How To Clean Your Outboard Fuel Injectors At Home (Easy Way)

[@ericdavi1231]

I wish I would of had this channel a few years ago. Had problems with the EFI 250 that came on my boat. It was all fuel problems. Started with the fuel separator in the boat, worked my way to the filter on the motor. Then worked my way to the high pressure pump (didn’t know about the low pressure pump). Then discovered the low pressure pump, then removed the injectors, took them to a shop for cleaning and reinstalled them. Spent about a year and a half trouble shooting and figuring stuff out. Now she runs like a champ!!

[@BornAgainBoating]

Oh man, a year and a half, that's harsh! That's awesome that you got it all worked out though! Nice work!

[@ericdavi1231]

Born Again Boating ... I still used the boat during that time. Every time I changed something it got a little better but still wasn’t quite right. Oh yeah, and my VST gasket was $50 bucks! They stick it to you on discontinued parts!

[@BornAgainBoating]

Well you got it done and that's awesome! Hahaha yeah, $50 piece of rubber, it's magic rubber!

[@ttabbles]

I got lucky when I stumbled upon your videos !!! You do a great job with video, audio, and the way you present tech knowledge .... Very professional and informative.. Very much appreciated..

[@BornAgainBoating]

Wow, thanks!

[@thewills9481]

This video is excellent, and the best part is right at the end where you SNEAK IN HOW TO TAKE OFF THE VST (Vapor Separator Tank). What an elegant process to a problem that seemed so complicated; you helped this shade tree mechanic actually get my Yamaha motor working again. Nice!!

[@CptAJbanned]

Have you tried finding a replacement for the expensive filter? Some mechanics over here in venezuela figured out a simple way to adapt cheap car fuel pumps for the merc EFI VST. Replacement cost goes from $200 to 20$. Works like a charm.

[@The.Norwegian]

i'm and outboard mechanic. i have to say that this does almost the same job of cleaning the injectors as the professional tools we use. if you put gas in the line, and correctly regulate the air pressure, you could even see if the atomization of the fuel is correct. it's crude, but it works i guess. and yeah, if you have a certain kind of debree in your injector that the solvent can't dissolve, then you will have to replace them.

[@gerardosullivan7126]

If there was debris in the injector blocking it from the inside, could you set up the hose and air gun on the nozzle side and blow the cleaner back through it in reverse using the same process? Id think id remove the injector inlet strainer first though.

[@Sumo_Fowl]

Good question

[@safehto]

Thanks!

[@gcuervogold]

My 04 Vmax 250 hpdi is maxing out at 4100rpms. Fuel pressure is low at around 28psi. After seeing your vid, I'm going to open her up, clean the vst and replace the pump. I'll be changing out my low pressure pumps as well since the tank will be off and replace all my spark plugs. Hopefully that'll remedy my low rpm problem🙏

[@garyjarvis5415]

Great video. I got water in my fuel system. I cleaned the VST, replaced metal filter. Now I need to clean injectors. Does it matter + or - when hooking wires to the injectors ?

[@treeguyable]

Had my injectors out 3 times now, in my 150 4 stroke outboard Yamaha. ( getting pretty quick at it, easy to get to) (Boat sat for 2 yrs.) Yesterday, went for a test run, after a good cleaning. Went from a crappy 3500 rpm max last week, to a great ,5600 rpm yesterday. It only lasted an hr or so, then dropped to 4600 rpm max. Had the complete fuel system off, vst and all. Filter, lines, tank contents , all looked good. New check valve at tank, new fuel line and cannister filter, very little water was in bottom of filter. Blew out injectors, with compressed air, reverse, then forward, before re- installing. I wonder if injectors need replacing, or something down stream, is actually clogging them up after an hr or so? Hmm?

[@daM3ETR]

I know this is an older video but what psi are you using? Is there any possible benefits from doing the same thing but from a “reverse flow” with the hose on the nozzle side to flush any crud that isn’t dissolved back out instead of possibly getting it stuck worse?

[@outdoorschick]

You're an absolute legend for this video! Can't wait to get my hands dirty.

