Fuel Injector Maintenance: Silverado Edition

Fuel injectors are an essential component of modern fuel injection engines, and while they don't require extensive maintenance, they are subject to wear and tear over time. This article will explore the signs that indicate when it's the right time to replace the fuel injectors in your Silverado, as well as provide a step-by-step guide to the replacement process. Whether you're experiencing issues with a single injector or planning to keep your Silverado for the long haul, knowing when and how to replace these parts can help you avoid costly repairs down the line.

Fuel injector replacement parts

Fuel injectors are electro-magnetic valves that meter fuel into the engine’s intake manifold or cylinders for combustion. They regulate the amount of pressurised fuel used for each engine cycle.

There are a variety of fuel injector replacement parts available for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500. These include:

• Remanufactured Fuel Injector (Part No. A114-1193) by Carquest Premium.
• Fuel Injector (Part No. 67578) by Carquest.
• Fuel Injector (Part No. 67668) by Carquest.
• Fuel Injector (Part No. 57119) by Carquest.
• Remanufactured Fuel Injector (Part No. A211-2053) by Carquest Premium.
• Remanufactured Fuel Injector (Part No. A211-1683) by Carquest Premium.
• Fuel Injector (Part No. 67361) by Carquest.
• Fuel Injector (Part No. 67297) by Carquest.
• Fuel Injector (Part No. 57038) by Carquest.
• Fuel Injector (Part No. 67365) by Carquest.
• Fuel Injector (Part No. 63871) by Carquest.
• Fuel Injector (Part No. 67299) by Carquest.
• Remanufactured Fuel Injector (Part No. A211-1823) by Carquest Premium.
• Fuel Injector (Part No. 57094) by Carquest.
• Fuel Injector (Part No. 63847) by Carquest.
• Sequential Multi-Port Fuel Injector Assembly (Part No. 217-1516) by ACDelco.
• Fuel Injector (Part No. 57219) by Carquest.
• Fuel Injector (Part No. 63885) by Carquest.
• Fuel Injector (Part No. 67363) by Carquest.
• Remanufactured Fuel Injector (Part No. A211-1703) by Carquest Premium.
• Fuel Injector (Part No. 57037P) by Carquest.
• Fuel Injector (Part No. 63886) by Carquest.
• Fuel Injector (Part No. 57202) by Carquest.
• Remanufactured Fuel Injector (Part No. A211-1493) by Carquest Premium.
• Remanufactured Fuel Injector (Part No. A211-1803) by Carquest Premium.

It is recommended to use high-quality, OEM parts when replacing fuel injectors.

When to change fuel injectors

Fuel injectors don't need much maintenance beyond using periodic detergent gasoline (top tier) and/or a periodic fuel injector cleaning through the gas line. However, over time, they suffer from wear and tear and may need to be replaced.

Signs that your fuel injectors need to be replaced include leaking injectors, which will degrade fuel economy, and a rich code. If you notice these issues, it's important to address them promptly, as a failing fuel injector can lead to costly engine repairs.

As a general rule, it is recommended to consider changing all fuel injectors after 80,000 miles at the first sign of trouble on a single injector or at about 140,000 miles if you intend to keep the vehicle for 20,000 more miles. If you decide to replace your fuel injectors, you can either do it yourself or take it to a dealer. Doing it yourself can save you a significant amount of money, as dealers typically charge upwards of $1200 for this service.

