Fuel injector basics, clicking sound, cleaning, and checks.

How to check, test, clean fuel injectors, common faults, simple video.

[@lindonbeckford6116]

Lots of jem in this video, thamk you Abj.

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

Thank you very much for watching the video and taking the time to comment, I hope you like and subscribe 👍🏽

[@bassfan41]

This is a great lesson video. I've been chasing a rough idle for a while that has gotten better with other things done to the engine, but still not where it should be. I have fairly new Standard brand injectors on my 99 Grand Cherokee and noticed with a stethoscope that some of them sound louder than others. They ohm out alright, but I think it's time to pull them off and inspect closer. I guess just because they're newer doesn't mean they work right. Played that game before. I love that setup you have there...I might have a new toy in the future

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

I waited to respond to your comment, because it deserves a proper response, thank you for watching the video and taking the time to leave such great feedback we really appreciate viewers with your nature. We are really glad the video was able to help, and taught you something, that is our number one goal. Now shifting gears to focusing on the problem you are having, it may not be the injectors themselves, it could be on the electrical side, provide me with an email and I will send you some links to the parts he will need to build the test unit I show in the video, it’s really simple and I have use it for all sorts of things, you might look at your power supply to those injectors, and you might also check the connectors for corrosion and for tightness, I would check the harness all the way back to the ECM including the pens as well, good luck sorry for the bad punctuation I did this with voice to text, reach out if we can be of any more assistance, again thank you very much for viewing and commenting, I sure hope you like and subscribe

[@kikiscustoms]

Thank you my guy for the knowledge. I got an engine with 50k miles on it, but it was left outside. 3 were stuck from corrosion smh.

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. Most people can take things apart, but don’t know or care enough to store them properly. It sucks that this happened to you but you found me and learned something so it ain’t all bad 👍🏽 then right? Hopefully you got it going good now. Very little moisture will cause that corrosion very quickly, in fact if you ever send injectors out to be cleaned be ready to put them to work right when they get back, just trace moisture left over from the cleaning process can cause issues.

[@AliMECH]

Great work, keep up the good one

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

Thanks brother, be safe and well.

[@mryoung8586]

Thanks for the info. I just cleaned mine after 200K in Seafoam / Ultrasonic. They are much louder, so I suppose I should start shopping for a new set soon, in case they crap out

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

Hello, thanks for watching and for taking the time to drop a comment. What kind of vehicle and engine are we talking about here friend?

[@mryoung8586]

@@MechaniclifeJDM Tacoma / 5VZ-FE

[@mrssandlin3176]

Your gloves remind me of red icing lol and thank you for this video it is a blessing

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

No you are the blessing. Thank you. Now I need some cake with red icing!!

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

Keep in mind these injectors are not dampened by the fuel as they are empty So in car and pressurized they may sound a little softer, trick is to compare the sound of all, watch the entire video to absorb as much as possible, as the one tip you miss may be the one you need, if not now then in the future

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

Also if you have a question feel free to ask as I try to respectfully respond to all questions as time permits

[@KFGatica]

A detailed lecture, thank you.

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

Your very welcome 🙏🏽

[@faridh2125]

What a great video !! 👌 Quick question : my car make some tick noticable ONLY when i rev around 2000 rpm (while driving or parked) ... Can that be from the fuel injectors ? Cause i recently replaced new hyd lifters but the tick still there, And i tested the compression on 4 cylinders they are good. Did oil change, coolant, new spark plugs. Still ticking I Didn't change the ignition coil tho.. Nore the wires. Ps : Its a petrol engine, Golf6 1.6L bse. 77000 miles 2009

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

Check for exhaust leaks loose heat shielding or anything around the engine that may cause the noise, you must perform almost a forensic analysis, you can also use a technicians stethoscope to help you track it down

[@faridh2125]

@@MechaniclifeJDM thank you sir

[@chrisdelarosa1961]

Did you ever change the injectors and was it the injectors ??? This is happening to my Chevy Cruze 2011 I used a stethoscope to track down found out that the ticking is coming from my injectors gets louder when u rev it would the injectors sound super loud ticking if something is wrong with the injections?

[@dougrobinson430]

Thank you for your help!!!