[@BornAgainBoating]

Lol thank you :)

[@larrysharp4333]

I have a 2001 mercury efi and I have used your videos to find spark all the way to the cylinder and now believe I have 2 bottom injectors clogged. I don’t see the rail on it the way it shows on other outboards but I’m hoping I can locate them and try this. Thank you for this instruction.

[@bgardam9347]

your fuel rail and injectors are inside the front manifold cover

[@akshunwill]

The big metallic cover on the boat side of the motor.

[@alpoktemornek7833]

Thanks for the video, my suzuki df 30 has a problem; it starts well and runs smoothly, but after running over 4500 rpm for a while it loses power and rpm starts goin down and up. Fuel filters, lines and low pressure pump has been changed but the problem goes on. If you have an idea please share with me🙏

[@BornAgainBoating]

Probably something wrong with the fuel getting to the engine, like the new low pressure pump is trying to get fuel from the new lines and filter, but there is something else wrong and it isn't able to keep up with the amount of fuel the VST can provide to the engine. You can check these out for some reference: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmrSk2Ztd6hjaLs kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWjIeoiuaseDlc0 kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5TZnINupbemiLs&t Also, could be the high pressure pump could be dirty or something like that, dirty filter on the pump, etc.: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6XdXmyVYsSXis0 That will be a similar video, hopefully that helps and you get it figured out! If not, we could help out a little more in the Boater's Program where you can message and upload pictures and videos, you can check that out here: www.bornagainboating.com/ But hopefully you get it figured out ;)

[@Nudnik1]

Blow through injectors in reverse not fwd. Dirt will clog tiny holes at spray tip. Same as diesel injectors.

[@edwardburrowes4243]

Hi thanks for the informative video,I just ultrasonically cleaned and changed the seal and o rings on my Yamaha hpdi 200 when I turn the flywheel by hand I can hear air coming from where the injectors meet the block is this normal? Thanks

[@kempdavid7802]

Thanks for all your videos as they are extremely helpful, especially since a few of your videos involve the yamaha z300 HPDI as that's the motor I have. Is there a way to test the High Pressure Fuel Pump? Most searches online only pulls up information on the electric fuel pump inside the VST, which I believe most people mistake for the HP Fuel Pump. I'm trying to find a way to test the fuel pump just above the fuel rails.

[@BornAgainBoating]

Thank you! Um, not really, the best way to test those mechanical high pressure pumps is by putting them on a computer and seeing what the fuel pressure is. :/ other than that you have to send them to somewhere like Flagship to get tested or rebuilt. :/ Idk any other tricks to them besides taking the screens out, but that's it. :/

[@wassawbound2926]

Born Again Boating oh, I see you answered my question already. I guess I’ll be sending my pump out. I kind want to make sure my engine runs before spending the $700 to rebuild the pump. Do you think it’s safe to turn the engine over? I figure I’ll have to clean the injectors again. My pump has powder like corrosion where I removed the HP fuel lines. I worry the entire internals of the pump look that way. The last guy didn’t maintain his anodes so it appears the HP pump became the anode.

[@Goaheadgimmehead]

For that barrel filter above the vst that weird fitting that you got to come loose with the needle nose.. well mine broke and I called a Yamaha dealer and they those fittings are discontinued do you think a regular hose clamps will work to keep it locked together?

[@BornAgainBoating]

Oh no! That's never good, um, idk about them being discontinued. Should be a part number: 68F-24300-00-00 and there are plenty available in the Yamaha warehouses and you can even get them from Amazon: amzn.to/2HAlhx5 The hose clamp might work, but I've never tried that :) That should be the part number for all the HPDI's 150-300. If you have the year and horsepower I can look it up for you but I'm pretty sure they are all the same :)

[@TeacherBrunoOneil]

I used a syringe but like you said, it's better a compressor.. I used an adjustable power supply because the injector tends to heat up and I was scared to damage it in the process.. so I adjusted the current and set the voltage to 12v. it sprays just beautifully... sorry english isn't my native language.

[@shah19911]

We are proud of your teaching

[@on1ytheb3st]

Is there any way to do a quick clean of the carburetor jets while they are still on the outboard of a 2-stroke?

