What are the symptoms of fuel injector leakage?
2 Answers
Symptoms of fuel injector leakage include: 1. Engine idle shaking; 2. Gasoline dripping into the cylinder can cause the mixture to become too rich, making the engine difficult to start; 3. Increased engine noise; 4. Throttle response becomes less sensitive, and acceleration is uneven; 5. Black smoke from the exhaust pipe, and accelerated wear of the piston rings. The causes of fuel injector leakage are: 1. Incomplete contact between the injector hole and the needle valve under the pressure of the adjusting spring; 2. The pressure spring loses its function, resulting in insufficient closing pressure; 3. Poor gasoline filtration. The fuel injector is an electromagnetic valve that controls the fuel spray into the engine by opening and closing, which helps the fuel burn more completely.
As someone who has driven many cars, I've encountered quite a few symptoms of fuel injector leaks. The most obvious is a sudden spike in fuel consumption because the fuel is quietly leaking out instead of being properly injected into the engine. You might notice that after filling up, the car doesn't cover the expected mileage. When starting the engine, it shakes violently, and the idle is unstable, almost like it's dancing. If you sniff around the engine bay, there's a strong gasoline smell, and over time, the odor lingers inside the car. The most dangerous sign is visible oil stains under the engine or around the fuel injectors, appearing wet. If the leak is severe, cold starts become difficult, and the car lacks power, struggling to accelerate when climbing hills. The main causes are often aging O-rings or damaged seals. Leaking fuel coming into contact with high-temperature components like the exhaust pipe can pose a fire hazard. It's safest to get it checked and repaired at a professional shop as soon as possible—don't take it lightly.