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

You’re welcome, thanks for watching, and taking the time to comment. Like 👍🏽 subscribe

[@Malc.Mclagan]

Thank you. Do you rate any of those fuel additives that say they clean injectors? I have one clicking on my 3.0 V6 turbo diesel Audi a6. About 180 thousand miles on her. I will be trying the screwdriver audible check to identify the exact culprit.

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

If a diesel injector is noisy replace it, without delay.

[@R3ddyyg]

I have 1 injector on my Mazda miata NB 1.6 that clicks loudly, i can hear it when the car is idling with hood down! The other 3 click but you have to use a screwdriver or something to hear them, for what i know, it's fine and it's not faulty, but i hate that noise. Car runs fine too so i don't even know if i should buy new ones just to be sure

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

Are you sure that it is in fact the injector, and not possibly a valve-train component near to it?

[@R3ddyyg]

@@MechaniclifeJDM I've put a screwdriver on valve cover near every sparkplug and I don't ear anything weird, but there is just one injector that if I tap it, I can ear it ticking and going crazy 🤣. Shouldn't be valvetrain because the NB doesn't have hydraulic lifters and the noise is too fast to be valves imo

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

Check for evidence of arcing inside the connector

[@R3ddyyg]

@@MechaniclifeJDM as in? If the connector receives power? Sorry English ain't my first tongue.

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

Yes, the connection may be loose and the noise you hear could be arcing, look for burn marks in on the connection pins, but if you find nothing, I would still replace it if it is louder than the others by a good amount.

[@ethangreen511]

So i have a 2008 f150, 4.6l with 150,000 miles on it and i have been hearing a clicking noise coming from fuel injectors, i know they are supposed to click when working but they are pretty loud, i can hear it when idling and accelerating down the road, was wondering if it was normal for it to be that loud?

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

Are you certain its not valve train noise?

[@derderdieder9617]

So my bro-in-law has a C$ corvette,which had 38psi at the fuel rail, it has spark at the spark plugs, and it has voltage going to the fuel injectors, when we'd spray starting fluid in the throttle body it wanted to start, but didn't. So we put a stethoscope on his injectors and they were silent. We took it all apart and pulled the fuel injectors and put 12V voltage on each one individually and all of them did not click but instead buzzed. So are they all bad or just completely clogged up? Should we replace them all or try to clean them all out?

[@derderdieder9617]

I mean a C4 corvette....sorry.

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

38psi seems low, did you check what the fuel rail pressure specification is? also you don’t apply voltage for too long just little short bursts

[@bobmcnelis3648]

Very informative!!

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

I am glad to be of service, thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.

[@kurtiscal3msetccdwell618]

What actually makes the clicking noise happen in the injector? Does the plunger hit something when it reaches it's highest point or is it some kind of electrical arch sound?

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

Mechanical pintle movement hitting its limit or its seat, thats why with fuel it will be dampened, thanks for watching, taking the time to comment, we hope you like and subscribe!

[@littlekid9019]

@@MechaniclifeJDMhello. I have installed id1300 injectors and since I’ve heard this consistent tick. When I give it gas it goes away. Sometimes it’s louder then other times at idle.

[@audiophilipp]

Very informative,my motorcycle ticks like that,i was really woried,i think that i wasnt hearing that before but now i do..little strange,i have video where u can hear the sound,can i please send it to you on email ?

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

Thanks for watching and commenting! I sure do hope that you like and subscribe. Provide your email here, I will reach out to you and be happy to help. After I get your email I will delete your response to protect your privacy.

[@DragonFoust]

Hey very good vídeo, i have a corolla 1zz-fe and it makes some tick tick sound on the injectors place, can a injector be loud or when its in bad condition it doesnt change sound?

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

It depends on the failure mode, if its shorted or open electrically it wouldn’t make any noise or may be faint, but be careful because this can be caused by circuit issues as well, if its plugged and not spraying or not atomizing the fuel properly ie dribbling it could sound normal but you Would most definitely have either power loss, misfires, or a complete loss of fuel economy

[@DragonFoust]

@@MechaniclifeJDM thanks for the help dude, god bless you

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

@@DragonFoust It will also change sound when empty vs pressurized due to dampening of the pintle valve by the pressurized fuel and no problem happy to help, God bless you too brother! Be safe.

