Truck----99 Ranger 180,000 miles
I'm the 2nd owner, Dad was the first
It's not beat up, so it's a keeper.
Replaced all the front end stuff with good grease zirk kind.
Good tires and cold air and the power windows still work, LOL
What has recently been done-----All the intake removed and replaced with new gaskets due to big leakage, oil pump replaced, both done by a certified mechanic 45 miles away----another story for later.
New issue----it has started missing really bad, took to a friend mechanic to check it out.
Checked all the electrical, yes even piped the injectors, all working. After a process of elimination, we believed it to be the number 3 cylinder has a clogged injector.
So after watching many I mean many you tube videos, I bought a fuel injector cleaning kit that attaches to the fuel rail. Ok I'm on the right track. I think!!!
Hooked it up like instructions said, disconnected the fuel pump and squeezed the return fuel line closed so the cleaner would not just go into the tank.
Started the air pressure at 20lbs ( only because I've done this 3 time already) and the truck would not start and after a couple of minutes of trying I checked the canister to find it empty.
So where did the stuff go ??????? I had a hard time getting it started even with spraying starter fluid into the intake line.
NOW MY QUESTIONS
Just exactly where is that return line???????
Could 20lbs psi push that cleaning solvent past the injectors???????
My next step is to replace the injectors, if I can't get some help here, or just junk the thing, but even the radio works---LOL
ANY help would be really nice.
THANK YOU
THANK YOU
THANK YOU

 

Welcome to the forum

1998 and up Rangers used a Returnless fuel system, so there is no Return line on your 1999, at the engine.
Returnless system uses 55-65psi fuel pressure

1997 and earlier did have return line, these used 30-40psi fuel pressure.

Some 1998 and up did have a Return line but not at the engine, in the frame rail under drivers seat area you will find the fuel filter, if it has 3 lines attached 2 will come from the gas tank, one is the Return line.
But nothing you would need to block when cleaning injectors


Yes 20psi would be more than enough to push fluid thru an OPEN injector.

1998 and up will have a Pulse Damper at the end of the fuel rail, it is there to stop pressure waves that build up when injectors open and close.
Pulse Damper will have a vacuum hose attached, it is a safety feature in case Damper's diaphragm should leak, gasoline would be sucked into the engine and not dripped on hot engine or exhaust parts, lol
Check that vacuum hose for fluid or gas smell, replace Damper if found.

Stuck open injector?
Use fuel pressure gauge and see if pressure holds with key off, it should, system should hold above 20psi for a few MONTHS
Cycle key on and off a few times, fuel pump will only run for 2 seconds each time key is turned on, so repeat on/off until you get above 50psi at the engine's fuel rail
Then key off and watch the pressure, it will drop a bit but should hold steady after that.