Cleaning FuelInjectorsIf the fuel injectors are dirty or leaking, there are several options available: 1) Pour a fuel injector-cleaning chemical into the fuel tank. We have had very good results with in-tank fuel injection cleaners such as Chevron's Techron or Techron Plus. Customers have told us they feel a noticeable increase in power with just one tank of gasoline treated with the cleaning solution. The in-tank fuel injector cleaning method does not allow you to check the fuel injector spray pattern, and the filter built into the injector may become plugged with any contaminants washed into the injector. If the in-tank method does not supply the desired results, a more aggressive method may be necessary.
2) Run a cleaner through the fuel rails and injectors; this method allows a stronger mix of chemicals than you could put in the gas tank. This method can do a good job, but again, it does not allow you to check the fuel injector spray pattern and the filter built into the fuel injector may still need to be serviced.
3) The preferred method for cleaning injectors is an ultrasonic fuel injector cleaner/fuel injector flow bench. This process involves cycling the fuel injectors while the fuel injector tips are immersed in an ultrasonic bath that uses an environmentally friendly cleaning fluid to clean the fuel injectors. A fuel injection cleaner/fuel injector flow bench also allows the technician to see the spray pattern and observe the volume of fuel flow that each injector supplies at any rpm. If the spray pattern varies from injector to injector and the ultrasonic cleaning bath does not correct it, the fuel injector must be replaced.
When replacing injectors, we recommend installing flow-matched sets, or flowing the new injectors to ensure they are all the same. When the fuel injectors are flow-matched, you can be sure each cylinder of the engine has the correct air/fuel mixture.
The Clean ResultsWhen all the fuel injectors are flowing the correct amount of fuel to each cylinder, the engine's performance will be at its best, providing maximum power and fuel economy. Fuel injector maintenance and service are very important parts of proper vehicle maintenance. Often just using an in-tank fuel injection cleaning chemical can help prevent a problem from even starting, but choose the fuel injector cleaning method that solves the problem, and don't forget to change the fuel filter.