This week, rebuild resumes

[RETed]

If the lower sealing grommets are original, they will likely need to be replaced.
These should be soft, and they seal the bottom of the fuel injector to the intake manifold.
They will harden over time due to all the heat (at the top of the engine).
These will induce an intake manifold vacuum leak if they do not seal well.

The o-ring from the fuel injector (top) to fuel rail will most likely be reuseable.
They usually do not harden cause the fuel keeps them cool.
You got to be careful removing and replacing them, as they "nick" easily.
Once they are damaged, you need to replace them.
I would just inspect these and make sure you see no visible signs of damage.
Most fuel injector cleaning shops will usually replace them - ask them about it.
If not, it might be a good idea to remove them before getting them sent out to clean?

Then there are the air bleed valve under the fuel injectors themselves...
These are the plastic thingees that help with (fuel) atomization at the tips.
They also help the fuel injector (tips) sit correctly in the holes - thus, you should not remove them.
On top of the (brown) plastic body, there are a number of o-rings that keep them snug.
They plastic pieces are fragile, and I would not recommend remving them if possible.
The o-rings are rock hard, but they do not really seal anything - trying to remove the o-rings off the plastic air bleed valves is a royal PITA anyways, so they are better left alone.
This whole paragraph was written just to tell you leave those things alone.

There is an upper grommet that tends to get crushed upon install, but I question if they are really needed.
They look like they just insulate the fuel injectors from the fuel rail itself.
I guess if you have the money, it doesn't cost that much to replace...

I think that covers all the soft seals on the fuel injectors!


-Ted

[Rotary_Rocket_87]

Originally Posted by RETed

If not, it might be a good idea to remove them before getting them sent out to clean?
-Ted

If you send your injectors to WitchHunter they prefer that you leave all of the parts on the injector so they know exactly what seals to use when they replace them.