Typically, a car delivers a subtle rumble when at idle. If you notice that the sound has gone from low to a rough and unpleasant noise, it may be a sign of bad fuel injectors. That occurs when particles build up on the injector nozzles, thus affecting the amount of spray and atomization of fuel.
While the engine runs, put the tip of a long metal screwdriver against one of the fuel injectors. Lean in and put your ear on the handle of the screwdriver. A clicking sound indicates a good injector. If you don't hear anything, the injector may need to be cleaned or replaced.
Fuel injectors typically fail due to a buildup of contaminants such as carbon. Carbon build-up can cause a clogged or partially clogged injector, preventing the injector from closing all the way. This results in a drip that creates a misfire.
Acceleration Trouble
If the fuel injectors are clogged, your vehicle will not be getting the gas it needs to generate the power to go faster. The result is a sluggish response to your acceleration commands, including when you are stopped or when you are trying to pick up speed on surface streets or highways.
With your fuel injectors safely removed, you can now clean them individually. Using a soft-bristled brush, you can apply your carburetor cleaner to the outside. Use a fuel injector jumper in order to open up the fuel injector, then spray your cleaner through each side of the fuel injector.
"Fuel injectors have an atomizing nozzle that distributes fuel evenly for optimal combustion and efficiency." Now, a vehicle will typically have one fuel injector per cylinder, with a lifespan of between 50,000 and 100,000 miles, or about 80,000 and 160,000 kilometers.
Common causes of injector failure
While many things can cause breakdowns, the most likely cause of premature failure is fuel contamination. Fuel contamination occurs when debris in the fuel gets past the filtration, destroying the sealing surfaces. Think microns, smaller than a human's hair-sized, clearances.
The only guaranteed way to unclog a clogged injector properly is by removing the injectors from the engine. Once removed, the injectors can be dropped off or mailed to a professional injector cleaning service such as Injector RX.
If you have one or more faulty fuel injectors — due to wear or mechanical or electrical issues, driving for a long time can cause several problems: Stalling or failure for your car to start. Flooding of your engine. Pre-ignition of your fuel.
Age and condition – if the injectors are old or worn out, a clean may not be enough to restore performance and could do more damage. Severe clogging may mean they need to be replaced anyway. Costs – cleaning fuel injectors is cheaper than replacing them.
Dirty fuel injectors may cause your vehicle's engine to misfire. This problem makes the motor feel as though it is sputtering — sending vibrations through the car. Such misfires can happen when a fuel injector problem mixes up the delicate balance between fuel and air entering the engine.
Regularly changing your fuel filter (according to your vehicle manufacturer's recommendations) will help keep debris from circulating. You can also add fuel injector cleaner to your gas tank, which may help solve running issues such as sputtering.
This involves attaching a special cleaning device to the fuel injectors and then running the engine. Mechanical cleaners are usually more expensive than chemical cleaners, but they're also more effective. The most effective way to clean fuel injectors is with an ultrasonic cleaner.
In severe cases, dirty fuel injectors can cause your engine to misfire. The misfire occurs when there's difficulty with the air and fuel mixture entering the engine. This problem will usually cause the car to vibrate. You might even hear a jerk and pop sound.
3) Engine surge – If the fuel injector is spraying too much fuel into the engine cylinder, this will create a surge in the engine causing your acceleration to be much slower. When you drive, you'll notice that the engine RPM will change noticeable under constant load rather than remaining at a constant RPM.
If too much fuel is being injected into the engine, this can cause the engine to surge. This will make it feel like your car is jumping forward quickly but struggling to fully take off. You may also notice a loss in power or acceleration.
Experts blame the excess alcohol and additives in most gasoline products because they cause premature failure of fuel injectors. It pays to know your fuel and stick with it. Other than only getting high-grade gasoline, you must also change out the oil frequently and replace bad fuel filters.