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Signs My Vehicle’s Fuel Injectors Need Service

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Today’s automobiles use fuel injectors instead of carburetors to get the gasoline or diesel fuel into the cylinders. Padron Automotive recommends you have your fuel injectors professionally cleaned every 30,000 miles. The reason why is simple: carbon buildup. When your engine fires up and burns the air and gasoline in the cylinders, it deposits carbon onto the fuel injectors. Eventually, this carbon can clog the injectors and cause the following problems.

Your Engine Keeps Misfiring

When the fuel injectors have too much carbon buildup, your engine will misfire because it is not getting a steady stream of fuel. You will feel and hear your engine stuttering from the moment you turn on your automobile until you turn it off. You may also find that your acceleration will lag when you press down on the accelerator. This problem will get worse as you pick up speed.

The Idling Is Rough and Unpredictable

Your idling will also be rough and unpredictable if you have carbon deposits on your fuel injectors. Again, this is because the engine is not getting a steady stream of fuel. There are over-the-counter fuel injector cleaners, but a professional cleaning does a much better job of removing all of the carbon deposits. This will restore smoothness and predictability to your vehicle’s idle.

Your RPMs Are Also Unpredictable

Another thing that can happen is your RPMs will be unpredictable. Every time the cylinders get an influx of fuel, the revolutions-per-minute will rise. Fuel injectors that have carbon buildup spray the fuel into the cylinders sporadically, and, as a consequence, this creates sporadic RPMs. Unfortunately, the RPMs will not level out until such time as you get the injectors professionally cleaned.

You Aren’t Getting Good Gas Mileage

Aside from clogs, old fuel injectors can also start to leak. When this happens, you end up with excess fuel in the engine that is burned away. Unfortunately, you will notice that your gas mileage is not what it used to be, and you will find yourself at the service station filling up more often. This can be stressful for those on a tight budget who need to get as many miles out of a full tank as they can.

You Cannot Start Your Automobile

Finally, fuel injectors that are completely clogged will prevent your automobile from starting. The reason why is simple: There is no fuel in the cylinders. If your fuel injectors are leaking severely, this, too, can prevent your automobile from starting if it is flooded with gasoline or diesel fuel.

Call Padron Automotive in Topeka, KS, to schedule an appointment for a fuel injector cleaning if you are experiencing any of the problems listed above.

Photo by KCHANDE from Getty Images via Canva Pro