Ok be honest, how many of you have actually been successful at this.

[X5Matador]

I need some honest feedback on how many of you who have ever had to disconnect their fuel rail and were successful in replacing all 8 of the wire PITA clips that connect the plug to the fuel injectors. I can't even see the back injectors. This is on a 2002 4.4i

I replaced my valley pan gasket, all my cooling hoses, vacuum hoses, valve cover gasket, radiator, water pump,fan and fan clutch, expansion tank with new cap, spark plugs,oil separator, jet valve, every required o-ring and anything else that that should be replaced on a X5 with 96k on it.

But those darn clips, they may be the only extra parts left on my bench. The connection seems to be well seated on the fuel injectors. Should I really worry about this.

[nom3rcy]

definitely use the clips you really dont want a loose fuel rail!

[X5Matador]

The fuel rail is bolted to the manifold and the wire box connections fit snuggly to the injectors. The fuel rails is firmly secured.

[jst2878]

i have disconnected twice already. you have to use some sort of bent pic tool(i used craftsman) it makes the job alot easier. use a head flashlight also and youll be good to go. if you drop one just check the aluminum reinforcement plate. good luck

[flatlander]

Originally Posted by X5Matador

I need some honest feedback on how many of you who have ever had to disconnect their fuel rail and were successful in replacing all 8 of the wire PITA clips that connect the plug to the fuel injectors. I can't even see the back injectors. This is on a 2002 4.4i

I replaced my valley pan gasket, all my cooling hoses, vacuum hoses, valve cover gasket, radiator, water pump,fan and fan clutch, expansion tank with new cap, spark plugs,oil separator, jet valve, every required o-ring and anything else that that should be replaced on a X5 with 96k on it.

But those darn clips, they may be the only extra parts left on my bench. The connection seems to be well seated on the fuel injectors. Should I really worry about this.

I left the two rearmost clips off when I could not reach them. It's been that way for three years with no problem. As long as the rail is bolted down they should not move at all, meaning the clips are not extremely necessary.

By the way, I think if you remove the intake manifold with the rail and injectors in place, you can put the clips in place prior to putting everything back together. I haven't done this myself, but thinking back on my repair, I think it's possible.

[jst2878]

U only have to bring one side of each clip away from it's snapon position. U don't have to take the whole clip off.

[X5Matador]

Great replys and a thank you to all. After all the work I have done I just hate taking a short cut here but the back 2 clips probably won't go back on. Man I love this site.

[amacman]

they are spring clips
they should be fitted to the injectors first
then you fit injectors into manifold pressing down evenly until all clips click to lock onto manifold .

[flatlander]

If you haven't already put everything back together, try what amacman says. If everything is together and you're trying to get the clips back on, your best bet is to have a good set of pick tools with a pointy end to help maneuver them on. The back two are very difficult.

Originally Posted by amacman

they are spring clips
they should be fitted to the injectors first
then you fit injectors into manifold pressing down evenly until all clips click to lock onto manifold .

[killcrap]

the easist way to release the injector clips are to dose them in Triflow lube. Then using a pry bar to pull up on the box inbetween the fuel rail and box, they will release like butter.