[@NeverFollowTheCrowd]

Hey I think My fuel injector faiIed its On my channel what do you think the noise could be ? poor mpgs and slow acceleration and misfires when tune On.

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

Use a very long screwdriver, or go to your local Harbor freight store and buy a technicians stethoscope. You basically will be trying to narrow down the source of the noise. To use the screwdriver, just place the tip on various components around the engine and put the other end of the screwdriver, the handle end, to your ear It may take a little bit of firm pressure for the sound to transfer well, but be careful don’t damage your hearing by doing something stupid, be very careful around rotating components such as pulleys and belts, they can launch a screwdriver across the room. This is where the technicians stethoscope really shines, If it happens to get snagged it will just bend and break in most cases. Do not forget to wear safety glasses, think what’s the worst that can happen and really try hard to prevent it. Don’t give up listen around things like the high-pressure pump, different corners of the valve cover, on the engine block near all rotating equipment such as the alternator and the belt idler‘s, don’t forget to listen to the PCV valve, listen near the transmission side of the engine, listen near the throttlebody, near the turbo, leave no stone unturned until you Find the source of the noise, and then you must report back with your findings, good luck be safe, thanks for the view, I’d appreciate a thumbs up, and a subscription if you’re feeling generous.

[@NeverFollowTheCrowd]

@@MechaniclifeJDM thank you will try your method. Subscribed liked

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

@@NeverFollowTheCrowd follow up with your results Be safe brother

[@NeverFollowTheCrowd]

@@MechaniclifeJDM UPDATE POSTED! Replaced the injectors tapping noise went away thanks for your help !

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

@@NeverFollowTheCrowd great work, thanks for updating, be safe brother!

[@djstatyk1540]

I just replaced mine on a 92 legacy ej22 and they're making a god awful crackling noise as if they are arcing! Please help!

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

Bad injectors or wiring most likely. Be careful as ecm damage can result

[@KaniZRC]

I have same porsche boxster, you can drop the entire engine much easier to rebuild. I still have original injectors with 160k every thing original except the clutch. IMS double row still the factory. Why are those Injectors are dead after cleaning?

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

I would like to hear your suggestions for dropping the engine easier, sounds like some promising tips could come out of this comment which may help others, myself included with one of these in the future, by the way thanks for watching and dropping a comment, much appreciated. I believe corrosion due to the liquid used to flush the injectors and lack of following the procedure with a follow up anti corrosion flush caused their demise.

[@catcentral855]

I remember hearing a clicking noise, my car would sometimes stutter when pressing the gas and now it doesnt start at all. Ive checked the spark plugs and thats not the problem. It sounds like a machine gun when I turn my key. No codes. Does this sound like a fuel injector? Mazda 3 2005 4 cyl

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

No sounds more like a battery terminal, battery cable, battery, or starter solenoid issue, from what you have described Does it turn/crank?

[@ionelGula]

Hi I have injections that have a good ohms reading, but have no sound when testing them, how do I make them to click again and fire fuel in the engine? Basically how do I get them unstuck.

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

Hello friend, thanks for watching and we really appreciate the thumbs up and the subscription. In response to your question, I would replace them with a new or remanufactured set, if that is not an option you can try sending them out for cleaning to RC fuel injection in Hawthorne California, I hope you find this helpful.

[@eunicenelson812]

I have a 2011 ford explorer will bad full injectors cause raw gas to fill up in intake manifold and to come through throttlebody

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

😬 consider changing the oil immediately, as that amount of fuel contamination can cause severe damage to the engine due to dilution I would remove the fuel rails with the injectors still attached if possible, and place plastic cups under each injector then key on, and observe the prime sequence in operation to find who is squirting when the should be sealed. Do not crank it, you need to let that gas either evaporate or remove the manifold to clean it out, major fire hazard, have a proper extinguisher handy, not a garden hose, water spreads gasoline fires. Also fords used to have clear flood mode Holding the pedal to the floor, ALL THE WAY DOWN, then key on and crank. should produce no injector pulse, This will allow you to clear the last little bit of flooding

[@HOST8I8]

If it clicks and sprays.... does that mean I should move to the coils?

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

Possibly, what are you experiencing What year make and model? Injectors could be leaking causing rich condition misfire Read your plugs

[@gemmateasdale7939]

BMW 3 series and my car has started making the clicking Noise when it park , No codes , car drives fine

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

Check oil level Do you mean clicking on cold start? Or all the time? When was your last oil change?

