Replacing Fuel Injectors: 98 Durango Step-By-Step Guide

If you're experiencing issues with your Dodge Durango's fuel injector, you may need to replace it. This is a challenging task, but with the right tools and safety precautions, it can be done. Before starting, ensure you have the necessary tools, including needle-nose pliers, a fuel line disconnect tool, and various sockets and screwdrivers. It's also important to work with a cold motor and relieve pressure by removing the fuel cap and disconnecting the negative battery terminal. The process involves removing components such as the air intake hat, tubing, vacuum line sensors, and throttle cable, before accessing and replacing the fuel injector. It's crucial to be cautious and follow the correct procedures to avoid damage or injury.

Disconnecting the negative battery terminal

Locate the negative battery terminal. It is usually clearly marked and may be covered by a red or black plastic cover. If you are unsure, refer to your car's manual or seek advice from a qualified mechanic.

Once you have located the negative battery terminal, gather the necessary tools. You will need a socket wrench or a wrench that fits the battery terminal. You may also need a pair of gloves to protect your hands from dirt or any corrosion on the battery.

Before you begin, make sure the car is parked in a safe and level area, and the parking brake is engaged. Turn off the engine and remove the keys from the ignition. It is important that you do not smoke or have any open flames near the battery, as batteries contain flammable gases that can be dangerous.

Now, use your wrench to loosen the nut on the negative battery terminal. You may need to hold the battery terminal still with one hand while you turn the wrench with the other. Be careful not to let the wrench touch any other parts of the car, as this could result in an electrical short. Once the nut is loose, remove it by hand and place it in a safe place, along with the wrench.

Finally, carefully lift the negative battery cable away from the battery terminal. Be gentle, as the cable may be stiff and you do not want to damage the connection. Place the cable to one side, ensuring that it does not touch any metal surfaces.

At this point, the negative battery terminal should be successfully disconnected. You can now proceed with the next steps of changing the fuel injectors on your 1998 Durango. Remember to re-connect the negative battery terminal once all work is completed, by following these steps in reverse.

Removing the air intake hat and tubing

To remove the air intake hat and tubing from your 1998 Durango, you will need to gather the necessary tools. These include needle-nose pliers, a 5/16 fuel line disconnect tool, a 1/2 socket, an 8mm socket, assorted screwdrivers, and shop rags. It is ideal to perform this task on a cold motor, so try to let the engine sit overnight before beginning.

Begin by removing the fuel cap to help relieve pressure. Then, disconnect the negative battery terminal. Now, you can remove the air intake hat and tubing and set them aside. Be sure to disconnect the vacuum line and sensors on the throttle body (TPS, IAC, and MAP) on the driver's side.

On the passenger side, you will find the throttle cable, cruise control cables, and a bracket holding them together. Remove the throttle cable (far left) and the rear cable from the bracket. They should pop out fairly easily, so be gentle to avoid breaking any plastic components.

At this point, you will have successfully removed the air intake hat and tubing assembly from your 1998 Durango. You can now proceed to the next steps in the fuel injector replacement process, such as removing the fuel injectors themselves and installing the new ones. Remember to always refer to a trusted repair manual or seek professional assistance if you are unsure about any part of the procedure.

Disconnecting the vacuum line and sensors

First, locate the vacuum line and sensors on the throttle body. These are found on the driver's side of the Durango. You will need to disconnect both the vacuum line and the sensors from the throttle body. This will involve unplugging various connectors and carefully setting them aside. Be sure to label or note the locations of any connectors you remove to ensure proper reassembly.

Next, you will need to remove the throttle cable and cruise control cables, which are found on the passenger side. There will also be a bracket holding these cables together, which is attached to the throttle body with three 8mm bolts. Remove these bolts and set the bracket aside.

Now, you can focus on the fuel injectors themselves. Disconnect the harness from the fuel injectors on both sides of the engine, and carefully tuck the wiring out of the way. There will be some fuel spillage during this process, so have shop rags or towels ready to soak up any spills.

At this point, you will also need to remove the fuel supply line clip. To do this, insert a fuel disconnect tool and push it in while pulling out on the line. Slowly pull the line off the fuel rail. Again, be prepared for some fuel to seep out. Allow a few minutes for the fuel to stop leaking and use rags to soak up any spills.

Overall, this process requires careful attention to detail and a methodical approach. Take your time and ensure that all connections are properly disconnected and labelled for easy reassembly. Safety should also be a priority, so wear protective gear and be mindful of any fuel spills or leaks.

Removing the throttle cable and bracket

To remove the throttle cable and bracket, you will need to gather the necessary tools. These include needle-nose pliers, a 5/16 fuel line disconnect tool, a 1/2 socket, an 8mm socket, and assorted screwdrivers. It is also recommended to perform this task on a cold motor, ideally letting it sit overnight.

Once you have the required tools and your motor is cold, you can begin the process. First, remove the fuel cap to help relieve pressure. Next, disconnect the negative battery terminal. Then, remove the air intake hat and tubing, or alternatively, just remove them and set them aside. Now, you can disconnect the vacuum line and sensors on the throttle body (TPS, IAC, and MAP) on the driver's side.

On the passenger side, you will find the throttle cable, cruise control cables, and the bracket holding them all together. Remove the throttle cable (far left) and the rear cable from the bracket. Be gentle when doing this to avoid breaking the plastic. With the cables removed, you can now take out the three 8mm bolts that hold the bracket to the throttle body. After that, remove the four 1/2 bolts for the throttle body itself and set the throttle body and bracket aside.

Disconnecting the fuel line

Before beginning any work on the fuel system, it is imperative to relieve the pressure in the fuel lines. Start by removing the fuel tank filler tube cap and then perform the Fuel System Pressure Release Procedure. This will ensure that you can work on the fuel line without the risk of high-pressure fuel spraying out.

Now, locate the fuel line latch clip and fuel line at the fuel rail. To disconnect the fuel line, you will need a special tool called a fuel line disconnect tool. Insert this tool and push it in while simultaneously pulling out on the line. Do this slowly and carefully to avoid any spillage. Some fuel may still seep out, so have some rags ready to soak it up.

At this point, you will also want to disconnect the electrical connectors at all eight fuel injectors. To do this, push the red-coloured slider away from the injector while depressing the tab, and then remove the connector. Make sure to note the wiring locations before removal, as you will need to reconnect them later.

Next, remove the four fuel rail mounting bolts. Gently rock and pull the left side of the fuel rail until the injectors start to clear the machined holes in the cylinder head. Repeat this process on the right side of the rail. Keep rocking and pulling each side until all injectors have cleared the cylinder head holes.

Finally, carefully remove the fuel rail (with the injectors still attached) from the engine. Be cautious not to bend or kink the tube connecting the two rail halves, as this could cause damage.

Now that the fuel line has been successfully disconnected, you can proceed with replacing the fuel injectors. Remember to refer to a trusted repair manual or seek professional assistance if you are unsure about any steps.

Frequently asked questions