Cleaning the fuel injectors at the fuel rail

[lothian]

I’m interested in cleaning the fuel injectors at the fuel rail as a routine maintenance item. The following videos demonstrate the equipment and the process:

– Scotty Kilmer “How to clean fuel injectors in your car”
– A mechanic demonstrates “Fuel Injection Cleaning”
– OTC Guy “Pro Master Fuel Injection Service Kit”
(…and a others from NAPA, 3M, etc.)

Manufactures of fuel injector cleaning kits and solvent differ, but the equipment is nearly identical, and similarly priced. A basic kit with a single vehicle-specific fuel rail adapter (sold separately) costs ~$200 from Amazon.com or eBay. A local garage and/or dealership will do the job for ~$100 per vehicle.

I’m considering investing in a fuel injector cleaning kit for routine use on my 2000 Honda Accord and ’05 Odyssey. However, I have no idea what Honda-proper recommends in this regard. So, I turn to this forum for thoughts, options, experiences, and expertise regarding the idea of doing this sort of job in the home garage as routine maintenance, say, every 20k miles.

Topic

[KZ 259]

i don’t think a full kit is required just to give the injectors cleaning. i use seaform once or twice a year which cleans fuel injectors

[thomas dudman]

Well in my opinion….and this can be a double edge sword.This is also from exprience.
Fuel injectors in peak performance get better fuel mileage by atomizing gasoline for a better burn.
I have always been afraid of cans of cleaners that go in the tank to clean injectors,mainly because it goes through your fuel pump(100-200-300 dollars for replacement)goes through a fuel filter(that collects dirt and debris) and then goes through the fuel injectors(50-150 dollars each to replace) and then gets burned and pushed through the catalytic converter(100-400 dollars to replace.To clean a fuel injector off the car is what I do every 50,000 miles,everyone does it different.Im noy saying any one way is right or wrong,just one opinion in a sea of ideas.
The down side to removing injectors is replacing the seals.checking there ohm value to specs.Replace if needed.

Just my two cents. 😉

[John B Kobberstad]

I have the OTC tool and a Snap On MT2500 that I use to clean my injectors. I remove the injector rail from the vehicle and set it in a tub to catch cleaner rather than send it through the vehicle. I remove the fuel pump relay and release the pressure to the rail, pressurize the OTC cleaning tool to specs for the fuel pressure for the vehicle, remove the fuel line to the rail and connect the OTC tool to the rail. Then it’s just a matter of activating each of the fuel injectors (which are still in the rail but removed from the intake manifold) with the Snap On MT2500 scan tool and I can watch the spray pattern of each injector as I activate them one at a time. I also use BG 44K in the gas tank about once a year to clean the whole system. I also reuse the injector cleaner that I put through the injectors to clean other parts. This works well for me may not be something for anyone else though. I use a 48 oz. glass peanut butter jar to catch the injector spray and cap it with the lid when done to reuse later.

[lothian]

Thanks for the responses.

I bailed on the OTC idea and replaced the fuel injectors (FI)–they are OE with 105k miles. That decision presented a new dilemma: remove and professionally clean the existing FIs, purchase new OEM, purchase aftermarket refurbs. I chose the latter (http://www.python-injection.com).

Subsequent to replacing the FIs, the car runs normally and the Actron reads no codes. However, gas mileage shows no improvement. I am frustrated since this entire exercise–ultimately–is about improving fuel economy.

I saved the original FIs. I may have them professionally cleaned (http://www.rceng.com) to serve as replacements should the aftermarket FIs misbehave.

[apark50]

The best way to clean your fuel system begins by using a high quality brand of injector cleaner. To clean the fuel system, you need to pass the product through the whole system, not only the injectors. When the product passes through the injectors, cleaning them, it is sprayed on to the intake valves, cleaning these as well and therefore improving proper sealing (= better compression). Also helps di-carbonize piston heads.

[college man]

This is the kit that I have. You need to see if the
adapters you need would come with it. I clean my injectors
once a year in the spring.every 12-15k you can just buy the
adapter you need if it does not come with it.

[Bill]

This is just my opinion but fuel injectors today are pretty much self cleaning. If Honda recommends a cleaning for maintenance then I would follow their recommendations.

That said, years ago the older Bosch injectors were prone to the tips plugging and the very best cleaner I used at the time was Ford Motorcraft. I think Ford had the most problems.

I believe that vehicles today only need a tank additive. I use STP in my tank bout every 6 months. I’m sure there are others that do a good job too.I can’t say that I ever messed up a fuel pump by using it. Not sure about the USA etc. but in Ontario Canada the Government mandates a minimum amount of Techtrol to be added to the fuel to keep emissions in check by keeping injectors clean. Direct injection is a whole new area for concern.

I think that air intake system maintenance is more important today with manifold tuning valves and long intake runners as well as increased heat causing carbon to build up on the back of intake valves.. Seafoam seems to address those areas reasonably well.

[Author]

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