[@BornAgainBoating]

You could run power tune in the fuel, or try and spray them out with some contact cleaner, but that's a shoot in the dark, usually they need to be removed and truly cleaned :(

[@thediplomasta5891]

Depends on the model, and usually you can't get the bottom carb anyway.

[@on1ytheb3st]

@@BornAgainBoating @thediplomasta5948 So for my particular Johnson carb after disassembling the carb I figured out the air orifice at the front jets straight into the idle circuit and the high speed jet circuit is right behind the bowl drain bolt. So both were accessible without disassembly. Unfortunately my problem was the float needle valve was stuck in its seat and the carb was not getting fuel so I had to disassemble anyways.

[@geslergarcia9807]

Thank you very much for every video. keep it up, your english its very clear and every explanation its detailed. You're helping a big boaters' community.

[@BornAgainBoating]

Glad to hear that!

[@thediplomasta5891]

2005 dfi 150 here. It appears that these air and fuel injectors don't have any screens in them, when looking at the microfiche. Is that true? Or are they simply not shown?

[@BornAgainBoating]

Probably not shown, but they are probably there, usually they are a part of the injector and it's not really a serviceable part, but they have screens, well most have some sort of a filter built into them :)

[@thediplomasta5891]

@BornAgainBoating ok, I pulled an injector out of the rail today. They do have screens. They're shaped like a wedding band. They slide right off after you remove the primary o-ring. I couldn't find any articles about these fuel injectors, or a video of anyone removing one, only info on the air injectors. In fact, me telling you that these F.I do have screens right here, is the only place online that says that! 🤣 Now that I have a photo of one, I'm sure they can be found. I would show you, but ...hey do you have an Instagram or other photo sharing media?

[@Mroswaldo16]

Dam, my brother vmaxx 250, just lets go, accelerate, lets go back & forth when trying to get on plane. Cant go full throttle. We might have to do this

[@alexander20991]

Great Videos and always helpful information . Snowing like crazy here in Nova Scotia and with the Covid Crap your videos are helping to keep me somewhat sane :-) How do I get a Shelter Bay Marina Long sleeve T-Shirt , like yours ??

[@SmDJeremy]

You used kroil on your o-rings, right? Correct me if i'm wrong, but that's a penetrating fluid, is it not? Or does it work all the same?

[@BornAgainBoating]

Anything really, just some form of oil or grease or anything to get it lubed up lol :)

[@bgardam9347]

my merc 225 efi has correct fuel pressure, good spark on all cylinders, compression is 110 in every cylinder. but it is only running on the 2 middle cylinders, i can pull the other 4 plug leads off and makes no difference. those plugs are dry when i inspect them. the previous owner had water go through the fuel system. i think 4 injectors are not working , would the water have done this.

[@BornAgainBoating]

Yes the water could rust up and plug up the injectors

[@bgardam9347]

@@BornAgainBoating thanks , i will try cleaning them

[@hnd450]

should the basket filter in the fuel injector be changed? just got new to me boat not sure if its ever been done

[@BornAgainBoating]

If you don't have any issues, I would leave them alone. You generally don't need to get into messing with the fuel injectors unless you get some really dirty fuel or water which gets up to the injectors :)

[@MrRojas54]

Hey bro. Your content is nothing short of awesome. What are your thoughts on applying an anti-seize/grease to the injectors after removal on the hpdi? I had one that was REALLY stuck and don’t want to go through that again😬

[@wassawbound2926]

Is there any other brand cleaner than QuickSilver that works? I’m not sure if there’s a store near me that carries it. Yes, I bought that junk HPDI 250. Lol It has 120 compression on 5 cylinders and 150 on one. I’m hopeful I can get her running. The corrosion is pretty bad and wire harness is chard. I want to go through the fuel system completely. A number of lines looked gummed up.

[@BornAgainBoating]

I suggest still using that power tune, or you could use Johnson Evinrude Engine Tuner, one of those will work. You should be able too, hopefully the engine isn't in too bad of shape :) when they run they run great!

