A 2010 Prius Owner just saved $2,700 by changing out her own fuel injectors instead of taking her car into a shop. 

Proud of her achievement, the Amazon driver took to TikTok to share that it’s possible to DIY fuel injector replacement. 

“ It was difficult, but only because I wasn’t familiar with it. Now, I can do it again,” said Teri (@teribee) in a video that has over 5,200 views as of Jan. 14.

Teri shared how she saved $1,089 on the spark plugs and coils as well. This ultimately saved $3,789 total in repairs according to her. 

However, can anyone realistically repair their fuel injectors? Or, should car owners generally save this repair for a trusted mechanic? 

Fuel injectors, which deliver fuel to vehicles at a precise pressure, can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,500 to replace. 

Despite the fact that fuel injectors are longlasting, they are subject to normal wear and tear that may necessitate repairs at some point during a vehicle’s lifetime. 

Cars are dirty. Any additional sediment that develops from fuel can disrupt a fuel injectors spray pattern, which can cause issues with its functionality. If the fuel injector’s O-ring doesn’t seal correctly, it can create fire risks due to leaking fuel.

While car owners can sometimes repair their vehicles without outright replacing the fuel injectors, it’s worth noting that sometimes, fuel injector replacement is warranted, especially if the injector is heavily clogged.

Fuel injectors are electronically controlled as well, meaning they’re susceptible to wiring issues. That’s one of the most common reasons why fuel injectors may need replacement. 

How Difficult Is It To Change a Vehicle’s Fuel Injectors?

Fuel injectors can be tricky to install, but they’re not impossible to work with. Technically, complete beginners can replace fuel injectors with enough research. As long as they understand why they are replacing them and what exactly they’re doing. 

But, many people who are complete beginners may not even understand ‘why’ they’re replacing them.

One redditor posted to r/mechanicadvice asking how difficult it would be for a “complete beginner” to change a fuel injector. But, comments pointed the commenter in a completely different direction, saying they needed to work with the spark plugs first. 

The car owner received a P0300 code, which according to mechanics posting in the community, doesn’t even necessitate a fuel injector replacement at first. That code could mean that the spark plugs were worn, thus only necessitating minor repairs. 

“If it was P0301, P0302, P0303, and so on, you would know where it’s at and could swap them around,” one commenter said. Ultimately, that post is just one lesson in why it’s important to accurately assess codes and vehicle issues before jumping into any repairs. 

Where Can These Parts Be Bought?

Any auto retailers like like AutoZone, O’Reilly Auto Parts, or online auto stores will sell fuel injector kits. These kits will be made for a wide range of vehicles. With an employee’s assistance, anyone can technically identify the fuel injector they need for their vehicle. 

But, it’s important to note that employees at stores may not have all the knowledge. These employees will be able to refer you to the part but may not have the technical experience.

While it’s worth asking an employee for some assistance, they may not be fully equipped to answer advanced questions. However these employees will be able to help identifying what fuel injector, spark plugs, and coils to purchase to do the job on your own.

Before starting, extensive research should be done before picking up any parts.

Should You Replace The Fuel Injectors Yourself?

There are a variety of issues that conscientious car owners can fix, which saves money in the long run. But, car owners should discern between fixable, DIY issues and those that need to be addressed by a professional or technician. 

Mechanics and dealerships charge premium prices for basic, routine services. Oil changes, for instance, can be a simple DIY job as well as changing out the car’s battery without any issues. Cleaning a car’s fuel injectors is another project that car owners can manage. These injectors should realistically be cleaned every 30,000 miles to avoid clogging. 

With fuel injectors, however, it’s worth putting in extensive research and even getting quotes from mechanics before making any replacement decisions. A fuel injector has to be installed correctly. For instance, if the O-ring on the fuel injector is not sealed properly, fuel might spray out of the nozzle. Incorrectly installed fuel injectors can cause hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars worth of engine damage for that reason. 

Issues related to incorrectly installed fuel injectors can range from simple check engine lights or fuel flooded spark plugs. Skipping even one step during the process can create lifelong issues for any vehicle. 

So, when it comes to more complex issues, it might be best to seek out a well-established, reliable mechanic. A reliable shop would be able to tell a person whether or not an issue actually needs to be fixed and establish what exactly needs fixing.

If it’s something simple and straightforward that a person feels they can confidently assess, it may save money to research and understand the problem and then fix it. Diligence, like what Teri displayed when repairing her vehicle, can be incredibly rewarding. 

We’ve reached out to Teri via TikTok direct message for more information.

@terrimcbee 2010 Prius v That Amazon Girl = I win!! #fyp #girlpower #thatamazongirl #girlsandcars #icandoit ♬ Run Away with Me – Instrumental Version – Louis Island