A bad fuel injector can cause too much or not enough fuel to be delivered into the engine – this will cause the Check Engine light on the car to turn on, indicating an issue.
The check engine light will come on.
In some cases, there may be too much fuel in the engine. In addition to the check engine light, your vehicle may even struggle to start. Inadequate fuel delivered to the cylinders will make it difficult for your car to complete the combustion process.
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 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.
On average, you can expect to pay between $350 and $850 to replace your fuel injectors. The range of costs depends on a number of factors.
Fuel injectors should be cleaned at least once every 36 months, or 45,000 miles. Replacing weak or worn-out engine parts without improving performance is not a good idea in general. However, cleaning out dirty injectors may gain a different perspective on engine health.
While fuel injector problems usually give warning, driving your vehicle for a long time with a clogged or faulty fuel injector can cause problems. At Rislone, we always advise customers to closely monitor how their engine is performing as a guide to determine if something might be wrong with their fuel system.
The cleaners have detergents that can break down gunk and they're applied to the fuel tank, so they can run through the injectors along with the fuel. Though, that method is better for preventative maintenance and won't unclog really sticky injectors.
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.
Although fuel injectors are individual, they are designed to work as part of a team with the other injectors. So, if you're wondering if you can replace just one injector or all, the answer is almost always to replace them all. Typically, the labor to replace one or all of them is the same.
Fuel Injector Cleaner Benefits
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.
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 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.
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.
As the engine misfires, the engine can quickly overheat and pre-ignite the fuel mixture. A damaged fuel injector will not only causes issues with driving, but the effects will persist even as the engine idles. Instead of a smooth engine idle, it will be rough and irregular when the fuel supply is abrupt.
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.
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.