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Fuel injectors are components of the fuel delivery system in a gasoline or diesel engine that atomize the pressurized fuel and spray it into the engine's combustion chamber where it's mixed with air for combustion. The fuel injectors are responsible for controlling the amount of fuel that enters the engine and the timing of its delivery. Modern vehicle systems typically also meter the amount of fuel delivered through the fuel injectors with the help of the vehicle's electronic control module (ECM).
Fuel injectors replaced carburetors as the primary components of fuel delivery, and nearly all modern cars since the 1980s are equipped with fuel injection systems because they provide more precise control over the timing and the amount of fuel injected into the engine. Fuel injection systems are one of the main catalysts for improved performance and fuel efficiency in modern vehicles.
Engines will typically have one fuel injector per cylinder, and in most cases, failure will only affect one injector at a time. Injectors are electronic components and can also suffer from electrical or computer-related issues, clogging due to debris in the fuel, or other factors which may affect the fuel delivery of more than one injector. An engine experiencing rough idle, starting issues, stalling, misfiring, or increased fuel consumption may have a bad injector. Injector seals and O-rings can also fail, causing fuel leaks near the top of your engine. If your vehicle is displaying a Check Engine light, visit your local O'Reilly Auto Parts for free Check Engine light testing, and our parts professionals can help you determine if your fuel injectors may be the source of the problem.
Other symptoms of a failing fuel injectors include:
The easiest way to clean clogged or obstructed fuel injectors is to use a fuel injector cleaner product. These types of fuel system cleaners are also known as fuel detergents, and help disperse any fuel contaminants and deposits that may have built up in your fuel injectors. Most fuel injector cleaning products can simply be added to a full tank of fuel when you fill up your vehicle, and the dispersed contaminants will be burned in the cylinder during combustion. For heavy-duty fuel injector cleaning, a fuel injector cleaning kit offers a complete solution, but may require disassembly and specialized tools.
If you'd like more information on fuel injector cleaners and a complete list of thebest fuel additives, check out our How-To Hub to learn more.
Over time, carbon deposits and fuel contaminants can build up in the fuel injectors which may cause clogged ports or irregular spray patterns. If cleaning your fuel injectors does not resolve your issue, or you need to replace your fuel injectors, O'Reilly Auto Parts carries a variety of fuel injector replacements for most vehicles, and many from OE supplier brands. Shop our selection to find the best fuel injectors for your repair, or stop by your local O'Reilly Auto Parts, and our parts professionals can help you find what you need to get you back on the road.