[@paulleslie9110]

What does it mean if its a single click say every 5 seconds?

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

Does the engine run rough?

[@paulleslie9110]

@@MechaniclifeJDM I haven't started it yet , I put an upgraded loom in k jetronic to ke but it was 2nd hand. That's me just putting the power through the battery and it starts clicking, no ignition

[@explorehunter]

Is it necessary to replace orings/seals when reinstalling the injectors back after cleaning them?

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

💯% you don’t want a pressurized fuel leak, or a vacuum leak, also lubricate them and the bores sparingly with parker O-Ring lube, in a pinch trans goo or light vaseline works well 👍🏽 but I recommend the proper stuff. Also cleaning around the injectors with electrical contact cleaner spray and lubricating with silicone spray will aid in removal, good luck, triple check it all!!!

[@explorehunter]

@@MechaniclifeJDM thanks for the information. OEM orings seems expensive, that's why I thought of using the old ones. At 1st it seems a bit complicated to get hands to my V8 injectors dug deep over several layers of cables and stuffs. What is trans goo?

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

@@explorehunter no sweat, maybe check out some remanufactured injectors from a reputable company usually they come with an O-Ring set too, google search the goo, and parker O-Ring lube you’ll be glad you did, heres one more, O-Rings and things google them too! Like and subscribe friend!

[@explorehunter]

@@MechaniclifeJDM thanks again my friend for the valuable info 👍👌. Will definitely search for them.

[@djstatyk1540]

So why when I turn my key on, the shit is clicking key on engine off. Then takes like 45 seconds to start!!! It's filling the cylinders with fuel when the engine is off!!! HELP!!!

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

Has there been any other work done to the vehicle? Any accessories or tuning bits?

[@ToniML200]

Hi, I have watched this video over and over many times. I've also read this video's comments and your replies to them, in one of them you said if a Diesel injector is ticking it should be replaced. I have a Golf VII 1.6 TDI (diesel) with original Delphi injectors. At least one of them is ticking (I'll send you a video later). They have never been cleaned. Car has 165k KM (about 100k miles), was mostly driven in busy town conditions by the previous owner. No idea what quality fuel they used (the in-tank fuel pump is also very loud - same sound as here kzbin.info/www/bejne/qn-zm5SdmcaskJY ). Is it worth trying to clean the injectors or shall I just replace them? I have seen other cars with the same engine as this. After many miles they had the same ticking noise (and fuel pump noise), but new ones don't come with this noise.

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

There are many styles of diesel fuel injectors, some naturally generate small ticking noises. It’s the louder noises you have to worry about, or if one is making a different noise than all the rest of them, then that would be a good indication that the injector is either dirty, worn out and failing or has a fuel supply issue or even mechanical damage. Another thing to consider is that injectors don’t always just hard fail, sometimes they just do not meter the fuel correctly, too much or too little over long period of time, causing wear to the engine because of fuel washing the cylinder walls, fuel diluting the oil, or running lean, causing it to run hotter and work harder. Then there are also exhaust system damages which can occur. You can do an oil change, run it normally for a bit and then have an oil analysis done, but I would watch a video on how to properly collect example so that you do not contaminate it and end up with false readings. This as well as checking your fuel consumption will help you determine if you have an over/under fueling condition. Don’t just throw parts at it, there are people out there who can bench test these injectors as well. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@ToniML200]

@@MechaniclifeJDM Thank you for the in-depth reply! The noise I am talking about is fairly loud, louder than the normal engine noise (normal: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKK2qaeZis2Vrsk vs mine: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZOrd42Qgpp-gqM ). I listened using a screwdriver each injector, one of them (probably 3rd from left to right) was ticking louder, but I am not a mechanic and I am unsure if my testing was correctly conducted. As for the injectors not metering the fuel correctly, would that not appear on an OBD test while driving the car? I have done that with two mechanics and both confirmed my injectors measure good. I know my EGR valve is stuck open, it never closes all the way. Could that cause this noise at idle? I know it causes a ticking of sorts at certain loads. Analyzing an oil sample is not an option in Romania, no such service is available, except overseas and it's pricey. Unless necessary, I wouldn't resort to this. As for my fuel consumption, it's high only when the engine reaches that load that causes ticking because of the EGR valve being open. Otherwise, consumption is normal I would say. I am definitely trying to avoid replacing the injectors - they are expensive - , but I doubt my mechanic has professional tools to clean them. Depending on how thorough the cleaning process must be, I could ask them to do it. What do you advise?

