Symptoms of a Bad Fuel Injector

Diagnosing engine problems yourself can be difficult, especially since many problems such as poor engine power, increased fuel consumption and higher emissions can have many causes. In some cases, however, a dirty or faulty fuel injector is to blame. (We know, we talk to customers with this issue every week.)

Modern cars use high-pressure fuel injectors that spray a fine mist of fuel for improved combustion. Even a small amount of carbon buildup or gunk in the injector nozzle can affect this spray and cause engine misfires, pre-ignition and other drivability issues. There are a few ways to diagnose a bad fuel injector that you can try at home, though, before you go to the hassle and expense of visiting a mechanic.

Things to Try at Home

One easy way to determine if your fuel injectors are working properly is to listen to their actuation. Use a long screwdriver to check each injector one at a time, with the engine running. Place the tip of the screwdriver on the top of the injector and place your ear on the handle. You should hear steady, consistent clicking as the injector cycles, indicating proper function. No noise, intermittent clicking, or a difference with other cylinders likely means you have a bad fuel injector that needs to be cleaned, repaired or replaced.

You can also check the resistance reading with a simple voltmeter. Disconnect the electrical connection of one injector at a time — with the engine off — and take a resistance reading across each set of terminals. You can check a service guide or online source for the required resistance — typically between 10 and 18 ohms for automotive fuel injectors. An out-of-range reading means your fuel injector is bad and needs to be serviced.

The Rislone Solution

If you don’t detect any major malfunctions, it might just be that your injectors are dirty. That’s where Rislone comes in. Start by locating a store nearby that sells our products with our handy online locator. Then purchase a bottle of Gasoline Fuel System Treatment or Diesel Fuel System Treatment, depending on your fuel type. Simply pour it into your tank, top off with fuel and let your engine do the work. Our advanced formulation will give you a noticeable difference almost right away.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about our products or to discuss if you might be having issues with your fuel system. With nearly a century of experience, we are confident we can take care of your dirty fuel system quickly and affordably. Also, our tech team is staffed by real humans, located just an hour outside of Detroit, aka The Motor City. This means no crazy phone menus or off-shore support desk frustrations.