What are the symptoms of a clogged fuel injector?
2 Answers
The symptoms of a clogged fuel injector include: 1. Engine shaking; 2. Unstable idle; 3. Reduced vehicle power and performance, such as unresponsive throttle or uneven acceleration; 4. Increased engine noise; 5. Slight misfiring sensation when upshifting at low RPM; 6. Higher fuel consumption; 7. Failed exhaust emissions. The common causes of fuel injector clogging are carbon deposits accumulating on the injector or impurities in the gasoline blocking the injector pathways. Gasoline inherently contains gums and impurities. Additionally, unstable components in gasoline can react under certain temperatures, forming sticky gum and resin-like substances. Coupled with urban traffic congestion, where cars often operate at low speeds or idle, these conditions further promote the formation and accumulation of such deposits.
Last time I drove, I encountered a clogged fuel injector, and the symptoms were quite obvious. It took several turns of the key to start the engine, especially when the car was cold in the morning. During acceleration, the car felt sluggish, as if being held back, and climbing hills was particularly strenuous. Fuel consumption skyrocketed—normally, a full tank could last 500 kilometers, but now it was running low after just over 400. At idle, the engine shook violently, and at traffic lights, the car trembled like it was dancing. The exhaust pipe emitted black smoke with a strong, pungent smell. These warning signs appeared even before the check engine light came on, so I rushed to the repair shop. After cleaning, the problem was resolved. Dirty fuel injectors are often caused by poor fuel quality or long-term carbon buildup. It's recommended to use 98-octane gasoline and add fuel system cleaner regularly for maintenance.
