* Heat Soak: When the engine runs out of fuel, it stops lubricating the fuel injectors. The injectors still cycle, attempting to deliver fuel. This constant cycling without fuel causes them to overheat. This "heat soak" can degrade the injector seals and the injector itself over time, leading to reduced performance, leaks, or eventual failure.
* Increased Wear: The constant, unproductive cycling increases the mechanical wear on the injector components, accelerating their wear and tear.
* Contamination: In some cases, residual fuel in the lines may become contaminated as it sits stagnant. When the car is refueled, this contaminated fuel can then flow through the injectors, potentially causing problems.
It's important to note that the damage isn't instantaneous. Running out of gas once likely won't cause immediate catastrophic failure of the injectors. However, repeated occurrences or prolonged running with the engine low on fuel significantly increase the risk of injector problems developing later. The severity depends on factors like the type of injector, the length of time the engine was run dry, and the ambient temperature.
