Disconnecting the Fuel Rails and Removing Fuel Injectors from an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To10 Comments
disconnected-fuel-rails-on-an-aston-martin-db9
Fuel Rails unmounted

You might be needing to disconnect the fuel rails to change one or more fuel injectors, or perhaps to dig further into the engine removing the Intake Manifolds as part of changing your Coil Packs, Spark Plugs or perhaps your PCV Valves.   It’s not a difficult task once you have the prerequisites listed below out of the way.

Note:  I will be explaining how to unmount the fuel rails and disconnect them from the fuel injectors, but NOT how to completely remove the fuel rail.  God help you if you need to actually remove the rails entirely.  At the very bottom of this article I will regurgitate the instructions from the Aston Martin Workshop Manual, but I can tell you know it’s probably impossible to do this with the engine in the car.  I bought the special tools and was going to try but waved off after seeing mission impossible in front of me.  I found it was totally unnecessary for the service tasks I noted above.   We can make do with them loose and able to swing side to side. Continue reading “Disconnecting the Fuel Rails and Removing Fuel Injectors from an Aston Martin DB9” →

Happy Birthday! Aston1936.com is 1 year old

On By Steve McEvoyIn Commentary6 Comments

first-birthday-cupcakeI have been amazed by the response to the site.   This weekend it turned officially one year old from when I feebly stuck up my first post “Here We Go“.  From the beginning this site hasn’t been about making money.   I just wanted a place to share tips & trick with you that I wish had been available to help me.

Stats

increasing-statsSince then traffic has grown steadily, especially since it started to get discussed on the AMOC forums.   Amazingly 5,700 viewers have read posts 20,500 times.  Currently about 30-50 people a day view a total of about 100-150 posts.  Viewers are from 125(!) countries all around the world including the UK, US, Canada, Germany, France, Australia, U.A.E, Japan and more.  Just Wow. Continue reading “Happy Birthday! Aston1936.com is 1 year old” →

Removing the Intake Manifold Brace from an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To2 Comments

Intake Manifold Brace with V12 and Logo from Aston Martin DB9The Centerpiece under the hood of any DB9 is the 6.0 V12 Aston Martin emblazoned logo on the Intake Manifold Center Brace.  You may need to remove this brace for various service items like changing your coil packs and spark plugs or perhaps servicing your PCV valves or something in the fuel injection system. Continue reading “Removing the Intake Manifold Brace from an Aston Martin DB9” →

Removing the Engine Bay Cross Braces from an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To9 Comments

Aston Martin DB9 Engine BracesUnder the hood (bonnet) of the DB9 are three structural cross braces linking the strut towers and the firewall in a triangle (natures strongest shape).  These braces perform a vital role in the cars handling – stiffening the front of the chassis.  If you are about to do some service work like changing your coil packs, spark plugs, PCV valves or even the windshield washer bottle filler neck you may need to remove one or all of these braces. Continue reading “Removing the Engine Bay Cross Braces from an Aston Martin DB9” →

Fender Covers while Performing Engine Service Work on an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To3 Comments
Aston Martin DB9 Right Front Fender and hood open
Please Protect Me!

Before you begin any work under the hood (bonnet) on your DB9 you should consider if there is a chance you might scratch or damage one of those gorgeous fenders (wings).  One momentary mistake could lead to much anguish should a spanner go awry, not to mention the buttons or zipper from your jeans or jacket.

Personally I don’t cover them up if I am just checking the oil or just having a peek under the hood, but if I am performing any real service I definitely cover them up. Continue reading “Fender Covers while Performing Engine Service Work on an Aston Martin DB9” →

Disconnecting the Battery in an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To12 Comments
Battery Compartment Opened on an Aston Martin DB9
Battery Negative Terminal Disconnected

There are MANY service events for your DB9 that say to disconnect the battery as one of the steps.   I am as realistic as anyone in this regard – meaning I usually skip this step if I think I can get away with it.  The safety Nazi’s probably tell you disconnect the battery to vacuum the carpets.   But, there are certainly some circumstances where this should be followed.  Working on your fuel system, working on the electrical system, etc.  Any situation where an accidental spark or short could destroy parts of the car. Continue reading “Disconnecting the Battery in an Aston Martin DB9” →

Depressurizing the Fuel System on an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To14 Comments

Aston Martin DB9 Fuel Charging SystemYou may need to depressurize the fuel system on your DB9 if you are going to do any work with the fuel rails or fuel injectors under the hood.  I am doing this as part of changing my coil packs and spark plugs, but you might be wanting to change a fuel injector or various other engine service tasks.  Normally the fuel system has ~40psi of fuel pressure (even when turned off as residual pressure), and if you are going to disconnect something with the fuel system under the hood (bonnet), you don’t want the risk of it spraying you, your car, or worst of all causing a fire.

Depressurizing it is fairly simple.  We are going to run the engine out of gas by removing a relay that operates the fuel pumps.  No fuel = no pressure.  Easy. Continue reading “Depressurizing the Fuel System on an Aston Martin DB9” →

Accessing the Cabin Fuse Box on an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To31 Comments
Aston Martin DB9 LHD Car Fusebox Location
Fuse Box Locations

An Aston Martin DB9 has 3 separate fuse boxes, one in the engine compartment, one in the passenger compartment and the last in the boot.   You may need to access the Cabin Fuse Box for a variety of service reasons as it contains fuses for a myriad of the vehicles systems.  In addition to the fuses, this is also the location of the Fuel Pump Relay, something you may need to remove to depressurize the fuel system if you are working on your fuel injectors.

Accessing the Cabin Fusebox is pretty easy once you know where it is.  From the owners manual diagram above you’d think it was under the dash on the right.   Actually, its under the floor mat on the Passenger side, so it’s different than in the diagram shown if you have a Right Hand Drive (RDH) car.   That’s right, under the floor mat, not hidden under the dash.  Check out my video below for a clear view of where it is. Continue reading “Accessing the Cabin Fuse Box on an Aston Martin DB9” →

How to Change the Coil Packs and Spark Plugs in an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To64 Comments
Revealing the Coil Packs on an Aston Martin DB9
Ahh, there are the Coil Packs….

If your DB9 has developed a Lumpy Idle (see my in depth post on this) you’ll be faced with either taking it to the Dealership (and a $1,800+ labor bill plus parts) or undertaking the task yourself over a weekend.  There is a considerable level of skill and determination required to accomplish this feat.  Easily the most complicated service event I’ve done yet on my 9.   If you have the gumption, tools and the time it can be a rewarding and cost saving experience.  I think anyone can do it if you properly prepare. Continue reading “How to Change the Coil Packs and Spark Plugs in an Aston Martin DB9” →

Tools Required to Change the Coil Packs and Spark Plugs on an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To3 Comments
Tools Required to Change the Coil Packs and Spark Plugs on an Aston Martin DB9
All the Tools You’ll Need

If you are about to embark on changing the coil packs, spark plugs and perhaps the PCV valves on your DB9, it’s always comforting to know you have all the tools to do the job BEFORE you start.   It’s really frustrating to be halfway into a task and find out you are stuck since you don’t have the right do-dad.   The DB9 isn’t quite as simple as changing the plugs and coil on an old Chevy small block V8, and you’ll be twisting the spanners for hours just to get near the plugs and coils. Continue reading “Tools Required to Change the Coil Packs and Spark Plugs on an Aston Martin DB9” →