Bad fuel injectors can cause various symptoms that affect your vehicle’s performance. Common signs include:
- Engine Misfire: If one or more fuel injectors are clogged or malfunctioning, the engine may misfire, leading to rough idling, hesitation during acceleration, or stalling.
- Poor Acceleration: A bad injector can disrupt the fuel flow, resulting in sluggish or delayed acceleration when you press the gas pedal.
- Rough Idling: If a fuel injector isn’t delivering the right amount of fuel, the engine may idle roughly, causing vibrations or shaking when the car is stopped.
- Increased Fuel Consumption: A faulty injector can cause excessive fuel flow, leading to higher-than-normal fuel consumption, reducing the car’s fuel efficiency (lower miles per gallon).
- Check Engine Light: A malfunctioning fuel injector can trigger the check engine light. A diagnostic tool may show error codes related to the fuel injectors, such as P0201 (injector circuit issues).
- Fuel Smell: Leaking or stuck fuel injectors can cause an odor of gasoline around the engine, which could indicate a problem with the injector.
- Engine Stalling: A bad injector can cause the engine to stall, especially when idling or at low speeds, as it disrupts the fuel supply.
- Black Smoke from Exhaust: If the injector is leaking or stuck open, it can lead to excessive fuel being injected into the engine, resulting in black smoke coming from the exhaust.
- Hard Starting: If an injector is clogged or not delivering enough fuel, it may be difficult to start the engine, especially after the vehicle has been sitting for a while.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s recommended to have your injectors inspected and serviced or replaced by a professional.