How to Improve MPG with Clean Fuel Injectors

Electronic fuel injection (EFI) systems are relatively trouble-free. However, that doesn’t make them immune from potential problems. The most common issue involves fuel deposits on injector tips. The reason? When an engine is turned off some fuel remains in the injectors. Hot engines cause fuel to evaporate, which can leave gum-like deposits that can change an injector’s ideal conical spray pattern to an irregular one, or even reduce fuel volume to the combustion chambers and cause drivability problems. Symptoms include excessive fuel usage as well as stalling, hesitating, hard starting, and loss of power.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Gasoline with detergent additives
• Fuel injector cleaner
• Fuel filter

How to Clean Fuel Injectors

1. If you suspect injector problems, try driving your vehicle aggressively for an extended period. This may seem counterintuitive if you’re trying to get better fuel economy, but it can often clean injector deposits and lead to better mileage in the long run.

2. Use a gasoline with additives to prevent deposits and clean up ones that may already have formed. If you suspect that dirty injectors are causing problems, try filling up with a different brand of gasoline from a major retailer. It may take a few fill-ups to clean up deposits before you see a difference.

3. 

   You might want to try a fuel injector cleaner sold at auto parts stores and gas stations, especially if you’re in the habit of buying off-brand gasolines that don’t contain the detergent additives of the major brands. This may help in older vehicles that have been driven on non-detergent gasoline for a long time.

4. Take your vehicle to a fuel injection expert if the previous steps don’t solve the problem. Technicians can use a specialized machine to clean injectors either on or off the engine. In some cases injectors may have to be replaced.

Tips & Warnings

• Replace the fuel filter annually. A clean filter won't prevent or cure injector problems, but it will prevent dirt and other debris from clogging up the fuel system.
• Combine errands and avoid short hops. Driving frequently for longer distances results in fewer opportunities for a hot engine to leave deposits.
• Since all brand-name gasolines now contain detergents, there is no benefit in using premium grade fuel if a vehicle doesn’t require it.

Resources

• Learn More to Improve MPH - GreenCar.com

[dukeking1]

on 10/17/2007 WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING TAP THE INJECTOR WITH A SMALL HAMMER....LIGHTLY. THIS WILL DISLODGE THE GUNK AND YOU CAN HEAR YOUR ENGINE PERK UP..........OR BUY A HORSE.