in a sonic cleaning machine. This will restore them to like new, although it involves having your car offline a while. It also isn't cheap. Expect to pay handsomely for the removal and cleaning. For some cars with relatively inexpensive parts, it's cheaper to replace them.
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Step 2
For a periodic cleaning without having to dismantle the fuel delivery system, visit your neighborhood mechanic and have them do a pressurized cleaning by hooking up a reservoir full of injector cleaner, pinching off the fuel supply line and disabling the pump temporarily. The cleaner is forced through the injectors under pressure and does a good job of removing the junk that has accumulated over time. Your mechanic will also add a pint or so of chemical to your gas tank which will continue the process during that tankful of gas. Be sure to have at least a half-tankful before you visit your mechanic.
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Step 3
The third method for cleaning your fuel injectors is to simply add a bottle of cleaner to your 3/4 full gas tank and let it work as you drive out the fuel. It doesn't clean quite as thoroughly as either of the two other methods, but your won't be without your car, and you won't have to pay the $50-$100 or so to have it done at your mechanic's shop. You might need to repeat this a time or two for good results, but it may restore driveability and correct the hard starting problem.
Comments
Vanillatte said
on 3/11/2009 Terrific article on how to clean a fuel injector. I think I'd start with the additive and work my way up!