Hello: replacing fuel injectors on 04 3L ranger

[magrasjc]

Hello!
[UPDATE 19 July: Got bolts off with husky microratchet!! : https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1-4-in-Drive-Microdriver-Set-16-Piece-HMDS16PC/302905070]
[UPDATE 18 July: Universal joint tried only 1/4in would fit. Not enough torque. Head only socket still too big. Videos for 4.0L too dis-similar: http://www.therangerstation.com/how...skets-fuel-rail-gaskets-lower-intake-gaskets/
Still need help with vacuum hoses!!

I would think extracting these fuel rails bolts trivial or someone thinks they are saving their livelihood]
I'm new and looking for help getting the fuel rails off my ranger. I got the intake manifold off (see pictures).
There are 4 complex hollow pipe like screews(see picture) next to the 8mm bolts for the fuel rails.
I can't remove the pipe screws. I have loosened 3 of them completely and they just spin. Tab holding the fourth one front driver side broke off!(problem?)
1st picture shows stuck pipe like screw in right of picture, left is fuel rail, bottom is sensor/computer plug.
2nd picture shows broken tab on left bottom and left top is fuel injector

Thx in advance,
JC Magras

 

[magrasjc]

Clarified picture descriptions

 

[adsm08]

1) Those pictures are terrible, please learn to use the auto-focus feature on your camera.

2) That is a grommet bolt, it will not come out the whole way by just turning it to the left. If it can jiggle up and down freely it is loose of its threads.

 

[magrasjc]

Ok,
The grommet bolts don't come out the conventional way.
I still have to get to the fuel rails.
These grommet bolts are obstructing the path to the 8mm bolts affixing the fuel rails in place.

The pictures were cut down to fit this site's requirements not my choice. I can mail the originals.

Ideas to work around the grommet bolts wanted.
Special tools?
The tab that came off (see 2nd picture) is that a problem?

Thx in advance,
JC Magras

 

[adsm08]

What are these in? The intake, the valve cover?

 

[magrasjc]

adsm08:What are these in?
Me: beneath input manifold. Next to cylinder top openings. Grommets themselves blocking access to the fuel rail bolts, which I need to remove.
Thx in advance,
JC Magras

 

[Rearanger]

adsm08:What are these in?
Me: beneath input manifold. Next to cylinder top openings. Grommets themselves blocking access to the fuel rail bolts, which I need to remove.

I think the pics show these "grommet bolts" to be the valve cover bolts. They should have extended pins on them to mount injector wire loom.

magrasjc, are you sure you need to remove them to access fuel rail hold down bolts? It also looks like one valve cover bolt tab is busted?

 

[magrasjc]

Yes,
I was wondering about that busted tab which is why I added the picture. If it came off with simple handling,
Then it would have failed under power but what do I do about it?
I need to replace a fuel injector but want to replace all of them. So how do I remove these 8mm bolts with valve cover bolts in the way? Special tools? Unusual socket wrench?
Thx in advance,
JC Magras

 

[Rearanger]

So how do I remove these 8mm bolts with valve cover bolts in the way?

I used a deep socket to get past the pins.

That "tab" is cast into the valve cover and you'll need a replacement valve cover.

Why do you need to replace injector(s)? I send my injectors out to Witchhunter.com for test, clean. They come back with spray pattern report and new filter screen and o-rings.

 

[magrasjc]

Thanks again for the help. The truck is 14 years old. But I did not know about witchhunter.com .
The 'pins' you mentioned are those the valve cover bolts?
I need to remove the fuel rails to get to the fuel injectors themselves. I have a computer code saying one of the injectors is bad.
My fuels rails are held in place by 8mm bolts.I know I have one bolt out from the broken tab. See that first picture again.
Thx in advance,
JC Magras

 

[Rearanger]

The 'pins' you mentioned are those the valve cover bolts?

On my valve cover bolts the top of the head has extended pins just for afixing the plastic clips that hold the wire loom. Your year bolts may not have this. If not you don't need a deep socket.

I need to remove the fuel rails to get to the fuel injectors themselves. I have a computer code saying one of the injectors is bad.

A code won't say an injector is bad, just that there's a miss on one cylinder.
What is the code?

 

[magrasjc]

On my valve cover bolts the top of the head has extended pins just for afixing the plastic clips that hold the wire loom. Your year bolts may not have this. If not you don't need a deep socket.

Ok my year does not have this 'pin'. I do have a picture that is just too big for this site since the picture must be like 1300 pixel long.


A code won't say an injector is bad, just that there's a miss on one cylinder.
What is the code?

P0308 I believe. Its been several weeks but it's cylinder 5

 

[Rearanger]

P0308 I believe. Its been several weeks but it's cylinder 5

Usually misfires are electrical, wires, plugs. Have you replaced wires, plugs?

Might also be poor compression. A compression test would help.

 

[magrasjc]

The spark plugs are fairly new as is the distributor coil on the passenger side of the engine.
Still replacing all the injectors seems wise given the age besides ONLY one cylinder reported a problem. I used two units of fuel cleaner with no effect. Changes in direction especially if sharp had a pronounced effect.

Thx in advance,
JC Magras

 

[Rearanger]

P0308 I believe. Its been several weeks but it's cylinder 5

P0308 means cylinder #8, did you mean P0305?

How bad is the miss, constant, rough idle, high speed? You could try disconnecting the #5 injector connector when the engine is idling to see if RPMs change.