In this guide, we are going to see the common signs of bad fuel injector, so when you see these signs, you can tell what’s wrong with your car.
Gasoline or fuel injectors are an important component of your car’s engine because they feed fuel at precisely the appropriate time to ensure clean and efficient combustion. Fuel injectors can develop faults or become blocked if not maintained properly, therefore you must know how to recognize the indicators of a malfunctioning fuel injector and how to repair it.
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Let’s look at the common signs of bad fuel injector…
Signs Of Bad Fuel Injector
Fuel injectors can develop problems that affect their performance or lead them to fail. Fuel injectors can become blocked with debris, but they can also be affected by mechanical and electrical problems. When you see the signs below, know that your fuel injector is bad:
Check Engine Warning Light
The check engine warning light on the dashboard is the most prevalent symptom of a malfunctioning fuel injector. This light will turn on as soon as an injector isn’t performing as it should. (To put it another way, if it’s adding too much or not enough.)
The check engine light might come on for a variety of reasons, but one of them could be a faulty fuel injector. When the injector delivers too much or too little fuel, the ECU activates the warning light.
Vibrating Or Misfiring Engine
Is your car prone to misfiring? Or maybe there’s a lag once you step on the gas pedal? A defective fuel injector, most likely a clog or blockage in the nozzle, can cause both of these symptoms.
The fuel-air mix in the combustion chamber will be off if the injector can’t deliver the dose of fuel required by the ECU, which can result in misfiring or a rapid loss in acceleration. That’s why it’s critical to keep your car’s fuel injectors clean and clear of debris.
A Rough Idle Noise
The fuel injectors may not be supplying gasoline as they should if your car’s idle noise has changed and feels harsher. This, like misfiring, is usually caused by particulates clogging the injector nozzles, interfering with the atomization and spray of the fuel.
A rough idle noise can be caused by a variety of issues, such as a faulty spark plug or a filthy air filter, but clogged injectors are one of the most prevalent.
Engine Staling
Is your engine stalling or cutting out on its own without you doing anything to trigger it? This could be because the injectors aren’t delivering enough gasoline to the engine. If there isn’t enough gasoline in the combustion chamber, the ECU will shut down the engine, resulting in a stall.
When the nozzles are badly obstructed or there is a fuel leak where the injector attaches to the fuel lines, the engine stalls.
Leaking Of Fuel
If you notice a strong odor of fuel while driving and your automobile exhibits additional symptoms from this list, you may have a fuel leak. Fuel leaks can happen where the injector connects to the injector, as well as on the injector itself if it’s old and neglected.
You can tell whether there has been a leak by looking at the fuel injector. There will be fuel on or around the injector if there has been a leak. A dip in the fuel gauge is also possible.
Bad Fuel Economy
A malfunctioning fuel injector might result in a considerable reduction in fuel efficiency. This is because the ECU is requesting additional fuel from the injector, but it is not being delivered to the combustion chamber. The lower your fuel economy, the less gasoline reaches the engine. When the injectors are blocked or leaking, you may notice a reduction in fuel economy.
Car Refuses To Start
Fuel injectors are responsible for delivering gas to the correct cylinders. That is the first task. And if Job #1 isn’t completed, your engine won’t obtain the vital combination of oxygen and fuel it requires. When the air-to-fuel ratio in your engine is off, your engine may not be able to achieve the combustion it requires to run.
Fuel injector problems are uncommon, but they can cause engine failure and prevent your car from starting. It’s also possible that your car won’t start because you, well, neglected to fill it up with gas.
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How To Maintain Fuel Injectors
When an injector fails to deliver fuel as it should, the fuel-air mix in the combustion chamber is disrupted. As a result, some gasoline isn’t burned off, resulting in more harmful emissions being released into the atmosphere.
Checking and cleaning the fuel injectors is an important maintenance task if you want to minimize your emissions before a MOT.
What Happens If You Drive With Bad Fuel Injectors?
The engine can quickly overheat and pre-ignite the gasoline mixture if it misfires. A faulty fuel injector will not only cause driving problems, but the consequences will last even while the engine is idle. When the gasoline delivery is abrupt, the engine will idle coarsely and irregularly instead of smoothly.
How Can I start a Car With Bad Fuel Injector?
Start the engine and let it idle for a while. Keep the engine running and press the fuel injector with the end of a long metal screwdriver. Place your ear against the screwdriver’s other end. Your injector is working if you hear a clicking sound.
What Causes Injectors To Fail?
When debris (water, dirt particles, etc.) or rust get into the system, they plug up the nozzle, the armature, or the nozzle needle gets stuck, and the fuel injectors fail. You should also think about fuel additives that are meant to keep the fuel in your system stable.
What’s The Sign Of A Bad Fuel Injector?
The sound of a malfunctioning injector is more like a rattle or tapping sound, in my opinion. A faulty injector would also leak excess gasoline into the exhaust, which could be seen or smelled. It’s also possible that the oxygen sensor will generate a code.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace Fuel Injectors?
You’ll need to get the fuel injector replaced if it breaks down or begins to malfunction, and we’ll walk you through the procedure. The cost of replacing the fuel injector should be between $250 and $350. Labor should cost between $120-$160, while parts should cost between $140 and $190.
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