Can Fuel Injector Cleaner Cause Problems?

A fuel injection system is responsible for delivering fuel into the engine to mix it with air. It then allows internal combustion to occur and power your engine, which, in turn, runs the car.

However, some fuel injectors get dirty over time, especially when they are not maintained properly. That’s why you should always look for the best fuel injector cleaners for your car.

Some people are pretty hesitant to use this because they believe it can cause problems to the engine. Is that really the case? Well, that depends.

Engine Maintenance

How a Fuel Injector Cleaner Damages Your Car

A fuel injector cleaner is one of the most important fuel additives you need to maintain your car’s performance. The problem is, improper use of it can ruin your car’s inner workings. Here are some possible negative side effects of fuel injector cleaners.

Clogs

Fuel injector cleaners should remove clogs in the first place. So, how is it possible that they also cause it? The problem with some fuel injector cleaners is that they’re not strong enough to dissolve clogs in the injection system.

On the other hand, some people use an injector cleaner with the wrong formula, which means it’s incompatible with their car. Because of this, the fuel injector cleaner will only loosen up the clogs.

These gunk, buildup, and carbon deposit are then delivered throughout the entire fuel system. When this happens, it’s only a matter of time before the carbon deposits clog another part of the engine.

Damaged Fuel Pump

Not all fuel injector cleaners are the same. Some are powerful, while others aren’t. In some cases, the injector cleaner contains corrosive agents. These chemicals will eventually damage the fuel pump or tank lining. When this happens, you will notice leaks or reduced performance from your car.

Sensor Damage

Your car’s engine contains multiple sensors that monitor oxygen intake, fuel efficiency, and lots of other functions. This O2 sensor is sensitive to strong chemicals often found in fuel injector cleaners. Because of this, the sensor may malfunction when continuously exposed to certain additives.

After a while, you will notice that the Check Engine light on your dashboard is on. Some cars will also exude black smoke from the exhaust and reduce the engine’s overall fuel efficiency.

Excessive Vibration

Fuel injector cleaners can damage the fuel injection system itself. This prevents one or a few of the cylinders from receiving fuel. When this happens, the cylinder will still try to finish a cycle, even if it didn’t receive fuel. However, it will not produce internal combustion, so the car’s engine will vibrate excessively.

How to Properly Use a Fuel Injector Cleaner

Almost all fuel injector cleaners are beneficial. It’s just a matter of whether or not it’s beneficial or compatible with your car. That’s why you need to find the right fuel injector cleaner if you want to keep your car’s engine in good health.

For expert legal advice on dealing with vehicle defects and recalls, consider consulting a San Diego Lemon Law Attorney who can provide you with the guidance you need.

Engine Type

The first and most important thing you need to do is determine your engine type. Generally, there’s an engine that runs on petrol and another that runs on diesel. You need to ensure that the fuel injector cleaner you use is meant for your car’s engine type. Otherwise, you will face major performance issues with your car.

Most injector cleaners used on diesel engines have very strong chemicals. These allow them to loosen and dissolve carbon deposits in the engine. However, when you use them in petrol engines, the powerful additives and cleaning agents will most likely damage the engine.

Appropriate Amount

The next thing you need to do is determine how much fuel injector cleaner your car needs. Using too little may produce unsatisfying results, while using too much may cause engine damage.

As a general rule of thumb, you need an ounce of fuel injector cleaner for every gallon of your car’s gas tank capacity. So, if your car can hold up to 10 gallons of gas, you need 10 ounces of fuel injector cleaner.

PEA

If you find yourself looking for a quality fuel injector cleaner, you will want to check whether or not it contains PEA or polyetheramine. More often than not, fuel injector cleaners with this ingredient will rapidly and efficiently clean the fuel injection system. They are also capable of dissolving carbon deposits, improving your engine’s overall performance.

Get a Reliable Cleaner

Fuel injection systems can significantly enhance your car’s power. However, they are also prone to a few major issues, especially when they get dirty.

The problem with that is they are pretty tricky to clean manually. Hence, it is important that you use a reliable fuel injector cleaner. Just make sure that the one you’re using is compatible and works well with your car’s engine. Otherwise, it might do you more harm than good.

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