Author Topic: DIY fuel injector cleaning  (Read 6446 times)

Offline DavidATL

  • ^ Proficient Motobricker
  • Posts: 175
DIY fuel injector cleaning
« on: February 09, 2019, 09:50:29 AM »
I’ve had very good success cleaning injectors at home. One set for a V6 Fiero 2.8 didn’t flow at all (gummed up from sitting in a junk car for ?? years) and I brought them back to life.

Need:
- Fuel injector actuator (sold as an injector tester online, $30 generic connector - $60 with injector plug). 
- Carburetor cleaner or similar fuel system solvent, several ounces + a pressured can with a small straw-like attachment
- glass container (something that the cleaner won’t dissolve)

>>> It’s advisable to wear eye protection during this, especially step 3  <<<

1 - fill the container with cleaner to a depth 1” or so above the injector nozzle
2 - place the injector nozzle down into the cleaner, run the actuator continuously for several minutes
3 - while continuing to run the actuator, remove injector and spray the cleaner through the fuel inlet orifice in the back.
4- cycle through steps 2 and 3 until you get a fine, uniform spray.

I haven’t tried this with K-Bike injectors but expect that it should work.

Obviously this won’t flow test nor rate the injectors, but it works well and is pretty low cost.

Injector electrical actuator:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/US-Ship-All-Sun-EM276-Injector-Tester-Fuel-Injector-4-Pluse-Modes-Fuel-System/252990688970?epid=10028399003

* Screen Shot 2019-02-09 at 9.46.16 AM .png (31.6 kB . 768x347 - viewed 851 times)

For $60 more, you can buy an injector cleaner kit that includes a metal container you fill with cleaner, pressurize, and attach in place of the fuel line on the bike. This can be used to leak down/ flow test and match individual injectors if you want.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/US-STOCK-AUTOOL-Car-Petrol-Injector-Cleaner-Tester-Non-Dismantle-Fuel-System/223134514003?epid=8002679867

* Screen Shot 2019-02-09 at 9.46.49 AM .png (44.06 kB . 768x349 - viewed 874 times)
  • Atlanta
  • K75RT '92 w/ 28k miles (former bikes: '82 FT500, 80's GL500 Silverwing, 550 Nighthawk and FINALLY an '88 K75S) https://georgiaroads.wordpress.com including my #GA4corners route
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Offline schrocketeer

  • ^ Proficient Motobricker
  • Posts: 196
Re: DIY fuel injector cleaning
« Reply #1 on: February 13, 2019, 11:54:38 PM »
I threw mine in a 1 gallon can of Berryman's carb cleaner for a week. Then I used a K-Mart battery charger and some alligator clips to put 12 volts across the pins of each injector. Repeated this cycle a couple of times.
After I heard the injectors "click" with voltage across them, I attached them to the fuel rail, but I did Not put the injectors in to the engine. With a piece of notebook paper under each injector, I turned on the key, and hit the starter switch. Brown liquid squirted out, then normal gas.
From there I installed the injectors in to the engine, and it ran fine.
This was after sitting for 3+ years.
  • North Alabama
  • 1985 K100RT very original
Ken  
Current: 85 K100RT, 09 DL650, 16 4RT260, 97 XR100, 70 CT70, 06 YFM400
Past Bikes: 86 K100RT, 85 K100RS, 07 SV1000S, 80 KL250, 99 GS1100, 85 K100RT, 86 VFR700, 91 XR250, 95 VLX600, 86 TRX250, 02 GZ250, 83 Z50R, 78 ATC90, 86 XR250, 79 XR500, 72 AT1, 75 YZ360, 78 DT400, 75 DT125, 73 Trail 70
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Offline Martin

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 4475
Re: DIY fuel injector cleaning
« Reply #2 on: February 14, 2019, 01:45:25 AM »
I made up an air powered set up to pressurize the injectors adjusted to 36 PSI and bought the injector pulsar (Ebay) to activate them. I use a graduated vessel and time the flow while checking the pattern. A local workshop that also does injectors advised me to stop using injector cleaner and use lacquer thinners as it is more economical and cleans better. I tried the thinners on some injectors that were totally blocked and had resisted cleaning with injector cleaner, and they cleared. I also soak them sometimes in a sonic jewelry cleaner (Aldi) while activating with the pulsar.
Regards Martin.

* Fuel injector Test Unit 2.jpg (59.21 kB . 768x576 - viewed 827 times)
* 250 ml graduated vessel.jpg (6.38 kB . 300x300 - viewed 736 times)
  • North Lakes Queensland Australia
  • 1992 K75s Hybrid, Lefaux, Vespa V twin.

Offline natalena

  • ^ SuperNatural Motobricker
  • Posts: 742
Re: DIY fuel injector cleaning
« Reply #3 on: February 14, 2019, 08:56:17 AM »
A local workshop that also does injectors advised me to stop using injector cleaner and use lacquer thinners as it is more economical and cleans better.

Old School. My 75+yo neighbor showed me using lacquer thinner is superior, last summer. Great tip!
  • MST
  • 1987 K75s #0919, '05 Sportster 1200C, '21 ARGO 8x8, '24 KLR650
"Hard to beat a 10x beaver, 'specially if you're gonna work it."

Offline bizzaro

  • ^ SuperNatural Motobricker
  • Posts: 583
  • co pilot
Re: DIY fuel injector cleaning
« Reply #4 on: February 21, 2019, 09:35:34 PM »
This is why I love Motobrick!   bmp :clap: :popcorm  Still the best freaken forum on the web. 
  • Vermont
  • Current:1994 BMW K1100LT Previous: 1982 Yamaha virago 920,1973 Honda CB550,1976 Yamaha 650 Special
See Ya in the Twisties,
 Bizz

Offline Chaos

  • Administrator
  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 3157
  • Mars needs women!
Re: DIY fuel injector cleaning
« Reply #5 on: February 22, 2019, 12:12:23 AM »
I've put off getting mine cleaned because I'm cheap.  Now I have a cool DIY project!
  • sw ohio
1987 K75S    VIN 0231
Original owner, Original litter
200,000 miles (plus or minus) and 5 paint jobs
sold 6/23
2023 Ural 2WD sidecar (BMW's bastard step child)

Offline Martin

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 4475
Re: DIY fuel injector cleaning
« Reply #6 on: February 22, 2019, 01:10:48 AM »
Chaos I air powered mine to avoid any chance of BADDA BOOM.
Regards Martin.

* Fuel injector pulse tester plan.jpg.png (26.83 kB . 768x452 - viewed 813 times)
  • North Lakes Queensland Australia
  • 1992 K75s Hybrid, Lefaux, Vespa V twin.

Offline bizzaro

  • ^ SuperNatural Motobricker
  • Posts: 583
  • co pilot
Re: DIY fuel injector cleaning
« Reply #7 on: February 22, 2019, 06:17:03 AM »
Shit Man, that ain't noth'n......................have you seen the Space Ship Martin is building.  And all of it from scrap at the junkyard.
  • Vermont
  • Current:1994 BMW K1100LT Previous: 1982 Yamaha virago 920,1973 Honda CB550,1976 Yamaha 650 Special
See Ya in the Twisties,
 Bizz

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