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So you want to clean your car’s fuel injectors? Maybe you want to maintain your fuel system's cleanliness from new, or your older car is misfiring, idling roughly, or otherwise running poorly. Maybe you’ve found yourself at the mercy of the dreaded Check Engine Light and your OBD scanner reads P02(xx), car-computer speak for a fuel and air metering issue. Well, you’ve come to the right place. Your injectors may be bunged up, reducing their flow rate or screwing up their fuel-spray pattern. The Drive’s crack How-To department is here to help and get those injectors injecting properly once again.

Your fuel injectors are called upon every day to perform little miracles of precision fuel metering. Makers of fuel-injector treatment products pledge to keep your injectors in peak condition. For this they use detergent agents that mix with the fuel in your tank to break up deposits caused by gasoline impurities. However, if your injectors have become clogged, they will likely need a physical cleaning.

Note: If your injectors are clogged substantially, it may be time to consult a mechanic. Deep cleaning is a process requiring specialized skills and dangerous, controlled solvents. Ultrasonic vibration is often used to break up deposits, followed by high-pressure flushing, media blasting, and the replacement of rubber seals. At this point, it may be worth replacing the injectors altogether.

Here’s how to do it. 

Estimated Time Needed: 30 minutes to 1 hour

Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Working on your car can be messy and dangerous, especially when you’re working with your car’s fuel system, which you’ve likely never bothered to clean—please don’t queue Prodigy’s Firestarter. Here’s what you’ll need to keep your jeans and shirt spotless, and eyes and skin injury-free.

We’re not psychic, nor are we snooping through your toolbox or garage, so here’s exactly what you’ll need to get the job done.

You’ll also need a flat surface, such as a garage floor, driveway, or street parking, though check your local laws to make sure you’re not violating any codes when using the street. When using cleaning solvents, make sure the work environment is properly ventilated.

Organizing your tools and gear so everything is easily reachable will save precious minutes waiting for your handy-dandy child or four-legged helper to bring you the sandpaper or blowtorch. (You won't need a blowtorch for this job. Please don’t have your kid hand you a blowtorch—Ed.)

Over-the-counter fuel-injector cleaners contain detergents purported to break up carbon deposits. These products are best used before any serious injector issues arise.

Over the years, The Drive’s editors have done it all and seen it all, buying, selling, and reviewing just about every car on the planet. We’ve also wrenched, ripped apart, and fixed a ton of cars, including some that needed a good fuel system deep clean. Here are our top tips to ensure your car is running right. 

Since you may not have access to the right tools, or have a friend you can bum a wrench off of, we also compiled a list of our best hacks to make your life easier and drain your pocket less.

Chevron Techron Concentrate Plus Fuel System Cleaner

Lucas 128 Ounces LUC10013 10013 Fuel Treatment

BG 44K Fuel System Cleaner Power Enhancer

Got a question? Got a pro tip? Send us a note:guidesandgear@thedrive.com

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