Tool Review: IPA Injector Seat Cleaning Kit

Feb. 13, 2017
This kit provides a massive upgrade to the reviewer’s previous cleaning method.

The Innovative Products of America Professional Diesel Injector-Seat Cleaning Kit, Nos. 8090B and 8090S, is offered in brass or stainless steel. The 17-pc kit includes helix brushes, two-stage brushes, bore brushes and Swab-EEZ. This kit is designed to remove rust, carbon and other debris without damage to injector-seats and bores on most light, medium and heavy duty diesel motors. The driver handle features a spring-loaded, quick-lock coupler. The 1/4" drive hex shaft allows for quick interchange of brushes, drivers, extensions and the use of low-speed drills. Also included are 400 assorted, low-lint, flexible, industrial-grade Swab-EEZ ranging from 5mm to 20mm in diameter.

The review

Before getting his hands on the Professional Diesel Injector-Seat Cleaning Kit from Innovative Products of America (IPA), Ken Elzinga had to settle for cleaning injector bores with a rag wrapped around a long screwdriver.

Once the owner of Hilltop Auto Service in Byron Center, Mich., used the cleaning kit to service Ford Powerstroke 7.3 and 6.0 injector replacements, his previous method seemed archaic.

“This tool works great for cleaning injector bores in the cylinder head. It is a timesaver because the brushes are custom-made to the exact size to properly clean the injector cup,” Elzinga says. “This allows you to go in the injector cup with a brush, quickly and properly clean the injector seal area, and then proceed with injector installation.

“It does save time, but more importantly, cleans the injector bore thoroughly and assures the tech of proper injector sealing.”

The brushes come in a blow molded case. Part numbers are included if a tech needs to reorder individual brushes.

No setup is necessary for the easy-to-use tool. Elzinga just selected the proper brush and got to work. Although he found it easy to use, the shop owner adds an instruction manual would have value.

“The kit could benefit from a manual that would list intended applications for the brushes,” notes Elzinga. “A tech can figure it out by sizing the brush to the injector bore, but a manual would be helpful in selecting the proper brush.”

Nevertheless, the many benefits of the tool outweigh this inconvenience.

“It comes with a handle to attach to the brushes to reach down into the injector bore,” Elzinga says, adding it comes with different sized (cotton swabs) for cleaning up after the brush.

“IPA is bringing several new tools to market that are very useful in specific applications,” he adds. “This is a good example of their innovation.”

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