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

Definitely take care of that stuck open EGR valve first then monitor weekly to see if your injectors sounds are changing at all. I feel safe to assume that you have changed your fuel filters

[@ToniML200]

@@MechaniclifeJDM Alright, that's what I'll do, thank you! Of course, the fuel filter was changed back in April 2023 when the car was bought and in April 2024 again. This noise was already on the car when we bought it, but yeah, we weren't careful enough to notice it in time.

[@Hfao]

When i drive i hear a very loud clicking noise. It makes me very scared that i will damage the car overtime. How can i fix this? I recently replaced 2 injectors because because i had powerloss when driving. Pls help

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

You need to first determine the general area of the noise, you said when you drive, but is it still clicking when the car is in park? Just Idling or only when actually driving? Are your oil and coolant levels properly set? Is the oil good? What kind of car? Year make and model. If you really want help you must be very specific in your response.

[@irvingbar4569]

So mine click and spray and don't leak but I do have 2 that are loud are these bad injectors thanks my car is running rich

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

Quite possibly..... What kind of car, what engine, how many miles, any codes, anything done to troubleshoot or repair yet? I would love to help, just need more detail, mechanic here, the magician is currently off duty for the weekend... ahaha, come on you know that was funny!

[@irvingbar4569]

@@MechaniclifeJDM its a 1967 chevy camaro 5.3ls swap fresh built just used old injectors that came with the motor I pulled injectors and did a amazon kit that allows you to clean your injectors they all spray even patterns and no leaks im puzzled I pulled one of my spark plugs and they are black running rich I was told to check for leaking injectors

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

@@irvingbar4569 are you smoking black? Running rough? What year is the 5.3? Can you pull codes? Looking for misfire, random or calling out a specific cylinder

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

Also is that spark plug even firing?

[@irvingbar4569]

@@MechaniclifeJDM 1999 to 2007 yes we checked for sprak running a terminator x doesn't give me any codes just when I accelerate the car it almost shuts off kinda nose dives

[@-soundmcgee-2002]

For Supersport bike... Is it normal for Injectors to "click" while engine warms up???

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

All injectors click if you listen close enough, (use a mechanics stethoscope 🩺 or a long screwdriver, to isolate the source of the sound) it could be valve train noise you are hearing, although some noise is normal operation (especially during cold start), it may be time for a valve adjustment depending upon wether or not you have met the manufacturers mileage recommendation and if an adjustment is even permissible on your engine type.

[@-soundmcgee-2002]

@@MechaniclifeJDM the sound is while engine warms up... And yes it's like "tik tik tik tik".. Valve adjustment would be needed if sound continues after engine is warmed up.. But it usually goes away at 70°

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

@@-soundmcgee-2002 could also be an oil supply issue to the head, when was your last valve adjustment and last oil/filter change

[@-soundmcgee-2002]

@@MechaniclifeJDM doesn't matter.. As I heard for Suzuki GSX-R Engines it's a normal thing... Valve adjustment + compression was in April.. 6k Km ago ( filters + oil+spark plugs changed 4k km ago)

[@-soundmcgee-2002]

@@MechaniclifeJDM do you have any social media? Maybe FB page? I could send you video or ask there?

[@phatblack31]

Can they click and still be messed up?

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

Absolutely, as they can be clogged, and or leaking

[@3.2mviews10]

so do you recommend just cleaning the oem injectors?

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

If they ohm out ok meaning they are good electronically You can send them to RC fuel injection in Hawthorne Los Angeles California They can clean and test they will send back with a full before and after report Just install and run right away when you get them back 👍🏽

[@3.2mviews10]

@@MechaniclifeJDM wish i could bro. im in Australia

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

What kind of vehicle/engine?

[@3.2mviews10]

@@MechaniclifeJDM Ive got a JDM Ep3 Type R, K20a

[@MechaniclifeJDM]

@@3.2mviews10 They can click and still be bad, what are your symptoms exactly?