How to Replace a Fuel Injector in a Toyota Corolla

The fuel injector in a Toyota Corolla mixes fuel with air under pressure and rendered carburetors obsolete during the late 1980s. One advantage of a fuel injector is the programmable firmware that allows the same hardware to work with different fuels. The fuel injector assembly includes only the nozzle and valve; it still requires a pump to deliver fuel into the engine.

Things You'll Need

  • Fuel injector kit
  • Socket wrench set
  • Torque wrench
  • Determine which fuel injector your Toyota Corolla will need. This depends not only on the make and model, but also the engine size. Models made from 1966 to 1970 have a 1.1L or 1.2L engine. Models built from 1970 to 1978 have a 1.2L, 1.4L or 1.6L engine. Models made from 1979 to 1987 may be equipped with a 1.3L, 1.6L or 1.8L diesel engine.

  • Look at later versions of the Toyota Corolla. Models manufactured from 1988 to 1992 include a 1.3L, 1.5L, 1.6L or 2.0L diesel engine. Models made from 1993 to 1997 also offer a 1.8L engine. Models built from 1998 to 2005 in the United States were available only with a 1.8L engine.

  • Examine the latest generation of the Toyota Corolla. It debuted in 2006 and is available with a 1.5L, 1.8L or 2.4L engine.

  • Relieve the fuel system pressure and disconnect the negative cable to the battery with a socket wrench. Remove the air cleaner and disconnect the bracket for the accelerator cable from the throttle body with a socket wrench. This will allow you to detach the throttle body from the air intake chamber.

  • Remove the engine hanger and exhaust gas recirculation assembly with a socket wrench, if present. You will now be able to take off the cover for the air intake chamber and gasket. Detach the electrical connections for the fuel injectors and the fuel lines. Use a socket wrench to take the fuel rail assembly off the intake manifold, including the insulators and collars.

  • Coat each new O-ring lightly with gasoline and place it on the new fuel injector. Install the new fuel injector and ensure it can rotate smoothly in both directions.

  • Complete the installation by reversing the removal steps. Use a torque wrench to tighten both fuel rail mounting bolts to 11 ft. lbs. Torque the bolt for the fuel inlet pipe to 22 foot pounds and use an X-pattern to torque the throttle body mounting bolts to 16 foot pounds.