Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Performance Removing fuel lines/injectors on return LIM.

Well, I am again contemplating another removal of LIM (to optimize butterflies) on a 99 SVT with return type lines. I have been close twice but have been thwarted by the inability to see how to get the fuel assembly off. Have looked at the CEG "how to do" (based on older 95 era assembly) and it seems different/I was still lost..

1) Is it easier to remove the injectors & lines from the LIM and then pull the LIM, or 2) remove the LIM with injectors, lines in place.

If (1) ...how do you unhook the little hats that are atop the injcetors..that little wire retaining clip looks like a bear..does it come off? I would need to buy repacement O rings??

If (2)...How do you unhook the fuel lines? And the wiring harness?

If I suceed, and countersink new screws is JB weld OK to secure them or is there a better choice.

Thanks...I hope I explained this OK. Each time in past I have been intimidated/unable to get this done looking at the instructions..

I'm contemplating doing hte same thing when I clean out my UIM. I'd like to hear this info too!

When I pulled the LIM on my 95, I left the rail in the car and the lines attached. The LIM can be pulled, no problem, without disconnecting the fuel lines. Just unbolt the rail from the LIM, put it aside, and pull out the LIM.

-Lance

The instructions in the FAQ are a bit different from your FI setup when it comes to the injectors themselves. We don't have the big orange boots/seals/hats/whatever. Just an o-ring on the LIM and one on the rail.

1) For the harness, the clips and the connectors do come off (they hold the connector to the FI) - use a pair of needle nose pliers. Likely a clip or two will go flying, so be careful. If you want to practice, do it on the connector going into the tail lamps - they are very similar, if not identical.

2) It's definitely easier to remove the fuel rail from the LIM, then take the LIM off. The only thing holding the FI to the LIM and the FI to the fuel rail is friction between the o-rings and the LIM/rail. Just PULL up (and rock back and forth and pull some more and wiggle and pull, etc.) on the fuel rail once the screws holding it to the LIM (EDIT: and the harness connectors are removed) are out. You'll probably get the fuel rail off with some of the FI stuck to it and some still stuck in the LIM. You can then move the rail out of your way and work on the LIM - no need to remove the rail from its fuel lines at all.

3) You should replace the o-rings any time you have the FIs out. They are relatively cheap (my NAPA actually stocks 8 sets in the store). Make sure you lubricate them with clean motor oil before re-assembly.

MAKE SURE YOU RELIEVE THE FUEL PRESSURE BEFORE STARTING!!! Just like doing the fuel filter; otherwise you'll get a nice faceful of gasoline at some point. Don't worry - you'll still have the wonderful scent of gas all over your hands at some point.

It's really not that hard to do, so don't be intimidated.

O-k..been there done that.

The fuel injector hats just unclip...

It's easiest to use a fuel line tool and disconnect the fuel line from the fuel rail. Unbolt the LIM...disconnect the IMRC. Now here's the hard part. The wiring harness kinda forms a tent over the LIM. Carefully pull up on the harness and snake the LIM out from underneath it. Now...the fuel rail has 3 or 4 small bolts holding it onto the LIM. Remove them. The fuel rail will be really stuck onto the end of the injectors via the unjector O-rings. Take a deep breath..and pull up on the rail evenly until it pops off. Other than the 3 or 4 bolts holding the rail on, there aren't any retaing clips or anything to worry about. Some of the injectors will remain in the LIM..some will remain attached the fuel rail. But once they are seperated you can remove them all from which-ever and lay them to the side. Remember to oil the O-rings when you reinstall.

Hope that helps...

I had a problem with one of my injectors, the O-ring had a chunk torn out of it. I noticed it when my fuel gauge started to drop followed by a strong stench of gas. So I looked under the hood and spotted a steady flow of gas down the side of my trans. I pulled off the upper and disconnected the wiring harness, Unbolted the fuel rail and exchanged the injector. It took me no time at all. I timed it and it took about 50min to do. Don't be intimidated, the press the wire clips to release them from the wiring harness. Pull the injector out and if the the o-ring does not come out with the injector, like you said, just role it out and back on to your injector.

Dan,

When I did mine...I left the fuel line connected to the fuel rail. So you have the double hassle of holding the wiring harness out of the way as well as holding the fuel rail up as you remove the LIM...all while being bent-ass over in the bay of your engine. that's why I said to get the tool (no more than $15 at NAPA...maybe free at AZ) to do the job. Seems like there's an air-valve type of fuel release on the end of the fuel rail. I covered with a rag then let out the pressure.

Make sure your car has sat over night...that the battery is disconnected..and that the cap is off the gas filler tube. All will lessen the pressure...

I don't think that there's any place easy or convenient to disconnect the wiring harness...

If you pull the fuse for the fuel pump, and crank the car over a few times, that'll relieve the pressure.
I'm very interested in hearing how the optimizing goes. Do keep us informed!

There's still a fair bit of pressure, even after doing that!

Just press in the pin on the schrader valve with a rag wrapper around it. The valve is on the fuel line just under the intake flex hose. Of course, you'll have the air filter and tubing removed by then!

-Lance