Fuel Injection Cleaning Service in Austin, TX
If you’ve recently noticed that your vehicle’s engine is responding sluggishly when accelerating, it may be time to schedule a fuel injection cleaning service. Clogged fuel injectors could be depriving your engine of the necessary fuel it needs to run at optimal performance.
As your engine runs from normal daily use, dirt, and debris can start to build on the fuel injectors. This is where a fuel system cleaning service comes in. Our ASE-certified mechanics have the tools, training, and specialized fuel system cleaning agents needed to professionally clean your dirty fuel injectors. We can properly clean out any built-up debris within the fuel injection system and sufficiently clean deposits off of the injectors.
Help restore your engine’s performance and maximize gas mileage with a fuel system cleaning service at our Austin auto repair shop.
Signs That You May Need a Fuel System Cleaning Service in Austin, TX
It’s not uncommon to wonder whether you really need a fuel injection cleaning service. But a properly functioning fuel injection system is essential if you’d like to drive a car or truck that runs well.
When it’s not operating as it should, a fuel injector can send too much fuel to your engine, which results in fuel waste. Alternatively, a clogged fuel injector can send too little fuel to the engine, which causes performance issues or prevents your engine from running altogether.
Some common warning signs of clogged fuel injectors in your vehicles fuel system include:
- Trouble starting the vehicle
- Rough idling
- Smoke coming from the exhaust pipe
- Diminished engine performance (hesitation upon accelerating, gas pedal sticking)
- Engine not reaching full RPM
- Increased fuel consumption
- Knocking sound in engine
- Failed emissions testing
If you’re experiencing any of the above, don’t wait to schedule an appointment at your nearest Lamb’s Tire & Automotive location. Our mechanics can accurately determine whether there are any fuel injector issues and perform the necessary fuel system cleaning or replacement services to keep your vehicle running at its best.
Why Your Fuel Injectors Need To Be Cleaned Periodically
Your vehicle’s fuel injectors do a great deal of work. But just like arteries in the human body can build up plaque and become blocked, as the fuel flows through the injectors over time, deposits and buildup will begin forming, reducing the power, performance, and fuel efficiency of your vehicle’s engine.
A dirty or clogged fuel injector cannot spray the proper amount of fuel needed into the combustion chamber. This can cause inefficiencies or combustion failures, such as engine misfires, a rough idle, or engine hesitation. In some cases, a clogged fuel system can also force the engine to work harder than it should, leading to costly damage (even in other parts of your engine) or even premature engine failure.
The level of precision fuel injectors must operate should be very high. So it’s critical that they can operate properly to enable your vehicle to run optimally. This is why periodic fuel injection cleaning service is so helpful in maintaining peak engine performance.
Our fuel injectioncleaning service can help improve both your engine performance and fuel mileage. Because the fuel pump, fuel injector, and fuel filter are all part of the overall system, we check each part to ensure the fuel is flowing freely. Remember, the fuel has a lot of opportunity to become dirty and contaminated between the gas pump and your vehicle’s fuel injectors.
Help Keep Your Engine Running At Its Best With Routine Fuel System Cleaning Service in Austin, TX
To put it simply, by routinely having all of the built-up carbon deposits removed and the fuel injectors thoroughly cleaned, your engine can run more smoothly and efficiently.
It’s recommended that you have a fuel injection cleaning service done every 45,000 to 90,000 miles, depending on the specific vehicle. Your vehicle’s owner’s manual will give you the exact manufacturer’s recommended service interval for the fuel system on your make/model.
The main benefits of fuel system cleaning are:
- Increased performance and engine life
- Improved fuel efficiency
- Money saved on fuel costs
- Reduced vehicle emissions
- Preservation of the long-term performance of your vehicle
Keep an Eye Out for Signs of Leaking Fuel Injectors
It’s important to note that clogs aren’t the only problem that can occur with fuel injectors. They can also develop leaks. Signs of a leaking injector include:
- Fuel odors around and inside the vehicle
- Increased consumption of fuel
- Difficulty starting the engine
- Poor idling
- Hydro lock
- Oil thinning
A leaking fuel injector can lead to catastrophic engine failure (especially when hydro lock or oil thinning occur). So it’s critical to have the fuel injection system inspected if you suspect a leak. Some of the above signs are similar to dirty injectors. But leaking fuel injectors cannot be repaired and must be replaced.
Your Local Austin Experts in Professional Fuel System Cleaning Service
A professional fuel injection cleaning service in Austin, TX here at Lamb’s Tire & Automotive can help keep your vehicle running its best for longer. Our fuel system cleaning includes:
- Cleaning built-up deposits from the fuel injectors
- Clearing deposit buildup from the intake valves
- Cleaning hard-to-remove buildup from the combustion chamber
- Clearing the air intake (including the intake manifold and throttle body)
The Importance of Leaving Fuel Injection Cleaning Service to a Professional
While it may be tempting to try and clean the fuel injectors yourself, a mistake could cause costly engine damage. Pouring a cheap bottle of fuel injector cleaner into your full gas tank usually won’t get you the results you really want. The best way to ensure your vehicle’s fuel injectors are as clean as new is to have a professional fuel injection cleaning service done by an ASE-certified mechanic like you’ll find here at Lamb’s Tire & Automotive.