[@wassawbound2926]

Born Again Boating Thanks. I guess I’ll order some. I started with using SeaFoam engine cleaner. Silly me. I held the injector contractor open too long and blew the first one up. It was loud! Lol I should have known better. Hot coil + flammable + pressure = bang! There’s a suggestion for a video of what not to do. Unfortunately I wasn’t filming. PS my VST appears to have a jelly fish inside of it. Lol. Question for the High Pressure Pump, send it out for refurbishment or DIY?

[@eallanboggs]

Do you ever flush from the other end? Better to force trash out of the Mystery Filter instead of the holes in the pintle Those holes are tiny. When you replace the Mystery Filters what is the metric screw size you use to pull the filter What is the diameter and thread pitch of the screw? I see video where people use sheet metal screws

[@BornAgainBoating]

Yes, you can back flush them just the same. Not sure on the screw size, I think it's like a 6mm. Drywall screws work, I usually just grab one from a catch all self tapping screw bin and the one that fits is the one to use. Check on the filters though, because sometimes you can't find them, some companies don't sell the filters separately and just sell the injector :/

[@davidd8435]

Is there a fuel additive you can add to help keep the injectors clean?

[@BornAgainBoating]

Yes, Yamaha Ring Free: amzn.to/2Wjn5jN is really good, and then Mercury's Quickleen: amzn.to/2MzBiVe is also pretty good!

[@TheDoug9901]

Additives kind of work but if plugged not so much

[@BD_Ozarks]

My mechanic is stumped. Can you help? I have a 2016 Suzuki 200 four stroke fuel injected outboard. Runs fine up to 3000 rpm. When you push throttle past that, the RPMs increase but then immediately “bogs” down and RPM falls back to 2,000-3,000. My mechanic replaced the VST and still the same problem. He then replaced the high pressure fuel pump and still the same problem. Do you have any idea what might be causing the issue? Thanks for your help.

[@stephendavis5392]

Hoping for a little insight. I have a Optimax 225 I'm going through. I've cleaned the vst and fuel rail so far, and there was a ton of black dirt, some white film from ethanol being used, and when I pulled the injectors, there was rust. I was told my the last owner it hadn't been started in 2 summers. So My thought was water had been ran through the system and the reason for no cranking. My question that I'm hoping you can help with is. I'm doing the 9-volt method of cleaning them with air pressure and even took off the filters, but I'm not getting any flow in the injector. So if hooking up to a 12volt (maybe these injectors need that to run) doesn't cause it to pulse, am I looking at getting new injectors, or is there a way to rebuild or clean them even more? I hear a click but none or spraying? Thanks so much for your help.

[@BornAgainBoating]

Hey stephen, yes, you should use the 12 volts over the 9. And if they are clicking you should be able to get them to flow! You can try and soak them in power tune and see if that will free them up. Then using some pressure behind the power tune when pulsing the power to it. If not, then you can send them out to somewhere like flagship and see if they can get them to free up and flow for you. Outside of that, you would need injectors :( Hope this helps!

[@stephendavis5392]

Should I do anything to the air injectors, or do they not play a role where they can be stuck? I went ahead and pulled the fuel rail and pull them, and cleaned everything the best I can. As far as the injectors go, should I push it with just a syringe or put a certain amount of air pressure to it with a compressor?

[@johnpike5836]

Getting Out in Front of; Injector/carb jet fouling is wise? *AMS Oil especially for injectors = lower volumes of Oil per mixture and an overall much better quality lubricant. *Gasoline Quality (you've heard the rumors about Marina gas pumps) Both the above will increase mileage gas wise, maintenance "seasonal" (down time in season). I'd run a 5gal. tank of aviation fuel twice a season. Noticeably smoother idle/and peppy. But, I did have my power heads shaved 70th. disclaimer alert.

[@nobody46820]

When running aviation fuel, did you check your compression ratio to dial in the correct octane rating? Or doesn't it matter?

[@johnpike5836]

@@nobody46820 It Matters; I had the heads shaved 70th therefore it was required. good question.

[@nobody46820]

@@johnpike5836 Nice, do you happen to have your new compression ratio?

[@johnpike5836]

@@nobody46820 That boat and motor are long gone, My tech guy had all the specs. Do forgive cheers

[@nobody46820]

@@johnpike5836 Will do. Thanks for the reply!😁

[@Chuckcia]

Best discovery so far for me in youtube!

