Can You Still Drive with a Leaking Fuel Injector?
3 Answers
It is not advisable to continue driving with a leaking fuel injector. A leaking fuel injector can cause the engine to idle unevenly: A leaking fuel injector in a car can cause the engine to idle unevenly, and the gasoline dripping into the cylinder can make the air-fuel mixture too rich. An overly rich mixture can make the engine difficult to start. If carbon buildup on the fuel injector is severe, it may lead to slight leakage. You can add a carbon-cleaning additive to the fuel tank when refueling to help remove carbon deposits from the fuel injector. A leaking fuel injector can make starting the engine difficult: Carbon buildup on the fuel injector can also prevent the gasoline sprayed from the injector from being fully atomized, leading to incomplete combustion of the air-fuel mixture in the engine. Severe leakage from the fuel injector can make starting the engine very difficult, significantly increase fuel consumption, and cause black exhaust emissions from the tailpipe, along with severe engine shaking.
I've dealt with many car issues before, and fuel injector leaks are actually quite dangerous. A leak means fuel is directly exposed around the engine, which heats up during operation. At high temperatures, fuel can easily catch fire or even explode. That's no small matter - if a fire starts while driving, it could be life-threatening. Additionally, leaks increase fuel consumption, pollute the environment, and may cause engine malfunctions like shaking or sudden stalling. My advice is never take the risk of driving, especially on long trips or highways. In emergencies like a highway leak, first park safely, then call for assistance or contact a repair shop. Safety comes first - don't risk major consequences for minor savings. Regularly check the fuel injector area under the hood, as routine maintenance can prevent such problems.
Once my fuel injector was leaking, but I still drove to work. The engine was shaking badly with a strong smell of gasoline, and the car almost broke down. Later, the mechanic said the leak was due to aging seals on the injector. If I had kept driving, it could have damaged the engine or even caused a fire. So theoretically, you could drive short distances, like from home to a nearby repair shop, moving slowly at low speed, but always keep an eye on the dashboard and check for oil stains outside the car. Remember, don’t use the AC or drive at high speeds to avoid increasing the risk. The repair isn’t expensive—just a few hundred bucks for replacement parts. But don’t procrastinate like I did. After getting it fixed that day, I was relieved I handled it early. Otherwise, delaying could lead to an engine replacement costing thousands. Stay calm and prioritize fixing it for peace of mind.
