A failed injector diagnosis can be a costly experience and may lead many vehicle owners to completely replace the injectors. Fortunately, there are a few solutions that can help you fix common diesel injector problems instead of replacing the injector entirely. Check out our guide below to learn more about injectors, common causes failed injectors and how you can address them.
How Do Injectors Work?
The right fuel-to-air ratio is essential for the engine to run efficiently and smoothly, and this is where injectors come in handy. A fuel injector is responsible for receiving and spraying gasoline or diesel into the engine. They can help with optimizing the fuel and regulate the timing of fuel injection into the engine. Usually, there is one fuel injector in each cylinder.
Since the introduction of the 7.3L Ford Powerstroke in 1994, injectors have been commonly relying on oil pressure to fire the piston via the HEUI fuel system. The design of some HEUI injectors incorporates oil to pressurize the fuel and lubricate other areas such as the piston, o-rings and the springs. This high-pressured process exposes the oil to a high temperature, which pulls excess oil into the injector. When the excess oil breaks down, it leaves a sticky residue inside the injector known as stiction.
Sometimes a clogged or faulty injector can cause the engine to misfire because a cylinder isn’t receiving the fuel it needs to run properly. This issue could cause the “check engine” light to turn on.
Common Causes of Failed Injectors
There are a couple of reasons that you might see a failed injector diagnosis from your engine. Here are a few common causes that could be behind your Powerstroke injector problems:
- Stiction: The gummy residue known as stiction is commonly the culprit in failed injectors. This residue can hinder the injector’s ability to deliver the fuel to the engine efficiently. This issue is especially common in many Ford diesel Powerstroke models and could likely be the cause of your Ford injector problems.
- Debris: Sometimes dirt, rust and other types of debris can find their way through your fuel system into your injectors. Debris can often clog the nozzle or cause the nozzle to get stuck.
- Poor fuel quality: Another common cause of injector failure is using low-quality fuel. If your choice of fuel has too many impurities or debris, they can reach your fuel injector and clog it.
- Engine blow-by: Engine blow-by is oil and fuel residue that blows by the pistons and into the crankshaft. If the PVC system or air filter doesn’t capture it, this residue could reach your fuel injectors causing stiction.
By knowing some of the common causes of diesel injector problems, you can begin troubleshooting these issues to restore your injectors and increase their longevity for your vehicle.
How to Restore Clogged Injectors
Many mechanics may recommend replacing the injectors after the failure code is triggered. This is where the “failed” injector myth comes into play. The elements of an injector are well crafted and can perform for the life of the engine. There are several causes, such as stiction, debris or engine blow-by, that could be responsible.
If you notice slow starting or accelerating, a drop in your MPG or any bucking or chugging, especially on cold mornings from the engine, it’s likely that stiction is the culprit. If your diesel hesitates to accelerate or has been losing power, then you could be experiencing stiction within your engine. Fortunately, there are a few things you can try to remove stiction and restore your injectors for peak vehicle performance.
While many drivers choose fuel additives to improve performance, the stiction that is causing an injector failure requires a specific, high-concentrate oil additive that can remove the stiction and restore injectors back to their factory performance. Stiction Eliminator is a high-quality, effective oil treatment for both diesel and gasoline engines. It’s the perfect solution for removing stiction and could help get your fuel injectors back on the right track. It can also help improve your fuel economy and reduce wear to the engine by up to 62% more than standard engine oil alone. And with its money-back guarantee, it’s a no-brainer why this product is so popular with owners of Powerstroke, Duramax and Cummins diesel engines.
Restore Fuel Injectors With Hot Shot’s Secret
Completely replacing fuel injectors can be a tricky and expensive feat. That’s why we’ve developed high-quality solutions to help you restore your fuel injectors instead of replacing them. With our dedicated team of experts on hand and our money-back guarantee, we can help resolve your fuel injector problems and help you save money in the long run. It’s a win-win situation.
Purchase stiction eliminator today or shop our range products to help get your fuel injectors back to their prime condition. Do you have any questions? Get in touch with our experts, who would be happy to help.