The fuel injectors on your common rail diesel engine can be the cause of several issues including poor MPGs and sluggish performance. Injectors play a very important role in making sure you get optimal power while not using up unnecessary amounts of fuel.
But they aren’t made to last forever, and if if you notice any of the warning signs listed in this post, it may be time to change out those old injectors.
Knowing when to replace your fuel injectors is key. Not replacing them on time can lead to further problems down the road as well as higher operating costs now.
Here are the most common signs:
As previously mentioned, injectors play an important role in making sure your engine runs efficiently enough while not negatively affecting power.
Poor MPGs are one of the most common signs encountered by bad or worn-out fuel injectors. There are several reasons this may happen. The most common being clogged fuel injector heads due to not changing the fuel filter regularly or bad quality diesel.
It doesn’t matter what vehicle you drive. If you notice blue smoke coming from the exhaust, alarm bells should be going off in your mind straight away.
The most common cause of blue smoke is due to engine oil entering the combustion chamber. But it can also mean that the fuel injectors may have something to do with it. In either case, it is not an issue that will fix itself.
We love the smell of fresh diesel as much as the next guy, but this smell should be only encountered at the gas pump when filling up.
If you notice the smell of raw fuel frequently, it may be a good indication that your fuel injectors are leaking and will likely need to be replaced or rebuilt. Not doing so will only reduce fuel consumption and may pose a fire hazard.
Engine oil is designed to act as a lubricant and reduce the wear of metal on metal contact. Diesel engines work even harder when compared to traditional gasoline engines, therefore having the right viscosity or thickness becomes critical.
When introducing fuel in the oil, the lubrication properties of the engine oil get decreased and will also increase oil pressure at the same time. Worn out or damaged seals and O-rings on the injectors could be one of the culprits and should be replaced right away.
Engine misfires, unlike the other symptoms listed on here, can be easier to spot. Simply put, if the combustion process doesn’t occur within certain parameters, the fuel will not ignite when required.
Misfires are easy to diagnose but can be harder to find out what initially caused them. One of the most common reasons an engine misfires can be directly attributed to faulty fuel injectors.
Much like misfires, engine knocking has similar symptoms. But, unlike a misfire, knocking occurs when the fuel in the cylinder combusts before or after it is supposed to. You may also hear people referring to knocking as detonation or pre-detonation.
Worn-out fuel injectors may also be the course of this issue. If the injectors do not deliver the right amount of fuel at the exact moment needed, the result may be an engine knock.
There are several things you can do if you think your common rail fuel injectors are not working as they should.
If any of the above symptoms are occurring, the first step is to have your vehicle scanned and see if any error codes related to faulty fuel injectors come up. It can be done with a common OBD2 scanner by anyone, but for more in-depth information we recommend taking it into a shop.
Once the injector/s is determined to be the problem, the next step is to have them sent into a certified facility that will perform specific tests and determine what can be done, if anything, to repair them.
Unfortunately, in some cases, original injectors cannot be salvaged and must be replaced. That is why they should be properly diagnosed before deciding to replace them in the first place.
Even if you do not think the injectors are faulty, but you hear an engine knock, it should be cause for concern. Having the problem professionally diagnosed can tell you with certainty if your fuel injectors need to be replaced.
Putting the problem off will only make things worse and could potentially cause more damage in the long run.
If you find that you need new injectors, Highway & Heavy Parts is here to help! We have a great selection of replacement injectors for your diesel engine.
Our on-staff ASE Certified Technicians can help make sure you’re getting the right injectors. Having your VIN on hand can help make sure you get the right parts.
Our technicians are some of the best in the business and ready to answer any questions you may have. Give us a call today at 844-304-7688 or request a quote online now.