[@eddo5617]

Just curious why we don’t just disconnect the main fuel line and hook up fuel injection cleaner to engine side and let the low and high fuel pumps do their job ? Same as you just did but gonna be a lot quicker and less chance of ruin your injectors seals and possible damaging injectors by prying them off ?

[@BornAgainBoating]

Hello! Rose here, assisting Aaron with comments. Fantastic question! It's going on our podcast feature list. Haven't checked it out yet? Subscribe here: www.youtube.com/@TheBoatersPodcast

[@tallchicago1]

I like your idea here, simpler and does the same thing with less risk to damaging anything (as you stated). I'm wondering if you tried your idea here and how it worked out for you? Any thoughts most welcome. Thanks

[@anthonyhuntsinger3215]

Fuel Injectors or something else? Mercury Verado 225, 600 hours. What is likely the symptom? The motor starts, idles, and runs good, at 4000 and up is stalls out and /or surges. Need some help, would this be injectors, HP fuel pump. Fuel filters are new and clean. At times the motor will accelerate over 4000rpm to full throttle 5000 rpm..

[@JoseRivera-ko5uo]

Thanks for the video🤙🏻

[@biggare3586]

cant figure out how to remove injectors on 2004 Merc. 60hp fourstroke

[@jbettss]

How do you do this with an optimax since it has both air and fuel injectors? do them one at a time or hold them both together? Thanks.

[@BornAgainBoating]

The same way, just on the air injectors you have to use a piece of 3/8" hose and a hose clamp, as well as take the o-ring off of the injector when putting the hose on.

[@jbettss]

Born Again Boating Sweet, thanks man. I really appreciate these videos and your help.

[@Mroswaldo16]

So cant power it straight from battery? We connected it & doesnt do anything

[@TheZbadam1]

Anyone know why the fuel filter is so expensive?

[@thediplomasta5891]

Becuz you need it.

[@seanjmichel]

Doing this exact thing to a 1996 3.0 merc efi this weekend. Any tips for that particular motor?

[@BornAgainBoating]

Awesome! Not really, most injectors are pretty much the same. This is only a DIY at home type of cleaning. If they are really bad and need to be flowed, you'll have to get them rebuilt or replace them. Hopefully they aren't that bad and a little pressure and power tune will clean them out and get you going again! :)

[@seanjmichel]

@@BornAgainBoating if anything it will help me narrow down which ones are bad. Motor has developed a lean sneeze. Thanks for the reply.

[@seanjmichel]

Hey it worked. Motor is running better than is has in a very long time. Thank you for this channel.

[@robertspencergringley8219]

What does it mean if it starts and runs but after a few minutes won't idle then dies New fuel pump, stator, clean fuel filter, capacitor Voltage drops after a few minutes

[@timothywestbrook6695]

What year is the HPDi motor in Video

[@BornAgainBoating]

I believe it is a 2004

[@artifishalsportfishing7224]

What can cause a 225 Yamaha 4 stroke to run rough at idle but seemingly fine otherwise

[@BornAgainBoating]

Idle air controller, (IAC), and then a sync and link. Thats a good place to start :)

[@artifishalsportfishing7224]

@@BornAgainBoating thanks. I feel like I can hear an air hissing sound above the injectors and intake. It may be a normal thing that I have never noticed. Will that cause a noise?

[@BornAgainBoating]

@@artifishalsportfishing7224 yes, and it will click when you turn the key off

[@HiTechDiver]

Good video. Unfortunately, I have an Etec, which is probably quite a bit different.

[@colbybud]

I was reading that a 9v battery is safer than using a 12v? is there any credence to this?

[@BornAgainBoating]

Not that I know of, I just use leads from a battery so straight 12vdc. The pump runs on 12vdc as well

[@mchaves7663]

The issue is the amperage, if you leave (forget) the injector connected for a long period, a minute, the coil inside of the injector will burn

[@dallasurwin1792]

Great thanks for the tips and lesson

[@208miuwu]

Great video and thanks a MILLION

[@BornAgainBoating]

No worries, thank you!

[@dannykibbe6613]

great ,down to the point!

