I changed a fuel injector again yesterday, and one of the three nuts that holds on the fuel rail was a bit cross threaded. However in my haste, and taking it on and off several times, I've now ended up with 2 of the 3 nuts a bit crossed, to the extent that I can neither tighten them up fully, or get them off.

So what's to be done? Is this a job for a nut splitter, or is there some other trick? (I'm not talking about a rounded off or rusted bolt).

 

I'm not familiar with the location of the injectors so this may be a stupid suggestion, but have you got the option of applying some heat to the nut to expand it? I've had success with that in the past

 

If you do try some heat, take care with your selection of heat source

A nut cracker should work; I'd then stick a thread chaser on the stud to ensure the thread pattern is OK for the new nuts

 

I ve just finished fitting some injectors today, dont drop anything under the IM !

 

I guess you did, Raz?

I've lost 2 bolts down there!

 

Dave, is the nut stuck on?

Are the threads on the bolt or the nut shagged?

 

Going anywhere near petrol scares me enough; I think I'll pass on the blow torch idea.

Hopefully it's the nuts that are shagged (though I think the studs are screwed into the manifold so can probably be replaced). The nuts are stuck to the extent that turning anti-clockwise is going round and round and not doing anything. I've ordered a nut splitter (£6 off Amazon) so we'll see how that works.

First time I took mine apart I dropped two of the injectors down through the manifold. I wasn't expecting them to just fall out. Top tip: leave the electrical connectors attached.

 

Those bolts do come out, I still have one sat down on the engine somewhere

Nut splitter and new nuts for you.