Home Made Fuel Injector Cleaning Machine

[bszopi]

I knew the filters were replaceable. Witchhunter always replaces the filters during the cleaning process. http://witchhunter.com/injectorserv1.php4

1) Injectors are externally cleaned, visual inspected, and numbered.

2) Test injectors for resistance, shorts, and current draw.

3) Perform leak test, spray pattern, and flow rate testing on our flow bench. Record the results.

4) Remove filter baskets, o-rings, and pintle caps. Bead-blast any loose paint and rust from the metal injector body.

5) The injectors are placed in our first ultrasonic cleaning tank to remove and any particles, dirt, etc that may contaminate the next two cleaning processes.

6) Into a second ultrasonic tank they go, they are now cycled on and off allowing the ultrasonic energy to dislodge any particles and build-up inside the injectors.

7) The injectors are now placed in our third ultrasonic tank for additional cleaning using a different cleaning solution. Once again they are being cycled on and off. Our three tank process insures proper results.

A high pressure back-flush is done to remove any particles inside.

9) Back to the flow bench for retesting of spray pattern, flow rate, and leak checking. This test data is also recorded

10) Install new filter baskets, o-rings, and pintle caps. (as required)

11) Prepare a comprehensive test report with before and after test data. The injectors are then packed along with the old parts for return.

[robertisaar]

I'm like Fox Mulder from "The X-Files" when I come to this place and I read with interest all inputs and ideas from others...because "I Want to Believe..." and hence... when I read about the Multecs being such a PITA because of their 'non-serviceability'... I just took it for gospel... But I have learned an important lesson here... and I am happy to share this revelation so that this damned Myth is truly...BUSTED!!!

yet more proof if someone tells you that something isn't possible, it's probably because they are profiting from it already...

[60dgrzbelow0]

Hmmm... I was also looking at this video...and it occurred to me that "The FrankInjector Machine" functions almost identically to this device...and could probably work in the same way to "decarbonize" the engine and do a concentrated cleaning of the EFIs without the hassle of having to remove them using the Schrader Valve connection just as easily as this one...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKGI9N_yWd0&

[60dgrzbelow0]

I knew the filters were replaceable. Witchhunter always replaces the filters during the cleaning process. http://witchhunter.com/injectorserv1.php4

But Brad... they left off #12:

"Remove your injectors from the car... then send them to me at your own expense... then wait for the ones I will send back to you at your expense...and yeah... one last thing...Don't forget that you have to ... PAY ME!"

[robertisaar]

Hmmm... I was also looking at this video...and it occurred to me that "The FrankInjector Machine" functions almost identically to this device...and could probably work in the same way to "decarbonize" the engine and do a concentrated cleaning of the EFIs without the hassle of having to remove them using the Schrader Valve connection just as easily as this one...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKGI9N_yWd0&

i'd be worried by the actual chemical itself... i don't like throwing things in the motor without knowing what they are. seems like there is the potential to dump a lot into the cylinder if you have an injector that likes to stay stuck open...

[bszopi]

At $19/injector, I think the price is worth it. How much have you spent so far? Nothing against you, I think its great that you made this, but it took you a bunch of trial and error to get it working. Plus all the parts required to make it. And now the price of filters, o-rings, etc. In the end, I don't plan on doing this on more than maybe 2 sets of injectors. Seems to me, sending them out and getting them back within 3 days (his typical turnaround time) is worth the cost.

[60dgrzbelow0]

I'd be worried by the actual chemical itself... I don't like throwing things in the motor without knowing what they are. Seems like there is the potential to dump a lot into the cylinder if you have an injector that likes to stay stuck open...

This is a well-founded concern... but having tried to use a wide array of mixed cleaners and solvents... what I have found out via the use of The FrankInjector Machine is that they all seem to slow down the action of the mechanical spring loaded pintles inside the Multecs and seem to spray less fluid rather than more because all of them are much more viscous than gasoline. What I think that could happen though is that rather than properly mist or atomize... it is more likely they will throw a pure liquid stream of fluid out of a non-functioning or stuck injector and risk hydro-locking the engine if the EFI stays open longer than its signaled PCM duty cycle calls for. I guess that is why they advocate just letting the motor idle through the cleaning process rather than raising the engine rpm too precipitously.

