Valve needle and metering device comprising the same

The invention relates to a valve needle for a high-pressure injector for a fuel injection system, in which axial movement of the valve needle in a valve seat controls opening and closing a metering opening of the injector, comprising an needle body (12) with a cylindrical upper portion (14), the needle body (12) having an end part provided with a plunger (20) for closing the metering opening (36). According to the invention a single guide element (16) is provided, surrounding the needle body, the guide element (16) providing a close sliding fit of the valve needle (10) in the valve seat (40).