To keep the car running smoothly, fuel must be delivered correctly. The injectors are in fact responsible for spraying it inside the engine. But, these are wearing parts which must be changed periodically at the risk of having certain more or less serious problems, hence the interest in knowing when to change fuel injectors.
How long do the injectors last?
Once the fuel is regulated and pressurized by the injection pump, it is sprayed into the engine using the injectors. These parts have significant strength allowing them to have a relatively long lifespan: around 150,000 to 250,000 kilometers on a diesel engine and 200,000 kilometers on average if it is a gasoline engine.
However, due to the high pressures they experience on a daily basis, the injectors can wear out prematurely. Other elements can also vary this lifespan: maintenance or cleaning of the injectors, the frequency of changing the fuel filter, the quality of the fuel, etc.
What are the signs you need to change an injector?
When your injectors are out of order, you may notice the following signs:
- A release of black smoke coming from the exhaust: this problem is caused by a combustion defect;
- A smell of fuel in the passenger compartment: a good part of the fuel has not been burned and is stagnating inside the engine;
- The presence of jerks and holes when accelerating: the injectors are clogged and you risk seeing engine misfires;
- A loss of engine power: with combustion problems, you will feel a loss of performance particularly during acceleration phases;
- High fuel consumption: because the injectors are no longer working properly, they will require more fuel than usual. The problem can also come from a fuel leak caused by broken or cracked injectors;
- A difficult start: you will have to try several times for the vehicle to start correctly. It may even happen that starting is completely impossible.
Important: in the event of an injector failure, it is recommended to change all the injectors at the same time or risk having to intervene again very soon
What is the maintenance to avoid premature changing of injectors?
The injectors are very insensitive to impurities. They must be properly maintained if you want to preserve their longevity. To do this, it is necessary to adopt certain good reflexes:
- Regular replacement of the fuel filter and compliance with oil change intervals: this helps avoid seizing or clogging of the injectors;
- Use quality fuel: this reduces engine clogging and allows you to benefit from better performance during your journeys;
- Descaling the engine: I advise you to ideally go to a professional so that he can clean the entire engine and exhaust system and remove all the carbon and impurities present. It is also possible to sometimes take a highway to clean the injectors;
- Avoid driving with an empty tank: otherwise, you risk causing corrosion of the fuel pump and injectors. So regularly check that the tank is half full;
- Cleaning the injectors at each annual service: this maintenance is particularly useful if you want your injectors to last the entire life of your car. In fact, cleaning kits are available to help you clean them. You can also put an additive in the fuel tank and drive for about 20 minutes at high revs to clean your injectors.
Injectors are very durable parts that can last a long time if properly maintained. Indeed, by adopting certain good practices such as regular cleaning, you can preserve their longevity. However, if they wear out prematurely, you must quickly go to a professional so that they can replace them before it is too late.