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3 Signs You Need To Replace Your Fuel Injector

24 July 2018

Tommy Perkins

Your car's fuel injector is the part of your vehicle that works to provide an adequate supply of fuel to your engine while driving, hence the name. Of course, this very specific and essential function of your fuel injector means that any mechanical issues or malfunctions can have massive repercussions for the operation of your entire vehicle. Understanding some of the warning signs associated with a fuel injector that has begun to go bad can help you determine if you need to get in touch with a mechanic to have it replaced.

1. Reduced Fuel Efficiency

Perhaps the first, yet not the most obvious, sign that your fuel injector has begun to go bad is if you notice that your gas tank is emptying at an excessively quick rate, or at the very least, faster than before. A fuel injector that is pumping too much fuel into the engine causes the engine to run inefficiently, which will cause more gas to be burned while traveling at all speeds and over all distances. 

This is a serious problem, and one that can quickly become costly if left unaddressed, but reduced fuel efficiency can be caused by a whole host of mechanical issues under the hood, so a professional inspection or a combination with one of the below symptoms is necessary to determine if the fuel injector is in fact to blame.

2. Chronic Backfires

Another sign that your fuel injector is in need of replacement is if you find that your engine is constantly backfiring, even while idling or traveling at slow speeds. This is caused, again, by too much fuel being pumped into the engine, which causes uncontrolled and small explosions that come out as backfires. Of course, this is a significant problem as it can cause serious and expensive damage to your engine and should be addressed immediately by a professional.

3. Leaking Fuel

A more obvious and serious sign that your fuel injector has begun to go bad is if you notice that fuel is leaking out from underneath your vehicle, which you can tell by smell or by touch - try blotting it up with a piece of paper or a rag to determine its color. Any evidence of leaking fuel on your driveway after leaving your vehicle parked for a short period means that your injector is close to failing if it hasn't failed already. For safety reasons, don't drive your vehicle, but instead get in touch with a tow truck and head to the nearest mechanic to have the damage inspected.

For more information, contact a company like Olson's  Auto Body.

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