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View Full Version : How to clean your injectors



Garrison
09-08-2011, 10:22 PM
So I was diagnosing a misfire code today and I thought that I would return some of the favor this forum has given me by showing you guys how to pull your injectors. *I am not responsible for any damage you do to your car*

What you will need:
Phillips head screwdriver
Some form of compressed air
Can of seafoam
pair of pliers
m10 socket (or wrench)
**It's a good idea to have extra injector orings before you start this project.**


So you'll want to start by unplugging your fuel pump (or pull the fuse) and turn the car on. It will sputter to a terribly gurlgly end. Fear not, this will keep your eyes free from fuel later on. Fuel pump is located on the passenger side of the rear of the car.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/09/IMAG0087-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/09/IMAG0088-1.jpg



Then you'll want to come to the front and use the m10 to undo the power steering lines from the engine bracket. You might also want to remove your intake, I did. Locate the injectors, they are directly above each cylinder. Pull the electrical connector off of each injector. The press-tab is on the bottom of the plug.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/09/IMAG0089-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/09/IMAG0090-1.jpg



Take your phillips head screwdriver and undo the two screws holding the caps onto the injectors, and the injectors in place. Then remove cap.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/09/IMAG0091-1.jpg



This is where things get tough. You're going to want to twist and pull at the same time to get the injector out. Patience is key here. If you get stuck, pliers make for a nice helping hand.
Here is what an injector looks like:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/09/IMAG0092-1.jpg



Be sure to cover the holes on the injector ports. You don't want stuff getting down there.

Soak your injectors in some Seafoam cleaning product (cue shameless plug here). You'll want to give them about 30minutes a piece in the seafoam before wiping them down and blasting them (not too hard!) with compressed air. Be sure to get all angles.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/09/IMAG0093-1.jpg


If you want to really get in there to clean them, remove the black collar (called a jacket) from the injector. It will then look like this.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/09/IMAG0097-1.jpg



Onto the drivers side: Make your setup look like mine. Pull your washer-fluid reservoir and battery/battery tray. (Injectors are poking out at the top of the second picture)
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/09/IMAG0094-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/09/IMAG0095-1.jpg



Same process as before, unplug, unscrew, remove. You might want to push the fuel filter out of the way on this step too. It interferes on the final (rear) drivers-side injector.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/09/IMAG0096-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/09/IMAG0098-1.jpg


Re-installation is the opposite of removal. Just take your time and go nice and easy. Dropping pieces of car onto the crossmember suuuucks.

Good luck! :smt023

harrymaneuvers
09-08-2011, 11:56 PM
Very nice write-up!

B's Legacy Wagon
09-20-2011, 11:19 AM
great write-up. will this work all makes, i supose all subies have similar injectors. i used the gunk brand cleaner in the gas but am curious how well your seafoam dip process works. does it do a great job cleaning them compair to say sending them in to the company that like sonic bathe them. just curious because if i send them in iam out a car witting for turn around comparedd to your method being fast.??

Garrison
09-20-2011, 11:26 AM
great write-up. will this work all makes, i supose all subies have similar injectors. i used the gunk brand cleaner in the gas but am curious how well your seafoam dip process works. does it do a great job cleaning them compair to say sending them in to the company that like sonic bathe them. just curious because if i send them in iam out a car witting for turn around comparedd to your method being fast.??

It worked quite well for me. I bathed the injectors in seafoam for 30ish minutes and then wiped the outsides down and blasted them with compressed air. This smoothed out any fueling niggles I was having, but since I'm going turbo you want all the fuel you can get and my injectors were definitely dirty. I doubt if they had ever been cleaned before.

I tried the injector cleaner, and I've tried raw seafoam through the tank and neither of those things do as much for your injectors as this. Also, though I know this isn't as helpful to you guys, I installed new plugs on the same day as I cleaned my injectors, and the engine behaves a LOT better.

krot84
10-30-2011, 03:37 AM
Garrison, please explain because i didn't quite understand, when you said "turn the car on" you meant turn the key to the position when all the lights are on?
And what does it mean " It will sputter to a terribly gurlgly end.?
Can i use a can of carburetor cleaner instead of the Seafoam because thy don't sell it over here?

Thanks

subie/legacy
10-30-2011, 03:59 AM
Garrison, please explain because i didn't quite understand, when you said "turn the car on" you meant turn the key to the position when all the lights are on?
And what does it mean " It will sputter to a terribly gurlgly end.?
Can i use a can of carburetor cleaner instead of the Seafoam because thy don't sell it over here?

Thanks

After unplugging the fuel pump, you then actually start the car. Doing so burns the pressurized fuel remaining in the line, keeping you from getting fuel everywhere when pulling the injectors out.
"Sputter" is from the fuel pump not being on, causing the car to possibly start from remaining fuel already primed in the line. Then dying shortly after.
Not sure about carburetor cleaner though.

Garrison
10-30-2011, 09:32 AM
Thanks dude, good answer.

My only thing against carb cleaner is that it makes the oring rubber swell. If you have new orings, then sure go for it it should work just fine.

krot84
10-30-2011, 10:36 AM
Thanks dude, good answer.

My only thing against carb cleaner is that it makes the oring rubber swell. If you have new orings, then sure go for it it should work just fine.
That's another question i have, shouldn't i remove the two black O-rings from each injector so they won't get ruined ?

Garrison
10-30-2011, 11:46 AM
Well, yes and no. If you're using seafoam which is safe for orings, then there is no need, though you may opt to do so.
With carb-cleaner YES. Do remove the rings as they WILL swell and you will be unable to re-install your injectors.

It's a good idea to have extra orings before you start this project.

krot84
10-30-2011, 12:12 PM
Well, yes and no. If you're using seafoam which is safe for orings, then there is no need, though you may opt to do so.
With carb-cleaner YES. Do remove the rings as they WILL swell and you will be unable to re-install your injectors.

It's a good idea to have extra orings before you start this project.

Good idea, I'll remove the rings before because as I said before there isn't any Seafoam around here :-(