Why injectors go bad

Starting the engine requires an adequate supply of fuel which if not provided properly, could give a very hard time in starting the engine. This is also usually caused by clogging or partial blockage.

Furthermore, if there is complete blocking of the fuel injector, it could actually entirely keep your vehicle from being started hence breaking down of your vehicle. Another reason why you might be facing this issue is a partially leaking fuel injector.

Due to the leakage, the pressure in the fuel rails might drop, and fuel might not be sprayed as much as calculated by the ECU Electronic Control Unit. An injector that stops working is not a fire risk but can damage and cause the vehicle to run poorly. However, there may be times when the body of the fuel injector gets damaged, resulting in partial breakage or even cracking of the outer body. As this goes on for quite a time, the fuel could accumulate on the outer body, and due to the extensive heat engine produces while operating, a fire could ignite.

In the worst case, it could even destroy the whole vehicle. A broken or leaking fuel injector may result in incomplete fuel burn, which could cause a lot of emissions to the environment, which should be a great concern for avoiding pollution. Sometimes, a fault in the fuel injector causes the air-fuel mixture to fuel so-rich that the catalytic converter actually out. This could cause a heck of a fortune to fix. Furthermore, faulty fuel injectors could release extra smoke coming from unburnt fuel, especially from the tailpipe.

This smoke is very hazardous, and if any signs of it are seen, you should immediately go for service. This is the question that might worry you. Well, to be clear, a fuel injector gone bad does not damage the engine directly.

But, as I have mentioned above, there are a lot of discomforts that come along, and in some cases, if the fuel injector is blocked completely, they can keep your vehicle from running. However, to be back on track, you will only need to get your fuel injector fixed, and your engine would not be hurt. So, there might not be a direct link between bad fuel injector damaging your engine; it may present you with enough disgust and discomfort that you are eventually forced to repair or replace the fuel injectors.

In most cases, people do not bother about getting their faulty fuel injectors fixed unless they are very much forced to do so. They rather get themselves used to the engine hiccups, increased fuel costs, and the problems in starting of the vehicle.

For example, setting your engine on fire may be where you eventually end up. Or someday, without you seeing it coming, the fuel injector may get totally blocked, and you might not be able even to start it. So, to avoid all these occasions, and even knowing that a bad fuel injector might not damage the engine directly, you still should rush to the mechanic and get it fixed before it becomes bigger of a problem.

Their computer is showing all is Ok. The process is:. Sometimes fuel injectors can develop faults which impact on their performance or cause breakdowns. This is often due to them becoming clogged with debris, although some mechanical and electrical issues can also affect fuel injectors. Here, we take a look at some of the common signs and symptoms associated with a faulty fuel injector. The most common sign of a bad fuel injector is the check engine warning light, which appears on the dashboard.

Although there are a few different reasons why a check engine light can switch on, it could be down to a fuel injector. The ECU triggers the warning light when the injector is delivering too much or too little fuel. Does your car often misfire? Both of these symptoms can be caused by a faulty fuel injector, most likely a clog or blockage in the nozzle.

As with misfiring, this is normally down to the injector nozzles being clogged with particles, which interfere with the atomisation and spray of the fuel. Several faults can cause a rough idle noise, including a bad spark plug or a dirty air filter, but clogged injectors are one of the most common reasons for this.

Does your engine randomly stall or cut out without you doing anything to cause it? This could be due to a lack of fuel reaching the engine from the injectors. If too little fuel is reaching the combustion chamber, the ECU will stop the engine, causing a stall.

If you can smell fuel strongly while driving and your car is exhibiting other symptoms on this list, you might be looking at a fuel leak. You might also notice a drop on the fuel gauge.

In the past, vehicles were manufactured to spray fuel into the upper intake manifold to mix with air before entering the combustion chamber for ignition. As time progressed, manufacturers changed to fuel injection using the one injector per cylinder process, where fuel is injected into the lower intake manifold just behind the intake valve. As of late, many vehicle makers have transitioned into direct injection. Direct injection deposits fuel directly into each cylinder instead of the intake manifold.

Direct fuel injection systems produce fewer emissions, are more powerful, and deliver fuel more efficiently. However, the direct injection does come at a higher cost due to costlier parts and higher fuel consumption. So, while the vehicle may use fuel more efficiently, it does consume a considerable amount.

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. Fuel injectors can also leak externally as a result of dry, cracked rubber seals, or cracks within the injector itself.

Electrical portions of the injector are particularly vulnerable to age, heat, and damage from moisture. Symptoms of failure include:. Any time your vehicle is experiencing a leak, it should be inspected by a technician right away, especially fuel leaks. Leaking fuel and vapors can ignite under the hood of the vehicle and could start a fire.

A clogged injector is not a safety concern, but it does starve the vehicle causing it to run poorly. Prolonged fuel starvation can lead to internal engine damage or damage to the catalytic converter. Fuel injectors can be inspected and tested to determine if they should be replaced or cleaned. An electric balance test for an electronic failure may be possible with the use of a scan tool.