Injectors- get cleaned at the shop or pull?

[Afboy143]

Hey guys,
Quick question. I am kicking around the idea of getting my injectors cleaned, but I need the best bang for the buck way. I've done the fuel rail cleaning once and it worked fine, but with the truck having so many miles now (130k) will the fuel rail cleaning still do good, or should I pull them and clean them? Thoughts? ranger7ltr... I know you're good when it comes to this stuff

 

[ranger7ltr]

Here is my take on that...

I have used the fuel rail mounted bottle of pressurized cleaner and it did the job as well as you found for a while...But pulling the injectors and getting them cleaned, flow matched, and serviced works so much better for me...

By pulling them off the engine the shop will replace the internal filters at the top of the injectors, replace the o-ring seals and the pintle cap replaced as needed...Most will also get the injector completely clean internally and flow match them as well...

The latest service I used was a shop in Florida named

Performance EFI LLC
REBUILD
1052 Manchester Circle
Winter Park, FL 32792

They are also on ebay as Lucky7injectors and their email is lucky7injectors@gmail.com... There rates for my injector service were $12/injector and the turnaround was super quick...

 

[Afboy143]

My most helpful person! I knew you’d respond! Lol

I am trying to get all my ducks in a row before I pull the trigger on everything. I live 2 hours from that shop so shipping should be super quick! Now- I’ve never pulled injectors before but I’ve read how to in the Haynes manual. Doesn’t seem hard at all. Anything I should keep in mind/do while completing the project? Replace the O-Rings that go around the injector? Put some kind of lube or clean anything? While the injectors are off being cleaned, I plan on replacing my gas tank and fuel pump along with a fresh fuel filter. After that, run a few bottle of Techron in the gas and all *should* be good there. I will then move onto replacing my whining rear end!! Fun stuff

 

[ranger7ltr]

Pulling them is not too difficult...

You have to remove the upper intake to get to them obviously...Then disconnect the wiring from each injector as well as the fuel rail...I would use compressed air to remove any dirt or debris from around the injector before pulling them out...When they are free to remove you will need to twist and pull them to break the o-ring seal...

While they are out being serviced, don't forget to cover the injector holes so nothing drops into the engine...And if they are being serviced the o-rings will/should be replaced...There are some insulators to go around the bottom tip of the injector to replace as well...

Installation, for me, was made easier by lubing the orings with a whilte lube...The injectors will pop into the mounting hole and then you just replace the fuel rail and the wiring...Some find it easier to mount the injectors into the top of the rail then mount the injectors to the lower intake...

And your plan to replace the tank. pump, and external filter at the same time is a stellar idea...That way your fuel system will be as clean as the day the truck rolled off the assembly line...

 

[Afboy143]

Fantastic! I appreciate the tips sir! The insulators on the bottom tip usually get replaced by the shop, correct? What kind of turn around time do you think it usually takes?

I never removed the upper intake before. Is there some type of gasket there I need to replace?

I figured doing this stuff is much cheaper than a car payment- plus the truck has been babied all her life. I was debating on getting a new truck or fixing this one.

 

[alohamonte]

I had the infamous upper intake gasket leak on me last summer. The gasket kit included a fuel rail gasket so I replaced that too. While I was at it, I pulled the injectors for a manual cleaning. I figured they'd be spotless since I run tons of gas-tank injector additives and seafoam like a madman... they looked like they were dragged through the mud. I pulled them, soaked/scrubbed with a solution, and replaced the orings. Runs like new.

 

[Afboy143]

Hmmm I guess that goes to show you those in the gas tank additives don’t work too well!

Do you care to explain what solution you used and how you cleaned them yourself? I wonder if I could do this and save a few $$$ and time.

Also, could you point me to which kit you used? I’m getting if I pull the upper intake, I should replace the gasket as well. Any tips on that?