What symptoms can a leaking fuel injector cause in a car?
3 Answers
Leaking fuel injectors in a car can cause the engine to idle roughly, and the gasoline dripping into the cylinder can result in an overly rich air-fuel mixture, making the engine difficult to start. Below are the reasons for fuel injector leakage: Dirty engine oil: Dirty engine oil or impurities in the high-pressure fuel line can prevent the needle valve assembly from sealing properly, allowing high-pressure combustion gases to backflow and damage the needle valve assembly. Additionally, contaminants on the injector's pressure-regulating spring or tappet can contribute to this issue. Excessive engine temperature: High engine temperatures and inadequate cooling of the injector can cause the fuel delivery valve assembly to seize. Factors such as delayed fuel injection timing, excessive scale or blockage in the cooling passages, worn water pump impeller, or prolonged engine overloading can exacerbate this problem. Worn fuel delivery valve: A worn fuel delivery valve can lead to fuel dripping after the injector stops spraying, causing carbon buildup on the injector nozzle and eventual seizing.
I've seen quite a few fuel injector leaks during my auto repair career. It causes strong gasoline odors inside the car, especially noticeable after parking - that smell really makes you nervous. The engine behaves strangely too, idling roughly like it's dancing, and in severe cases may suddenly stall, making restarting difficult. Acceleration becomes sluggish too - you step on the gas but the car responds slowly like it's half-asleep. What's worse, fuel consumption spikes dramatically, with a full tank lasting just a few days. The biggest danger is leakage near hot components potentially causing fires - safety first! I recommend regular inspection of injector O-rings, don't wait until the check engine light comes on.
Last time I was driving, I encountered a fuel injector leak, and the car was shaking violently with the tachometer needle jumping up and down, as if it was about to stall at any moment. When I stopped, I smelled a strong, pungent gasoline odor, which scared me into immediately shutting off the engine. The mechanic told me that this kind of leak could cause a drop in power, making it extremely difficult to overtake, and fuel consumption could inexplicably double. What's even more concerning is the risk of explosion—if the leaking fuel reaches the exhaust pipe and catches fire, it could be disastrous. Fortunately, I dealt with it promptly, and after cleaning the fuel injectors, the car became much more stable. If anyone encounters a similar issue, don’t delay—fix it early for peace of mind.
