Common Fuel Injector

Problems and Their

Symptoms

Fuel injectors play an important role in the optimal

performance of your vehicle because they deliver

gasoline to the engine. Failure of fuel injectors

affects the performance of your vehicle. In this

article, we will discuss the role of fuel injectors in

fuel injection system, and the common fuel injector

problems and their symptoms.

Role of fuel injectors in fuel injection system

Fuel injection system is one of the major

developments in automotive engineering as it makes

the vehicle fuel efficient and less polluting. The fuel

injector plays an important role in fuel injection

system.

How the system works

The vehicle's engine uses internal combustion -

burning an air-fuel mixture to generate power. While

the air is taken from surroundings, fuel injectors inject

the fuel required for the combustion. The fuel

injection system atomizes the fuel and turns it into

fine mist by pushing the air-fuel mixture forcibly

through a tiny nozzle by applying high pressure. The

mixture is then sprayed into the combustion chamber

via the intake valve.

Let's take a look at the common problems and

symptoms associated with fuel injectors.

Dirty fuel injectors

If fuel injectors are not cleaned regularly, the left

out additives (that are not sprayed out) from fuel

form crust due to high temperature.

Dirty fuel injectors obstruct the smooth flow of

fuel or disrupt the injector spray resulting in an

uneven pattern. This can be identified when you

detect hard engine-striking, poor acceleration and

poor mileage.

Clogged fuel injectors

Fuel injectors are clogged with debris or particles

like rust or other foreign particles that enter the

injectors through the fuel pipes, tank or fuel lines.

The clogging may also be due to poor maintenance.

Clogged fuel injectors can be identified by checking

the signs of rough engine idle, misfiring or surging

engine.

Valve doesn't open or close

This problem arises as a result of faulty winding,

faulty spring or due to the buildup of rust or other

fuel additives on fuel injectors. This causes the

valve to get stuck and it will not open or close

properly. When the valve cannot open, fuel is not

delivered to enable combustion and hence power

cannot be generated. When valve cannot close,

there will be an excess supply of fuel for

combustion, resulting in wastage/leak of fuel.

Fuel injector leaks

This problem happens when the other systems

connected to fuel injectors fail. The systems

associated with fuel injectors should function

properly. Any faulty part or failure of systems

associated with it results in leaks in fuel injectors.

Leakages in fuel injectors show various symptoms

like rough engine idle, reduced gas mileage, engine

fire, etc.

Fuel injectors are an important component of your

vehicle. If you identify any of the common problems

mentioned, you can save a great deal of money by

taking measures immediately to fix these problems.

This will improve the performance of your vehicle.

Airtex Fuel Delivery Systems is the leading

aftermarket supplier of mechanical and electric fuel

pumps and modular reservoir assemblies (MRA).

For over 50 years, the Airtex brand has been the

benchmark of fuel delivery and cooling system

components. Airtex fuel pump is an OE replacement

pump. Airtex electric fuel pump and mechanical

pump models are available for old and new cars.