• Depressurise the fuel system: If your truck has a fuel safety cutoff switch, pull the electrical plug to disengage the fuel pump. Then try to start the engine (it will turn over but not start), which will depressurise the fuel lines. If you don't have a fuel safety cutoff switch, you can depressurise the line by finding the pressure check valve (usually on top of the rail) and depressing it, but this will spray fuel everywhere.
• Remove any components restricting access to the fuel rail on the engine. For a V-8 engine, you will need to do this for both sides of the engine, and most Chevy trucks will require removing the engine shroud, air intake, vacuum tubes, electrical plugs, and bolt-on engine accessories.
• Disconnect the fuel rail bolt securing the rail to the intake or engine.
• Disconnect the electronic plug from each injector and push the plug away from the rail.
• Pull the injectors: You can either remove each injector individually or pull the fuel rail directly away from the tops of the injectors. They are held in place by O-rings, so you may need to rock the rail slightly to remove it.
• Remove the injector from the engine by grasping the injector head and pulling it directly away from the engine. You may need to rock it slightly to remove it.
• Check for O-rings: Ensure that each injector has an O-ring on the bottom and top. If not, check the rail or hole for missing O-rings. Lubricate the O-rings with new motor oil to ensure there are no micro-tears that could cause leaks.
• Install the new injectors: Put the injector back into the engine by pushing its nozzle first into the hole. You will feel a slight "pop" as it seats properly. Seat all four injectors before attempting to connect the rails.
• Connect the rails: Seat all four injectors under the ports simultaneously and press downward. You will likely feel a popping sensation again.
• Smear dielectric grease on the injector plug port to protect the electronics from corrosion and water.
• Reconnect the plug to the injector, the fuel rail retaining bolt or screw, and any accessories, intake, vacuum tubes, etc.
• Reconnect the battery and fuel safety cutoff switch (if applicable).
• Prime the fuel system by turning the ignition key to the "start" position a few times. You will hear the fuel pump prime the lines. Do this at least three times to pressurise the fuel lines.
• Inspect the engine compartment for fuel leaks at the injector rails. If you find a leak, remove the rail and replace the O-ring, as it may have been damaged.
• Turn off the engine and install the plastic engine shroud.

By following these steps, you can ensure your fuel injectors are properly replaced and maintain the performance and longevity of your Chevy Silverado.

Fuel injector maintenance

When to Change Fuel Injectors

Fuel injectors don't need much maintenance beyond using periodic detergent gasoline (top tier) and/or a periodic fuel injector cleaning through the gas line. However, over time, injectors suffer from wear and tear and may need to be replaced. As a general rule, it is recommended to change all fuel injectors after 80,000 miles at the first sign of trouble on a single injector, or at about 140,000 miles if you intend to keep the vehicle for 20,000+ more miles.

Signs Your Fuel Injectors Need Changing

• Leaking injectors: Leaking injectors will degrade fuel economy and often show up as a rich code.
• Poor emissions and smoke from the tailpipe.
• Surging and bucking when hitting full throttle.
• Engine misfires.

How to Change Fuel Injectors

• Depressurise the fuel system: If your truck has a fuel safety cutoff switch, pull the electrical plug to disengage the fuel pump. Then try to start the engine (it will turn over but not start), which will pull any fuel from the lines and depressurise them. Disconnect the battery. If you don’t have a fuel safety cutoff switch, you can depressurise the line by finding the pressure check valve (usually on top of the rail) and depressing the valve, but this will spray fuel everywhere.
• Remove any components restricting access to the fuel rail on the engine. On a V-8, you will need to do this for both sides of the engine, as the rails will be on both sides. For most Chevy trucks, you will need to remove the engine shroud, air intake, vacuum tubes, electrical plugs, and bolt-on engine accessories.
• Disconnect the fuel rail bolt securing the rail to the intake or engine.
• Disconnect the electronic plug from each injector and push the plug away from the rail.
• Pull the injectors: You can now pull the fuel rail directly away from the tops of the injectors (they are held on with O-rings), rocking the rail slightly if needed.
• Remove the injector from the engine by grasping the injector head and pulling it directly away from the engine, rocking it slightly if needed.
• Check the O-rings: Ensure that each injector has an O-ring on the bottom and top. If not, check the rail or hole. Lubricate the O-rings with new motor oil to ensure there are no micro-tears that will cause leaks later.
• Put the injector back into the engine by pushing its nozzle first into the hole. You will feel a slight “pop” as it seats.
• Seat all four injectors in the engine on each side before attempting to connect the rails. Connect the rails by seating all four injectors under the ports at the same time, then just press downward.
• Smear a liberal amount of dielectric grease on the injector plug port to protect the electronics from corrosion and water.
• Reconnect the plug to the injector, the fuel rail retaining bolt or screw, and replace any accessories, intake, vacuum tubes, etc.
• Reconnect the fuel-safety cut-off switch (if you used this method) and the battery.
• Prime the fuel system by turning the ignition key to the “start” position a few times (with several seconds in place). You will hear the fuel pump prime the lines. Do this at least 3 times to pressurise the fuel lines.
• Inspect the engine compartment for fuel leaks at the injector rails. If you have a leak, an O-ring is likely not properly seated, so remove the rail and replace the O-ring.
• Turn off the engine and install the plastic engine shroud.

