There are many talks online and offline about whether you should have your vehicle’s fuel injectors cleaned. For the record, yes, you should. Let’s talk about fuel injectors to have a better idea of what they do and why they require preventative maintenance, just like the other parts in your car, UV, or truck. Integrity Auto Repair is going to tell you everything you need to know about fuel injectors.
What the Fuel Injectors Do
Fuel injectors take the gasoline pumped from the tank and spray it into the engine using either a fixed or electrical aperture. The gas is sprayed in a fine mist that the fuel injectors shape into a cone. The mist is easier for the combustion engine to ignite and burn than a steady stream of gasoline, so all vehicles have fuel injectors. Combustion leaves carbon buildup in the fuel injectors’ apertures over time, and the clogged fuel injectors can no longer spray the fine mist needed to start and run the vehicle.
Fuel Injector Cleaning
Thankfully, the buildup in the fuel injectors is slowed down by modern-day gasoline. The gas you put in your car, truck, or crossover has additives in it to help keep the fuel injectors clean. You can also buy an OTC cleaner to use periodically. These things help increase the time between fuel-injector cleanings, but they should never negate the cleanings. Neither the detergents in gasoline or OTC fuel injector cleaners prevent all of the carbon buildups, and your fuel injectors could be partially clogged if you notice
- Decreased fuel economy
- Hard starts
- Pre-ignition pinging
- Poor engine performance
- Rough idling
- Throttle hesitation
You can avoid this by scheduling fuel injector cleanings per your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations. Generally, any vehicle built-in 2004 or after should have a fuel injection cleaning every 45,000 miles or three years. Automobiles older than that might need the fuel injectors cleaned more often for optimal engine performance. You’ll save money in the end with professional cleaning, as OTC cleaners must be used every 4,000 miles, and that cost adds up quickly.
Bring your vehicle into Integrity Auto Repair in Eugene, OR, for a fuel injection cleaning if it’s overdue. We’ll inspect the injectors, and if they look good, we’ll found out why your automobile isn’t performing like it normally does. You can set up an appointment to make your life easier by contacting us today.
