The fuel injectors on your car are components that use an electrical signal to deliver a precise amount of fuel into your engine. As they get older or dirty, they can start to malfunction. While a mechanic can perform a test to determine if your fuel injectors are working properly, this can be a costly service.
The cost for testing and cleaning injectors can range from as low as $15 up to $100 for each injector.
According to Angie's List, the average cost of a fuel injector cleaning ranges between $50 and $80. However, these figures could be a bit higher, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. In addition, you may be assessed a fee of around $50 if your fuel filter needs to be replaced.
By adding fuel injector cleaners to the fuel, the problem will most probably be exacerbated. Why? The injector cleaner has a cleaning affect on everything it touches. All the debris loosened by the cleaner is pumped to the fuel injector set that already has a problem.
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.
The most common fault codes associated with a clogged fuel injector are P0171 and P0174, which indicates the engine controller is seeing a lean condition. It is also possible to see fault codes for a rich condition if the injector is leaking or not atomizing correctly.
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.
If you happen to hear a rough idling voice, then it is a sign that the fuel injector is bad and it is not delivering the necessary fuel to the engine. Also, a fuel injector normally makes a ticking sound when it works, if you fail to hear that sound, you might have a bad fuel injector.
In short, when used regularly, fuel cleaners work. They can help remove harmful deposits, prevent new deposits from forming, and enhance vehicle performance. Fuel additives can improve gas mileage, reduce long-term maintenance costs, and they're affordable.
The fuel injectors on your car will typically last between 50,000 and 100,000 miles. The length of time that the injector lasts has a lot to do with the type of gas that is used in the car and how often the various fuel filters are changed.
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.
PD injectors ( Pumpe Duse) can be sent away for testing. This will take 4-5 working days.
Replacement Schedule for Fuel Injectors
The Injectors ought to be replaced every 50-100,000 miles, in normal conditions. That is according to some published studies, but the true replacement interval may be very different, based on several factors.
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.
Fortunately, you're right about clogged fuel injectors being a symptom of a misfiring engine. If used correctly, though, a fuel injector cleaner should remedy the problem and stop your engine from misfiring.
If you've noticed symptoms of injector failure while driving, don't delay! While the risk of severe engine damage is relatively low, it's not impossible. More importantly, replacing a bad fuel injector will improve the fuel economy, engine power, and overall drivability of your vehicle.
Injectors are prone to clogging due to the hydrocarbons that fuel contains. The injectors' nozzles become eventually clogged or blocked because of hardened deposits. Leaks can also happen and cause trouble.
This fuel mixes with air, and then a spark is added and BOOM, combustion. An “injector service” is nothing more than running some cleaning fluid (called “fuel injector cleaner”) thru your injectors. The fluid that dealerships will use is the same stuff you can buy yourself and your local auto parts store.
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.
How Fast Do Fuel Injector Cleaners Work? Although most fuel injector cleaners begin working immediately, it takes time before the improvements become noticeable. Before the cleaners start working effectively, the vehicle should travel several hundred miles and burn a good portion of a full fuel tank.