Common Fuel Injector Problems
In modern vehicles, fuel injectors work with the ECU and several sensors to ensure your engine is running at it's best. Fuel injectors are designed to work within very tight tolerances to ensure proper engine performance. If you'd like to learn more about fuel injectors and why the automotive industry moved to fuel injection, check out this recent blog post. Like any auto part, fuel injectors can wear out. They can also become partially clogged, which causes drivability problems. Read on to learn more about the symptoms of fuel injector problems
Common Symptoms Of Fuel Injector Issues
- Slow acceleration
- Engine stumbles or stalls
- Engine starts hard
- Engine misfires on certain cylinders
- Drop in fuel economy
If you notice any of these problems, fuel injectors are a possible cause. Fuel injector problems fall into three categories. These include improper fuel flow, electrical issues, and clogging. Below we'll cover some common reasons these issues can arise. If you'd like to look through our wide selection of fuel injectors for many different Nissan models, click here.
Improper Fuel Flow
Between the fuel tank and the injector, there is a filter, a low-pressure fuel pump located in the tank, and a high-pressure fuel pump under the hood. If any of these components have issues, the fuel injector won't get enough fuel to operate correctly. If the high-pressure pump malfunctions, many vehicles will throw a code to indicate the problem. Most vehicles do not throw a code to indicate a problem with the low-pressure pump or filter, so it must be evaluated in other ways.
Electrical Issues
Fuel injectors rely on a signal from the ECU to tell them when to spray fuel. A loose connection to the injector can disrupt the signal or prevent it from happening completely. If wiring within the injector fails, the injector won't operate. In both cases, the ECU typically provides a code indicating which injector has a problem. A check engine light on the dash may also illuminate.
Clogged Injectors
Image Credit: MotorTrend
A clogged injector is one of the most common issues with fuel injectors. Injector openings are very small, so clogging them doesn't take much. Fuel injectors can become clogged for a couple of different reasons:
- Debris from the tank makes it past the fuel filter and clogs the injector.
- More commonly, deposits from fuel build up in the injector over time.
Sometimes, clogged injectors can be cleaned by adding an additive to the fuel. Auto shops can also clean the injectors by injecting a solvent into the fuel line under the hood. However, if the injectors have a lot of mileage, it's usually best to replace them.
OEM Nissan Fuel Injectors
If you're looking for fuel injectors or any other parts for your Nissan, our team at Nissan Parts Plus is happy to help. As the online branch of a family-owned Nissan dealer in Massachusetts, our team knows Nissans, and we're happy to help you with any issue. You can contact us here, or order by phone at 1-888-370-4432.