Troubleshoot Engine

Recognizing and Resolving Bad Fuel Injector Issues: A Complete Guide

leaking fuel injectors
Internally leaking fuel injectors can cause engine to run rich

Fuel injectors are used in all modern engines, and are a vital component in the fuel management system. A bad fuel injector will wreak havoc with how your engine runs, and will likely leave you stranded on the side of the road.

In general, bad fuel injectors can lead to several noticeable symptoms. These include a rough idle, engine misfires, reduced power and acceleration, increased fuel consumption, and the presence of a fuel odor. The Check Engine light may also illuminate on the dashboard.

These issues arise because the fuel injectors are not delivering the correct amount of fuel to the engine, which disrupts the air-fuel mixture and affects engine performance.

5 Symptoms of A Bad Fuel Injector

If there is something wrong with one or more of your car’s fuel injectors, then it won’t run properly, or may not run at all. 

Here’s a run down of the main faulty injector symptoms that will affect most cars. You will need to have the car ECU scanned for error codes to be absolutely sure that it’s an injector problem. Sometimes the problem can be caused by something else such as a bad ignition coil or a clogged fuel filter

1. Engine Management Light on Dash

This doesn’t really tell you anything, except that there is a problem with the engine. A faulty injector will cause the engine to misfire, and this will trigger the engine management light. You will need to investigate further to narrow down the cause of the misfire.

2. Car won’t start easily (or at all)

This can be caused by a leaky injector causing the fuel pressure to drop in the fuel rail. A smell of unburnt fuel from the engine bay can point to a leaky injector. Any possible fuel leakage should be investigated straight away.

3. Engine knocking and vibration

If an injector is partially blocked, then the right amount of fuel won’t be getting into the engine cylinder. This will cause knocking and excessive engine vibration. There are lots of other causes of car vibrations. Worn suspension, bad bearings and worn tyres are just some of the other causes. Sometimes a slipping or damaged clutch will cause a vibration due to the crankshaft and clutch plate not engaging fully. 

4. Poor Engine Performance

A badly performing injector will affect the running of the engine. Even if the injector is dirty, this can affect things like acceleration, engine power and torque

5. Poor fuel economy

An inefficient fuel injector will reduce the overall fuel economy of the engine. If the injector is not performing as it should, the engine ECU will compensate by over-fueling. This causes the engine to run “rich”, leading to more fuel being used than necessary.

Why Causes a Bad Fuel injector?

A fuel injector will usually only fail in one of two ways. It will either become clogged internally, or will failmechanically

Here’s a list of the most common reasons why a fuel injector fails:

1. Dirty/Clogged Injectors – What causes a fuel injector to become blocked?       

Over time the nozzle of the injector can become dirty, and partially blocked. This is caused by the burning of hydrocarbons that are present in the fuel, flowing through the injector. When you shut off your engine, the injector will soak up the heat of the engine. This causes any fuel left in the injector to evaporate, leaving behind hard deposits inside the injector. Over time, these will eventually block the injector. 

2. Leaking Injectors – What causes a fuel injector to leak? 

The most common cause of leaky injectors is the failure of the O-ring where the injector meets the fuel rail. This can become hard and brittle from the heat of the engine. If it breaks, then fuel can leak out over the engine. This can be dangerous and is a common cause of engine fires. The other way an injector will leak is if the injector body or nozzle cracks.

bad fuel injectors

How to Diagnose a faulty fuel injector?

So your engine is running badly (or not at all).  What’s the next step in diagnosing a problem with the engine injectors?

1. Call a mechanic

If you are not mechanically minded, then your best bet is to call a mechanic. Injectors (and engines) can be complicated and expensive to repair, so if you are unsure at all, then let an expert diagnose it. 

2. Use an OBD code reader

This will tell you if the Engine Control Unit (ECU) has logged any errors. If an engine misfires because of a bad injector, there will be an error code that will point to the injector in question.

If you are using a generic (not vehicle manufacturer specific) code reader then you can expect to see codes beginning with P02. For example, a fault with an injector in cylinder one would give a code of P0201. You may also see other error codes such as P0101, P0300, P0299.

