Fuel injectors do not last forever. They clog and they also develop leaks. As your engine produces combustion, carbon is deposited in the combustion chamber. This carbon is what clogs your fuel injectors. Dirt and sediment found in gasoline can also clog the injectors. Clark’s Car Care advises that it’s time for a professional fuel injector cleaning if you notice the following engine problems.
Dead Engine
The fuel injectors are responsible for getting the diesel fuel or gasoline into the combustion chamber. They either spray the accelerant into the cylinders directly, or they spray it into an intake manifold. If the fuel injectors are completely clogged, there will be no fuel in your combustion chamber.
Poor Fuel Economy
If the fuel injectors are leaking, you will notice a significant difference in your fuel economy. This is because the fuel that is leaking out of the fuel injectors is burning away. If the leak is bad enough, you may even see puffs of black exhaust coming out of your tailpipe.
Rough Idling
Clogged fuel injectors can also make your engine idle roughly. When the injectors are clogged, little if any gas is making its way into the chamber and, as such, your vehicle becomes fuel-starved. A fuel-starved engine will idle roughly and threaten to stall. In severe cases, the engine will stall.
Sporadic RPMs
You may notice some fuel making its way into the engine in spurts by looking at your tachometer needle. As the spurts of fuel are burned away, the needle will rise to register the higher RPMs. A sporadic RPM needle is definitely a sign of clogged fuel injectors. It can also be a sign that the fuel injectors are leaking or that your engine has a vacuum leak that is causing air spurts in the engine.
Stuttering Engine
Finally, if your engine is fuel-starved, it will stutter. You will notice a lag in your acceleration, or your acceleration may be jerky. Once you get to the desired speed, your engine will not run smoothly. Rather, it will sputter and hiccup because it is getting gasoline in spurts and it doesn’t have enough gasoline to maintain smooth and efficient operation.
There is no need to worry. We’ve got you covered here at Clark’s Car Care in Naperville, IL. We are a full-service auto shop and we can professionally clean your fuel injectors to restore your engine’s performance. If the injectors are leaking, we can replace them. Call us today for a service appointment.