So, I'm cleaning the injectors on my '07 X150 4.2 naturally aspirated.

Standard Denso 0480, as installed on the car from the factory.

Ready to replace the orings, pintle cap and internal filter, but plan to ultrasonically clean them.

So, the question: what have people here used as ultrasonic cleaning fluid in the bath? Looking for something that'll clean gas and carbon deposits, but isn't flammable.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

 

Bump. Am I the first here to fully clean injectors off the engine? Thanks!

 

Most shops won't even clean injectors unless they are installed on a running vehicle. Believe me, I've tried.
Since I had a total failure at procuring a service that WOULD clean them, I made up a rig myself using compressed air, a tank of Brake Clean, and a battery to clean mine.
It worked pretty well! Course I DID make a mess in my shop. Next time I'd hook up a catch box for the spraying fluid.

 

I've found several services that will clean them off the car. For example:

https://cleaninginjector.com/ohio-fu...SAAEgJPgfD_BwE
FLOW TEST, CLEANING & REPAIR | FUEL INJECTOR SERVICES

And so on. Lot of need for it with diesels and in particular marine applications.

Problem for me is that I can't remove them and send them out, since I'm in a condo. So I have to do them in real time in my hourly rent-a-garage. Can't leave it sitting there for a couple of days at an hourly rate while I send them out.

I already externally rebuilt mine, with new orings, filters, pintle caps. Made things lots better (bad o-ring had caused a major vacuum leak) but was unable to clean them ultrasonically, a job I'm about to do. And the injector resistance is in spec.

So, plan is to pull them, give them a half hour in an ultrasonic bath, then trigger the internal coil to cycle their opening while I forward and backflush them with cleaner.

My issue is what I put in the bath. Some use simple green and water, some use solvents. Point is to decarbonize and de-varnish the interior of the injector.

Looking for others' experience with DIY cleaning..

 

I have used a strong solution of Mr Clean green stuff with ammonia for soaking motorcycle carbs. Worked well to clean the old fuel stains. Don’t mix with bleach though of course.

 

RC Fuel Injection did my injectors on another car a few years ago. They test spray pattern and flow once complete. Here is their contact info:

https://www.rcfuelinjection.com

If you cannot go this route, can you buy a used set, have them cleaned and then install? You'd end up with a spare set but it is a thought.

 

But is there a need?
I only use premium fuel with detergents anyways (see top tier fuels). And frequently I run her to near empty before refilling.
On the other hand, I do have an old 4 cylinder diesel engine in the sailboat. But that fuel and environment is dirty. On the boat system I have a 2 fuel filters and 1 water/fuel separator.
I find it humorous that on the 2010+ there is only a screen in the tank…. I know what I’d be doing…

 

All fuels have detergents, perhaps some brands are better than others. When you say premium do you mean brand or octane? I know it’s quite confusing but high octane/RON are not any more “premium” than low octane/RON. Jags are tuned for 91+ though.

I do like the idea of saving garage rental time and ease by getting another set of injectors properly cleaned and tested by a specialist. Should anything go amiss, you’ll spend more money on garage time to get it sorted and run the risk of having to leave there anyway. At least with spares you’ll have a backup.

 

[QUOTE=

If you cannot go this route, can you buy a used set, have them cleaned and then install? You'd end up with a spare set but it is a thought.[/QUOTE]
I like this route as injectors would be cleaned properly and tested and minimize your down time in the rented service space. Sell your current set on to be similarly recycled by a future owner.

 

Used set: Not a good experience. Bought 6 (2 of my injectors are nearly new) from Rockauto. Listed as $25 after core refund. Guaranteed Denso 0480.

Supposedly factory rebuilt at Autoline. Called Autoline and they said all their remans were bench rebuilt and flow tested Sounds good.

Got them Sealed in Autoline boxes. Yes, Densos, and new orings. BUT Looking closely they were damaged and dirty -- clearly not ultrasonically cleaned. Very surprised at Rockauto and/or Autoline failure.

See the photo below. Only one looked rebuilt.

Rockauto refunded my money, but I don't trust that if I order from them I won't get the same crapped up ones again.

 

high octane fuel from a “top tier” brand.
https://www.consumerreports.org/car-...h-extra-price/

 

I always use 100% Chevron with Techron, 93 octane on my cars. Always have. But the PO may not have, so I'm cleaning them.

Also, when I pulled them a few months ago to do the external rebuild, I was surprised that some of the internal injector filter mesh had rotted and pieces may have come loose in some injectors. Was solving another issue that day, so decided to come back when I had all the equipment to do the job (ultrasonic cleaner, electronic injector trigger) and properly backflush them. Don't know if rotted filter mesh was normal at 80K on Denso injectors (it shouldn't be), or the PO used really crappy gas and additives. Also, who knows what got in the injectors when the filters weren't there on some of them?