3. Visually inspect the engine bay

If you open up the hood and there is a strong smell of fuel then a leaky injector could be the culprit. If there are no error codes, the next step will be to remove each injector for inspection. This is usually best left to fuel injector experts.

4. Remove and test all injectors

Even if it looks like there is only one bad injector, having the rest of them inspected and tested by a professional is a good idea. If the engine has covered a lot of mileage, chances are the other injectors are dirty and may fail soon too.  

If you suspect that a broken injector is your problem, then the easiest way to diagnose it is to check the engine ECU for error codes. A broken injector will cause an engine to misfire and this will trigger an error code. 

Can A Faulty Fuel Injector Be Repaired?

Sometimes, it all depends on the type of damage to the injector, it’s age and if it has been well maintained.

Here’s a quick rundown of what can and can’t be fixed:

  1. Leaking Injector – If the O-ring fitted to the injector is the problem, then replacing this ring will usually fix the leak. If the injector body, nozzle or internal components are cracked, then a new or refurbished injector is your only option.
  2. Replacement fuel injector seals and washers are cheap and fairly easy to fit. This can often fix the problem, and if you are handy with a wrench it’s not that difficult to do.
  3. Dirty Injector – It is fairly inexpensive to have your car injectors cleaned and overhauled by a professional. This involves inspection and cleaning of the injector, usually with high pressure washer. If the injector is in good working order and passes an Ohm test, then seals and O-rings are replaced before refitting.
  4.  It is recommended that you should get them cleaned at regular intervals, to help prevent problems down the road. 
  5. It can also be a good idea to run a fuel system cleaner through your car a couple of times a year. This will help to keep injectors, fuel pumps and fuel lines clean and clear of carbon build ups. It will also increase the service intervals of the injectors.
  6. Clogged Injector – Clogged injectors can usually be repaired, if you catch the problem quickly.  Sometimes a fuel injector is completely clogged because of years of neglect or a lack of regular engine servicing. If this is the case then a refurbished replacement may be the only option. Again, regular use of a fuel system cleaner can help to prevent clogged injectors in the first place.

How to prevent Fuel injector problems

To prevent fuel injector problems in vehicles, it’s important to follow a few key maintenance and operational practices:

  1. Use High-Quality Fuel: Low-quality fuel can contain contaminants that clog or damage fuel injectors. Using high-quality fuel helps ensure that the injectors remain clean and functional.
  2. Regularly Replace Fuel Filters: The fuel filter protects the injectors by trapping particles and contaminants. Over time, the filter can become clogged, so it’s important to replace it according to the manufacturer’s recommended schedule.
  3. Use Fuel Additives if Recommended: Some manufacturers recommend using fuel additives to clean and protect the fuel injectors. These additives can help remove deposits and prevent the buildup of new deposits.
  4. Maintain a Healthy Fuel System: Regular maintenance of the entire fuel system, including the pump and lines, can help prevent issues that could indirectly affect the fuel injectors.
  5. Avoid Running on Low Fuel: Running your vehicle on a very low fuel level can lead to sediment in the tank being drawn into the fuel system, potentially clogging the injectors.

About the author

The Motor Guy

The Motor Guy is a passionate car enthusiast with a love for troubleshooting and diagnosing all sorts of vehicle problems.

With years of experience in OBD diagnostics, he has become an expert in identifying and solving complex automotive issues.

Through TheMotorGuy.com, he shares his knowledge and expertise with others, providing valuable insights and tips on how to keep your vehicle running smoothly.

Qualifications:
- 12 years experience in the automotive industry
- ASE Master Automobile Technician
- A Series: Automobile and Light Truck Certification, A9 Light Vehicle Diesel Engine Certification
- Bachelor's Degree in Information Systems

2 Comments

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  • I recently noticed my car has been idling roughly and there’s been an increase in fuel consumption. Could these issues be due to a bad fuel injector, and if so, how could I confirm it myself before taking it to a mechanic?

  • I’ve been facing frequent engine misfires and increased fuel consumption lately. Could these issues indicate a problem with my fuel injectors, and if so, how can I confirm it’s definitely the injectors before considering repairs or replacements?