How to Clean a CFI Fuel Injector

Central fuel injection (CFI) is an economical system that is present in many family and commuter cars today. The CFI system utilizes only one fuel injector to introduce fuel to all cylinders of an engine (4, 6 and 8). Due to the impurities that are present in any fuel, the central fuel injectors will sometimes get dirty and will require cleaning. There are two methods of cleaning fuel injectors: in-car cleaning and out-of-car cleaning. Here's how to clean your injectors using the in-car cleaning method.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fuel line
• Pressurized solvent equipment
• Fuel solvent
• Socket wrench set

1. Disconnect the fuel line from the fuel pump with the ratchet set and use some extra fuel line to connect it to the fuel return line coming back from the engine, creating a continuous loop. Connect the pressurized solvent system to the fuel rail with the supplied hose and connector fitting.

2. Fill the pressurized system with the solvent and turn the machine on. Start the car and let it run for 10 to 15 minutes as the solvent cycles through the injectors, thoroughly cleaning them out.

3. Turn the solvent system off first and then the car. Reconnect the fuel lines to the fuel rail and start the car up. Repeat for further injector cleaning, if required.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also visit a local auto repair shop and request an "acid cleaning" in which the injectors will be scoured with acid to clean out any impurities.

References

• Video on fuel injector cleaning

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