[60dgrzbelow0]

At $19/injector, I think the price is worth it. How much have you spent so far? Nothing against you, I think its great that you made this, but it took you a bunch of trial and error to get it working. Plus all the parts required to make it. And now the price of filters, o-rings, etc. In the end, I don't plan on doing this on more than maybe 2 sets of injectors. Seems to me, sending them out and getting them back within 3 days (his typical turnaround time) is worth the cost.

You will get no argument from me about the outlay of the cost in time, money and the number of things that I built that failed to live up to my expectations... all of those things were problematic... but I knew full well that I would be spending quite a lot of all of those things to get the machine in proper functioning condition... Mostly... I just hated the idea that there were so few options that placed me in control over how and what was to be done. And now that I have the satisfaction of doing it... others who come here will not have to make such a big investment... since all the R&D has for the most part, been thrashed out to make it work right. And besides... if I waited for anyone else to do what I had in my own mind to try... I might have had to wait an eternity. Now... others will not.

If all I wanted to do was obtain a set of re-conned injectors... then your solution would have been ...and still is... the best and most practical means to accomplish the job. But that is not the sole reason I chose to try to think about and create what is now made. I have always had what I call... A "CBS" Attitude... which translates into the philosophy that means I "Can't Be Stopped". That same philosophy, along with the idea of always trying to do more good than harm, has permeated every other area of my life. And so... The FrankInjector Machine is the result of wanting to solve such problems... and succeed. I think that in spite of all the obvious expenses, set backs and difficulties... I have managed to overcome all those obstacles and do... just exactly that.

In complete fairness to Brad's level-headed obeservation, it is important for me to recognize that my situation is a unique one... and I realize that there is often a fine line between inspiration ...and obsession... so it is important to be grounded in common sense about these things. I want to say that in spite of how thrilled I have been with the ultimate outcome of this experimental idea...and the machine that has evolved along the way, the best advice about this matter comes from the other forum elders...and thus... must hold sway. With that in mind, I have tried to include other optional actions along the way and peppered all these posts with these so they might be considered across the entire spectrum of EFI cleaning solutions. But for those of us who enjoy this sort of thing...and have two or even three cars and trucks in our driveway that would be tempting to clean all their EFIs over time... this machine might prove itself more practical and fun to have and use in the long run.

One last thought... the development of this "Frankenstein" of an EFI Cleaning Machine happened here first...on a forum where collaboration... criticism... and encouragement towards success... all come right along with knowing each and every person having an interest in the outcome came here to look and see what we were doing...and served to help drive this process to a happy conclusion. And that is what I like about coming here to --==www.60degreev6.com==-- the most!

[60dgrzbelow0]

For this post, I have to set "The WayBack machine" to the part in this Epic Post where I was looking for a decent power supply to run the dual OTC EFI Testers and handle three (3) injectors at a time with power and decent stability. These ideas were supplied by Superdave and Robertisaar and lead me to do some other research on the matter and deciding upon Dave's notion for employing an ATX Power Supply...and that thing has well and truly done the trick.

But what I failed to list in that portion of the project development was the below listed link to the subject of Computer Power Supplies and their various power take offs and how to re-work and use them in conventional and even some unconventional ways. This link and information probably also belongs in the off-topic areas of Desktop Computers... but I have not found a specific forum link here specific to the subject matter. This text and image link is very informative and actually... is a pretty cool and useful thing to know about...

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html

[60dgrzbelow0]

Oops.... Damn.... Sorry about the DP (Double Post)....

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html

[robertisaar]

cool document, even if it is a little outdated now. would definitely help with someone who has no idea why there are so many colors on the wires running out of the power supply.