Cost of Fuel Injector Replacement

The cost of fuel injectors generally ranges from $350 to $700 for V-6 and V-8 applications. Dealers may charge upwards of $1200 to replace fuel injectors.

Fuel injector troubleshooting

There are several signs that your Chevrolet Silverado may be experiencing fuel injector issues. These can include:

• A check engine light that keeps illuminating
• Engine misfires
• Rough idling
• Reduced engine power
• Stalling or low engine idle speed
• Issues with gas mileage

If you are experiencing any of the above problems, there are a few things you can try to troubleshoot the issue. Firstly, check the fuel injectors to see if they need to be replaced. This is often indicated by one or more injectors becoming stuck closed. You can try special procedures to restore the affected injector, but if this fails, it will need to be replaced.

It's also worth checking the fuel filter, as a clogged filter can cause issues with the fuel injectors. Additionally, ensure you are using high-quality fuel and fuel additives, as the wrong type can cause problems with the injectors.

If you decide to replace the fuel injectors, it is recommended to replace all of them at once, rather than just the faulty one(s). This is because the others may be close to failing as well, and it is often more cost-effective in the long run. When replacing the injectors, take the entire fuel rail out for easier access. Be careful when handling the electrical connectors, and ensure you have the correct tools to disconnect the fuel lines.

Finally, if you are unsure about what is causing the issue, consider taking your Silverado to a dealership or a trusted mechanic for diagnosis and repair.

Fuel injector removal

Fuel injectors regulate the amount of pressurised fuel used for each engine cycle. There is one injector per cylinder in an engine. Over time, injectors suffer from wear and tear and may need to be replaced.

Depressurise the fuel system

• If your truck is equipped with fuel safety cutoff switches, find and pull the electrical plug. This will disengage the fuel pump. Then try to start the engine (it will turn over, but not start).
• If you don’t have a fuel safety cutoff switch, you can depressurise the line by finding the pressure check valve (usually on top of the rail) and depressing the valve. This will spray fuel everywhere, so be careful.
• The last resort is to pull a fuel line, but this will be very messy. Make sure all fuel is mopped up and dry before proceeding.

Remove components restricting access to the fuel rail

• On a V-8 engine, you will need to do this for both sides of the engine, as the rails will be on both sides.
• Most Chevy trucks will need the following removed: the engine shroud, air intake, vacuum tubes, electrical plugs, and bolt-on engine accessories.

Disconnect the fuel rail

• Disconnect the fuel rail bolt securing the rail to the intake or engine.
• Disconnect the electronic plug from each injector. Push the plug away from the rail.

Remove the injectors

• Pull the injectors by pulling the fuel rail directly away from the tops of the injectors. You may need to rock the rail slightly.
• Remove the injector from the engine by grasping the injector head and pulling it directly away from the engine. You may need to rock it slightly.
• Once pulled, make sure that each injector has an O-ring on the bottom and top.

It is recommended that you replace the O-rings when removing and installing fuel injectors. Lubricate the new O-rings with motor oil and roll them onto the injectors or press them into place.

Frequently asked questions