What are the symptoms of non-atomizing fuel injectors?
4 Answers
Symptoms of non-atomizing fuel injectors include: 1. Poor engine combustion, causing shaking and easy carbon buildup; 2. Due to excessively large diesel droplets failing to burn completely, they flow along the cylinder wall into the oil pan, increasing the oil level, reducing viscosity, worsening lubrication, and potentially causing bearing seizure or cylinder scoring accidents. The cleaning method for fuel injectors is: 1. Open the engine hood and hang the cleaning device on the front hood of the car; 2. Remove and block the return pipe from the engine connection point; 3. Remove the fuel inlet pipe from the engine connection point and connect it to the cleaning device outlet pipe; 4. Open the fuel tank cap and remove the fuel pump fuse; 5. Add the cleaning agent to the storage bottle and adjust the pressure regulating valve knob to a smaller position; 6. Connect compressed air to the cleaning device air inlet and increase the pressure regulating valve pressure; 7. Open the cleaning device fuel inlet valve and start the engine.
My car had a fuel injector atomization issue a few years ago, with very obvious symptoms: the car was extremely difficult to start, especially in cold weather, requiring multiple attempts to fire up. When driving, acceleration was sluggish, struggling even on slopes, and pressing the gas pedal felt like stepping on cotton. Fuel consumption also skyrocketed—previously, a full tank could cover 500 kilometers, but during the fault, it barely made it past 400. The engine constantly shook, vibrating the steering wheel even when idling at red lights, accompanied by a rattling noise. Black smoke emitted from the exhaust, making people nearby cough. I towed it to the repair shop, where the mechanic diagnosed it as clogged fuel injectors. After cleaning, the problem was resolved. The advice was to regularly replace the fuel filter or use high-quality fuel to prevent impurities from blocking the injectors. Otherwise, it could damage the engine, cutting its lifespan by more than half.
Over the years of repairing cars, I've encountered numerous cases of fuel injectors failing to atomize properly. Typical symptoms include unstable engine idling, with RPMs fluctuating up and down, and the car shaking violently when stationary, as if experiencing an earthquake. There's often a lack of power during acceleration, with speed failing to increase even when the throttle is fully depressed. Increased fuel consumption is common—even with unchanged driving habits, the fuel gauge drops rapidly. Emissions fail to meet standards, with visible black smoke due to incomplete fuel combustion. Sometimes, ignition fails, requiring multiple attempts to start, and diagnostic tools may show error codes P0171 or P0174. Never ignore these signs, as they can lead to damage to the oxygen sensor and catalytic converter. Early inspection and cleaning of the fuel injectors can prevent major repairs.
My commuter car started showing symptoms of non-atomizing fuel injectors last month: difficulty starting, several failed attempts to ignite, making me late for work. While driving, I felt sluggish acceleration and struggled to overtake. Fuel consumption suddenly increased, requiring an extra refill each week, which was both costly and annoying. The engine noise became louder, and I could feel slight vibrations when parked. There was a faint smoky smell from the exhaust, which I only noticed after a friend pointed it out. I took it to a repair shop for a cheap fuel injector cleaning, and everything returned to normal. I recommend getting it checked at the first sign of trouble to avoid damaging other components. Regular maintenance and fuel system checks can prevent issues before they arise.