[pocket-rocket]

You will get no argument from me about the outlay of the cost in time, money and the number of things that I built that failed to live up to my expectations... all of those things were problematic... but I knew full well that I would be spending quite a lot of all of those things to get the machine in proper functioning condition... Mostly... I just hated the idea that there were so few options that placed me in control over how and what was to be done. And now that I have the satisfaction of doing it... others who come here will not have to make such a big investment... since all the R&D has for the most part, been thrashed out to make it work right. And besides... if I waited for anyone else to do what I had in my own mind to try... I might have had to wait an eternity. Now... others will not.

If all I wanted to do was obtain a set of re-conned injectors... then your solution would have been ...and still is... the best and most practical means to accomplish the job. But that is not the sole reason I chose to try to think about and create what is now made. I have always had what I call... A "CBS" Attitude... which translates into the philosophy that means I "Can't Be Stopped". That same philosophy, along with the idea of always trying to do more good than harm, has permeated every other area of my life. And so... The FrankInjector Machine is the result of wanting to solve such problems... and succeed. I think that in spite of all the obvious expenses, set backs and difficulties... I have managed to overcome all those obstacles and do... just exactly that.

In complete fairness to Brad's level-headed obeservation, it is important for me to recognize that my situation is a unique one... and I realize that there is often a fine line between inspiration ...and obsession... so it is important to be grounded in common sense about these things. I want to say that in spite of how thrilled I have been with the ultimate outcome of this experimental idea...and the machine that has evolved along the way, the best advice about this matter comes from the other forum elders...and thus... must hold sway. With that in mind, I have tried to include other optional actions along the way and peppered all these posts with these so they might be considered across the entire spectrum of EFI cleaning solutions. But for those of us who enjoy this sort of thing...and have two or even three cars and trucks in our driveway that would be tempting to clean all their EFIs over time... this machine might prove itself more practical and fun to have and use in the long run.

One last thought... the development of this "Frankenstein" of an EFI Cleaning Machine happened here first...on a forum where collaboration... criticism... and encouragement towards success... all come right along with knowing each and every person having an interest in the outcome came here to look and see what we were doing...and served to help drive this process to a happy conclusion. And that is what I like about coming here to --==www.60degreev6.com==-- the most!

But at the same time, you now have more knowledge with what to do with a dirty set of injectors and you've had a pretty cool learning experience in my book

[60dgrzbelow0]

Thanks Pocket... It has been a "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" from beginning to end...LOL...

Here is another member looking at solving this problem in a less expensive manner. There are some good ideas here...

http://60degreev6.com/forum/f97/cleaning-injectors-the-cheap-way-t45708

[Texan4Life]

admit it, you know you did a five finger discount at a GM laboratory late one night after took many beers.

Great looking setup!

and for those who don't understand this type of project. its not about saving money (though that happens most of the time) or your time. 90% of it is having fun and learning new things during the build and the other 10% is the satisfaction of it working and living up to or exceeding your expectations.

[60dgrzbelow0]

admit it, you know you did a five finger discount at a GM laboratory late one night after took many beers.

Great looking setup!

and for those who don't understand this type of project. its not about saving money (though that happens most of the time) or your time. 90% of it is having fun and learning new things during the build and the other 10% is the satisfaction of it working and living up to or exceeding your expectations.

Thanks "Tex"... but as you well know... the usual formulae and movie plots is for "The Little Guy" to dream up something their engineers never thought of...and wait for the "Evil Corporations" to steal it from THEM!

Okay... A New Development!

I have to say that I am fairly excited about a recent development concerning an email I received from an otherwise "shy" member/reader of this thread who also just happens to be an Electrical Engineer interested in developing his own "electronic control panel" that would serve to give some greater variability over how to activate and actuate Electronic Fuel Injectors. He seems very keen on what has been done with "The FrankInjector Machine" so far, knowing full well that it is wanting a more practical means of actuating the EFIs during the cleaning process than my solution of using the twin OTC devices...even to the point of allowing this to occur "unattended" (which I would never recommend). I have agreed to test out whatever device(s) he comes up with... with his permission and my understanding that he may want to design, build, market and sell what ever it is he manages to get to to work is a separate project from my own "Open Source" EFI Cleaning Machine. I'll keep everyone "posted" as we correspond about this idea.