How to Determine if Fuel Injectors are Faulty?
2 Answers
When a car's fuel injectors are damaged, it can lead to increased fuel consumption, reduced engine power, unstable idling, poor acceleration, and difficulty starting the vehicle. If these symptoms occur, prompt repair is necessary. Prolonged neglect can result in carbon deposits and accelerated engine wear. Information about fuel injectors: 1. Working Principle: When the electromagnetic coil is energized, it generates a magnetic force that lifts the needle valve, opening the injection hole. Fuel is sprayed at high speed through the annular gap between the needle valve's tip and the injection hole, forming a fine mist for optimal combustion. 2. Hazards of Clogged Injectors: Frequent low-speed and idling conditions can exacerbate the formation and accumulation of deposits. These deposits can cause carbon buildup on the intake valves, preventing them from sealing properly, leading to unstable engine idling and increasing the risk of engine knocking. Additionally, it can shorten the lifespan of the catalytic converter.
After driving for so many years, the most common fuel injector issue I've encountered is severe engine idling vibration, where the steering wheel even shakes, accompanied by weak acceleration when starting and noticeably increased fuel consumption—it feels like guzzling gas. To check if they're faulty, you can cold-start the vehicle and listen for uniform injector sounds; normally, there should be slight clicking noises. If one side is silent or intermittent, it might be broken. I used a simple OBD2 scanner to read fault code P0200 series, which directly pinpoints the faulty injector. Additionally, check for black smoke or unusual odors in the exhaust at idle, indicating incomplete fuel combustion. If abnormalities are found, it's best to visit a professional shop for a pressure tester to inspect the injector’s opening/closing action and verify if the spray pattern is evenly dispersed—don’t tamper with it yourself to avoid engine damage from improper disassembly. Regular injector cleaning prevents clogging; I recommend maintenance every 20,000 km.
