Car Parts Plus

Diagnosing Problems With Your Car’s Fuel Injectors
Your engine’s performance is dependent on the air-fuel mixture that fills each cylinder’s combustion chamber. An optimal blend helps to ensure peak efficiency. Gas is delivered through a set of fuel injectors (FIs); the amount is controlled by data sent to your vehicle’s computer (i.e. engine controller) by a number of sensors.

Assuming the sensors are working properly, the correct amount of gas is normally sprayed through the nozzles of the FIs. However, problems can occur that lead to a lean mixture (i.e. too little fuel). If the mixture leans out, you may experience misfiring and even detonation, which can eventually damage your engine.

Below, we’ll take a closer look at the reasons this problem occurs. I’ll explain why fuel injectors can become clogged over time and how you can keep them clean for better engine performance.

Deposits And Clogs

Clogging occurs due to the buildup of deposits within the nozzles of the FIs. It doesn’t take a large obstruction to have an impact on your vehicle’s performance. If one of the nozzles suffers a 10% blockage, it can cause a misfire.

The most common cause of clogging is the presence of hydrocarbons within gasoline. Hydrocarbons contain a waxy material called oilfins. During operation, heat is generated around your fuel injectors as the hydrocarbons burn. When you turn your car off, residual heat cooks the oilfins and hardens them. As the heat dissipates, the oilfins form deposits within the openings of the nozzles. These deposits block the passage of gas.

On most small 4-cylinder vehicles, the second and third FIs are exposed to the most heat. As a result, they are the most susceptible to clogging. In larger engines, the fuel injectors in the middle are likewise more vulnerable to clogging.

Gasoline typically contains detergents that are designed, in part, to wash the injectors and keep them free of obstructions. However, some gasoline companies cut corners to save costs and under price their competitors. They do so by reducing the level of detergents in their gas, or by using lower-quality detergents.

Keeping The Injectors Clean

It’s worth having the FIs checked every 30,000 miles to ensure that the nozzles have not become clogged with deposits. If they have become clogged, your mechanic should be able to connect them to a cleaning machine and run detergents through them. It’s a simple procedure and should take less than 30 minutes.

If you were experiencing misfires due to a lean air-fuel mixture, the cleaning procedure should be able to resolve them immediately. If the deposits are stubborn, your mechanic may need to perform multiple cleaning cycles.

There may be times when your fuel injectors are so badly clogged that the detergents are ineffective for removing the deposits. If that’s the case, your mechanic will need to remove the FIs and clean them using specialized equipment.

Keeping your fuel injectors clear of obstructions will improve the overall performance of your car’s engine. If you notice misfiring or signs of detonation, ask your mechanic to check for clogs within the nozzles.

Used Car Parts

Subscribe to this Car Parts Plus feed

Other Interesting Car Articles

• Your Car’s Gas Tank Draining Removing And Installing (0)
• The True Cost Of Owning Your Vehicle (0)
• Summer Car Maintenance: Getting Your Car Ready For The Road (0)
• Noisy Brakes? Try These Solutions (0)
• The Value Of Vehicle Computer Chip Adjustments (0)