[@eddo5617]

I used to be Toyota tech for 16 years. That’s how we performed fuel injection services. I don’t think outboard engines are any different.

[@michaelmurrietta2263]

Another good video

[@_noname617]

next summer i'll be re-watching this vid.. thanks for sharing

[@BornAgainBoating]

Awesome, you're welcome, thank you!

[@andymunnings9665]

How much air pressure do you use on the injector

[@BornAgainBoating]

Thank you for your question! Please post it in our Born Again Boating Community! Go here and scroll down to access - it’s free: www.bornagainboating.com/

[@ToyBox-tq8hz]

@@BornAgainBoating can't fill out math problem to complete registration

[@luismonzon4601]

Great vídeo 👏👏

[@BornAgainBoating]

Thank you!

[@snagdfishing]

Very useful!

[@BornAgainBoating]

Thank you!

[@Vabasseroutdoors1]

Awesome video! New to your channel

[@BornAgainBoating]

Thank you!

[@Vabasseroutdoors1]

👍

[@darrylstem6426]

i bet you had to do the ones on the motor because they were siezed in the heads

[@BornAgainBoating]

Yes sir!

[@wassawbound2926]

I managed to get mine free by spraying SeaFoam deep creep on them then I came back at them 24hours later with a pair of channel locks. 5 of 6 were seized. Hopefully this cleaning trick works.

[@Technicalworld_channel]

nice video , thanks for sharing

[@BornAgainBoating]

Thank you!

[@JDA247]

You da man

[@deepseadeepsea7243]

keep up good vedio

[@DMD81773]

This doesn't always work. I've done it and I have an injector pulsator. I ended up having to get new injectors

[@BornAgainBoating]

No, sometimes injectors are past the point of being able to clean :( Even with the best equipment, sometimes they need rebuilt :)

[@holliwood3226]

I get it. Blow all the crap that is clogging your fuel injector into and through the tiny injector nozzle. Don't even try to blow it out backward, away from the tiny nozzle. Always blow it further in. I guess my daddy taught me wrong. I feel so stupid now that I realize I've been doing it wrong all these years.

[@michaelmcintosh8117]

don't feel bad, that is how they are back flushed.

[@gregrupar135]

That doesn’t work for an etec

[@nobody46820]

Crikey! 😟$100 for an inline barrel filter?!?!? Why not just find a less expensive version and install that?

[@BornAgainBoating]

Hahah, never tried that either :) who knows if it would work or not! That high pressure pump is super expensive though, so idk if I would risk it :)

[@nobody46820]

@@BornAgainBoating FFS at $100, I'd be willing to do some testing and tell everybody! Convenient that they used the pump as an excuse to increase the filter price.

[@NonTypicalRacing]

Should remake this vid someday and talk less rampy and condescending.

[@outlaw565]

When my customers try to play mechanic and fk it up more i just charge more. Most all 99% of work i see done by the customer is hazardous.

[@gregorywright2798]

Do you change Your oil without changing the oil filter? Why are you cleaning the injector without changing the filter in the top of the injector. That doesn't make any sense to Me. If there is Dirt in the filter it will be in the filter even after you clean it. Cleaning the Injectors doesn't mean they're clean, putting the Injectors on a machine that's uses Graduated Cylinders to check the Flow Rates and a Spray Booth to Check the Spray Pattern, is the Best Way to test Injectors Injectors. I get injectors all the time that have supposedly been cleaned and they are terrible. Bad Spray Pattern and Spray Volumes That are not too Factory Spec,s So Clean Them Right Way, do the Customer and Your Self a Good Service! Two Stroke Don't Take Kindly too a Lean Injectors. Greg From Wright Gasoline Injector Testing and Cleaning Service S/W area of Tampa Bay Fl. My Motto, Do it WRight. 50 Years Experience in Injector Systems Repair and Service and Injector Cleaning. The European ASNU System Machine Also if You put Battery Power 100% on a Low Resistance Injector, You WILL MELT OR SHORT THE INJECTOR COIL. H P D I Injectors are about 2.5 Ohms. 4.5 amps of Current. Any Solenoid under 40 Ohms is not a 100% Duty Cycle Coil. Lessons Learned Through the Years.