Every part of your car needs to be maintained. When you maintain your car you prevent it from failing at you when you need it. Are you ready to be a wise vehicle owner? One crucial component that needs to be clean is the fuel injector.
A dirty and clogged fuel injector can cause your engine to malfunction. The repair costs are high and it may not be something you want to stress about.
You can prevent this when you purchase a fuel injector cleaner. It’s easy to use at home.
How often should you use the fuel injector cleaner?
The times to use the fuel injector cleaner depends on the type of transmission you have:
- check Gas-injector cleaners should be used every 1,550 miles
- check Diesel-injector cleaners should be used in every tank
Why should you use a fuel injector cleaner?
It’s important for you to use a fuel injector cleaner when specified. You receive the following benefits when you maintain the car’s engine with a fuel injector cleaner.
Cleans the engine—the best way to protect your car
During use, your engine will collect a variety of pollutants such as:
- Carbon deposits
- Varnish
- Debris
These items can clog up the injector and are harmful to the engine. This leads to malfunctions in the engine’s performance. It can burn more fuel or emit harmful deposits into the environment.
When you keep the engine clean you extend the lifespan of your car.
Increased horsepower
The clogged fuel injector won’t feed the engine as it should which reduces the horsepower. This ultimately affects your car’s speed and ease of driving.
When you clean the fuel injector, you prevent any loss of horsepower which optimizes your car’s driving performance.
It’s safer for the environment
When you use these cleaners your car’s emissions will be according to inspection standards. The emissions are not harmful to the environment which contributes to a cleaner living space for people and animals
It helps your car perform as it should
If your engine is contaminated, it works overtime to receive the air and fuel flow it needs. When your engine is overworking itself it can break easier which leads to costly repairs.
It prevents fuel injector damage
A clogged fuel injector leads to damage and it affects its full functionality of it. Carbon deposits can get cooked onto the hot surface of the injector which can cause fast wear and tear. It can also create excess fuel delivery with every pulse.
Cleaning the fuel injector prevents severe wear and tear. It feeds the engine the accurate amount of gas or diesel to the engine which contributes to optimum performance.
How to use a fuel injector cleaner
Each brand of fuel injector cleaner has its own instructions on how to use it. Normally you can only use it if your fuel tank has enough gas or diesel to let the cleaner pass through. If it doesn’t have the right level then wait until you fill your tank again.
When you have the right amount you only need to add the fuel cleaner to the tank. It’ll clean the injector when you drive.
What removes the deposits from the injector?
The ingredients found in fuel injectors work together to remove any deposits from the injector. They consist of the following:
- Polyisobutylene: This acts as a detergent to remove sediments in the fuel line. It also prevents knocking and misfiring
- Polyisobutylene Amine: This helps remove any moisture in the fuel and the system
- Polyether Amine: This substance breaks down solidified deposits the polyisobutylene couldn’t remove. Polyether Amine is generally found in high-end fuel injector cleaners
The dirt is removed because the cleaner breaks up the deposits or other filth that clogs up the fuel system. The cleaner ensures all dirt is burned up with the rest of the fuel. They’re harmless when they burn up but if there is a lot, much smoke is produced.
Signs indicating you should use a fuel injector cleaner
If you experience the following, take it as a sign you need to clean your fuel injector:
- Engine stutter, hesitation, and stumbling
- Engine misfire. This is when the car jerks
- Performance loss
- Rough idling Engine stalling
- Uneven fuel burn or increased emissions
- Increase fuel consumption
FAQs
What causes the fuel additives buildup?
There are two main sources of this buildup which are carbon and ethanol. Carbon causes major concern since it indicates that fuel does not burn completely during combustion. Carbon buildup is the leftover fuel that then deposits, causing a buildup of deposits. It is also important to know that engines don’t burn 100% of their fuel, which is why it is common to find these deposits in fuel injection systems and exhaust systems.
Ethanol, on the other hand, isn’t that common since most brands use it as a filler to lower gasoline costs. People used it originally to reduce carbon monoxide emissions; however, this is not the case for modern cars.
Why does my fuel injection system stop working?
There are three main reasons why your direct injection system isn’t working. One, the system might be dirty or clogged; it is natural for the injector nozzles to get dirty due to the leftover carbons from the unburnt fuel. Another reason is that there might be a leak or crack in the injector. The final possibility is a mechanical failure; there are chances of normal wear and tear during the annual maintenance cycle that will cause the injection system to stop working.
What should I do if my fuel injection system stops working?
Once you ascertain that the system is not working, no fuel is getting delivered to the gasoline engines; therefore, all kinds of vehicles stop working. The best solution is to replace it with a new one.
What should I consider before buying a fuel injector cleaner?
If you are a DIY guy looking to keep your fuel injectors clean, you should first refer to the owner’s manual to consult if the manufacturer recommends a particular option. If there is no recommendation, the next step is to get one containing PEA. PEA is one of the strongest cleaning products available and does an exceptional job removing carbon and ethanol solid deposits. Furthermore, there are special high-mileage cleaners that some prefer.
Do I need to replace my fuel filter after getting a fuel injector cleaning service?
Not really, unless the mechanic or auto repair specialist recommends doing so. The rule of thumb is to ensure you replace your car’s filter every 2 years or 30,000 miles. However, modern diesel vehicles require a longer interval, and the best way to determine if it needs replacing is to conduct a fuel pressure test. This test gives insight into how much PSI the fuel pump generates at the fuel rail.
Conclusion
Using fuel injector cleaner is best for your car, and also prevents you from being stranded beside the road. Get proactive today and look after your car to the best of your ability.