How to Change the Fuel Injectors on Ford Cars

If you have been experiencing engine misfires or if your Ford car is idling choppy and rough, you should inspect your fuel injectors Ford car damage or leaks. If you have been getting poor gas mileage recently, fuel injector leaks might also be the problem. These components work by injecting fuel into the engine cylinder prior to combustion. Fortunately, if the fuel injectors in your Ford car have become worn or faulty, you can change them yourself at home Ford car a fraction of the cost you would spend in a repair shop.

Under The Hood:

• How to Change the Fuel Injectors on a 5.4 Ford Engine
• How to Change the Fuel Injectors in a Ford Escort
• How to Replace a Fuel Injector in a Ford Focus
• How to Replace a Fuel Injector in a Ford Taurus
• How to Replace a Fuel Injector in a Ford Explorer

 How to Change the Fuel Injectors on a 5.4 Ford Engine

Fuel Injector Removal

Depressurize the fuel line. Open the passenger side kick plate in the cab to expose the fuel safety cut-off switch. Unplug the switch to turn off the fuel pump. Attempt to start the engine several times to reduce the fuel pressure in the lines. Disconnect the vehicle's battery.

Disconnect the vacuum hoses and electronics connected to the air intake tube. Disconnect the air intake tube from the throttle body and air filter box and set aside. Remove any vacuum lines or devices restricting access to the fuel rails.

Unplug the electronics from each fuel injector. The fuel injectors will be connected to the chrome fuel rail. Remove the two bolts securing the fuel rail to the engine.

Lift the fuel rail from the fuel injectors. Rock the fuel rail side to side to disengage the fuel rail from each injector head. Because the fuel rail is rigid, the four injectors connected to the fuel rail must be disconnected for full access to the fuel injector. Fuel will spill from the fuel rail nozzles. Wipe away any fuel, or allow the fuel to evaporate before continuing.

Inspect the fuel injector heads for the O-ring. If an O-ring is not present on the fuel injector, look inside the fuel rail and remove the O-ring. Remove the singe retaining bolt holding the injector in place. Move the bolts away from the engine so they do not fall into the engine during the servicing process.

Grasp each injector with your hands and pull upward to dislodge the injector from the engine. If the injector resists strong pulling, rock the injector back and forth until the injector pulls free. Do not use pliers to remove the injectors if you intend to use the same injectors, as damage may occur. Account for all O-rings -- two per injector -- before continuing.

Installation

Install new O-rings on all the injectors. New injectors usually come with O-rings pre-installed. Lubricate each O-ring with motor oil before the fuel injector is installed in the engine. Apply the motor oil to the O-ring with your finger.

Place each fuel injector, nozzle first, into the injector hole. Align the retaining bolt hole with the hole on the engine. Press the injector downward to allow the O-ring to be seated in the engine. You may feel a slight popping sensation as the O-rings are seated. A properly seated injector will resist upward pulling. Insert and tighten the retaining bolt for each injector.

Connect the fuel rails to the injectors. Align each fuel injector head with the fuel rail connection. The fuel rail will have more room at the front of the engine than at the back; work from the back of the engine forward during the alignment to ensure each injector head does not become dislodged from the fuel rail. Press downward on the fuel rail over each injector, working from back to front, until all injectors are properly seated. As with the engine, a properly seated injector will resist disconnection.

Connect the fuel injector electronics plug.

Install all vacuum lines, components removed, air intake and electronics in the original position. Attach the vehicle's battery. Reconnect the fuel safety cut-off switch inside the passenger kick plate of the vehicle's cab.

Turn the ignition key to the "electronics only" mode. Wait 10 seconds for the fuel lines to pressurize. Turn the key off and repeat. Inspect the fuel rails for leaks. Start the engine to check installation.

 How to Change the Fuel Injectors in a Ford Escort

Unplug the fuel pump fuse manually from the fuse panel below the dash board. Turn over the engine to release the fuel pressure from the fuel system.

Prop open your hood with the support rod and manually detach the fuel feed and fuel return lines from the fuel rail. Disconnect the fuel pressure regulator from the fuel rail manually.

Grab the tabs on the retainer clips that hold the fuel injectors on the electric harness pull out the clips and the electric harness manually.

Unbolt the fuel rail from the cylinder head on the engine block and slide it up and out. Pull the fuel injectors off of the fuel rail manually.

Push the new fuel injectors onto the fuel rail. Work in reverse order to put everything back together. Start your Ford Escort.

 How to Replace a Fuel Injector in a Ford Focus

Determine which fuel injector your Ford Focus will need. This depends not only on the make and model, but also the engine size. Models made from 2000 to 2007 can be equipped with a 2.0L or 2.3L engine. Models made after 2007 will have a 2.0L engine.

Relieve the fuel system pressure and disconnect the negative battery cable with a socket wrench. Remove the electrical connector and vacuum hose from the fuel injector.

Release the retaining clips from the fuel injection supply manifold and detach the fuel supply line. Loosen the mounting bolts for the fuel injection supply manifold so you can take out the manifold. Remove the fuel injector and discard the old O-rings.

Install the new fuel injectors into the fuel injection supply manifold and apply a small amount of clean engine oil to the new O-rings before installing them. Use a torque wrench to tighten the mounting bolts for the fuel supply manifold to 18 foot pounds.

Attach the fuel supply line, vacuum hose, and electrical connector to the fuel injector. Connect the negative battery cable with a socket wrench.

Start the engine and check for fuel leaks.

 How to Replace a Fuel Injector in a Ford Taurus

Determine which fuel injector your Ford Taurus will need. This depends not only on the make and model, but also the engine size. Models made from 1986 to 1991 have a 2.5L HSC, 3.0L Vulcan or 3.8L engine. The 2.5L engine was dropped for 1992 to 1995 models and post-1995 models will have a 3.0L engine.

Relieve the fuel system pressure and disconnect the negative battery cable with a socket wrench. Detach the air cleaner outlet tube and fuel supply lines from the fuel injector. Remove the upper intake manifold and the electrical connectors for the fuel injector.

Disconnect the vacuum line for the fuel pressure regulator and the fuel supply manifold with a socket wrench. You will now be able to detach the fuel injectors from the lower intake manifold.

Install the new fuel injectors using new O-ring seals and tighten the fuel supply mounting bolts to 89 inch pounds with a torque wrench. Connect the vacuum line for the fuel pressure regulator. Replace the electrical connectors and upper intake manifold for the fuel injector. Attach the fuel supply lines for the fuel injector and connect the air cleaner outlet tube.

Connect the negative battery cable, start the engine and check for leaks.

 How to Replace a Fuel Injector in a Ford Explorer

Determine which fuel injector your Ford Explorer will need. This depends not only on the make and model, but also the engine size. 1991 to 1994 models have a 4.0L engine and 1995 to 2001 models add the option for a 5.0L Windsor engine. Models made from 2000 to 2005 may be equipped with the 4.0L Cologne or 4.6L Modular engine.

Relieve the fuel system pressure and remove the intake manifold. Disconnect the spring lock coupling and the mounting bolt for the fuel supply tube bracket with a socket wrench.

Disconnect the connectors for the fuel injector electrical harness, fuel pressure sensor, temperature sensor and vacuum hose.

Unscrew the mounting bolts for the fuel rail with a socket wrench and remove the fuel rail and injectors from the engine compartment as an assembly. Discard the old O-rings.

Install the new fuel injector by reversing the removal procedure. Lubricate the new O-rings with clean engine oil before you install them. Use a torque wrench to tighten the fuel rail bolts to 17 foot pounds and the fuel supply bracket bolt to 71 inch pounds.