Our auto service experts will use professional fuel system cleaning agents to properly remove the tough buildup from your fuel injectors and change the fuel filter if needed. One of the other benefits of a professional fuel system cleaning service is that it allows your mechanic to inspect your vehicle’s entire fuel system. Then, they can catch minor issues early before they turn into a need for more in-depth service, such as fuel pump repair.
How Fuel Injection Systems Work
After 1990, manufacturers started building vehicles with fuel injection systems instead of carburetors since fuel injectors offer much better efficiency and performance in delivering necessary fuel to the engine.
Carburetors only consider engine vacuum and throttle position and rely on an indirect method for determining when you initially start the engine. Meanwhile, fuel injection systems are computer controlled and take several factors into account, including:
- Air pressure
- Engine start
- Engine temperature
- Throttle position
- Engine RPM
- Air volume
- Vehicle speed
A system that considers all of these factors results in a vehicle that runs more efficiently, with better performance, and with fewer unwanted emissions.
So unless you have a 100% electric vehicle, you are relying on an internal combustion engine. That means your vehicle relies on a series of controlled detonations within the engine. The three necessary components for an internal combustion engine to run are fuel, spark, and air.
Regarding the fuel injectors themselves, in simple terms, they are valves that squirt the fuel into your engine that it needs to operate.
To break it down further, in a fuel injection-powered vehicle, when you press the gas pedal, the engine control unit calculates what the exact air-to-fuel ratio should be and sends this signal to the fuel injectors. In response, the fuel injectors send a high-pressure mist of fuel either to the port located just outside the cylinder or into the cylinder directly.
The fuel is then ignited by a spark from the spark plug, which powers the engine and enables the vehicle to move at the desired speed. The combustion happens rapidly and consistently whenever your engine is running. In fact, at 800 rpm, a typical four-cylinder engine will fire 1,600 times per minute.
A fuel injection cleaning service helps ensure your engine fires as it should and can improve your vehicle’s performance.
Schedule Your Fuel Injection Cleaning in Austin, TX Now
For professional fuel injection service in the Austin area and any other Austin auto repair service needs your vehicle may have, you can trust the ASE-certified technicians and award-winning service here at Lamb’s Tire & Automotive. Schedule your service appointment today!
Concierge Fuel System Cleaning Service
We understand how important it is that your vehicle runs properly. But we also know that bringing it in for service is not always convenient. Because of this, we offer convenient concierge service at no extra cost. We’ll pick your vehicle up from your location (within three miles of Lamb’s) and return it to you after your fuel system cleaning service is complete.
At Lamb’s Tire & Automotive, we value your peace of mind. That’s why we do everything in our power to eliminate uncertainties about your vehicle, make your life easier, and ensure you can count on your vehicle to get you to your destination. We hope our concierge service demonstrates that commitment to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally speaking, to keep your vehicle’s fuel injection system performing optimally, a fuel injection cleaning service is recommended roughly every 45,000 miles or three years, whichever comes first.
Of course, this varies depending on the specific vehicle. Vehicles that are 20 years old or more may need fuel system cleaning more often for the best engine performance.
Your vehicle’s owner’s manual is where you’ll find the exact manufacturer’s recommendation for the fuel injection service interval.
Several red flags indicate your vehicle probably needs a fuel injection cleaning service, including:
- An unexplained decrease in fuel efficiency: A dirty or clogged fuel injection system will most commonly cause a drop in the vehicle’s fuel efficiency. This is because when the fuel injectors can’t perform as they should, the system won’t deliver the proper amount of fuel to the engine.
- Poor engine performance: A constant input of fuel is needed for continuous fuel combustion to happen within an engine. And if a clog is present in your vehicle’s fuel injection system, the engine will not get the proper amount of fuel. This results in a lack of power when you accelerate.
- Stuttering or stalling: A vehicle’s engine will struggle to operate any time there is an issue with the fuel injection system. This can also sometimes mean engine stuttering or even stalling.
A few other warning signs that you car is in need of a fuel system cleaning include:
- Pre-ignition pinging noises
- Difficulty starting the engine
- Rough idling
- Throttle hesitation
Some of these symptoms are very similar to what a vehicle in need of fuel pump repair would be doing. But the first place to start is to have the fuel injectors checked. In many cases, a fuel injection service can solve the problem.
When your vehicle’s engine is turned off, a tiny amount of residue containing gasoline, tar, and varnish is always left on the injectors’ tips. The residue never fully burns off and continues to build up to the point that it starts to impede the flow of atomized fuel that comes from the tip of the injectors.
An excess buildup of residue will lead to a variety of issues that range in severity. Having a fuel system cleaning service done is the only way to resolve this issue and prevent further problems.
Of course, if one (or more) of your vehicle’s fuel injectors are broken or cracked, they should be replaced. But if your fuel injectors are not performing normally, don’t automatically assume they need replacing. They may simply be clogged with residue and debris. In many cases, they can be cleaned enough to bring them back to a proper performance level, saving you the costly expense of replacing one or more fuel injectors.
The most common problems that can come from clogged fuel injectors include a vehicle that struggles to accelerate, an engine stalling after you press the gas pedal, and poor fuel economy.
Most of these issues occur due to an inadequate fuel-to-air ratio. But it’s important to also know some of the other common fuel injector problems, including:
- Poor quality fuel: The main cause of fuel injectors becoming clogged and unable to perform optimally is low-quality fuel. If the oil has a high level of excess impurities or debris, those things can get stuck in your fuel injectors, making it harder for them to spray properly. This is especially true in areas that switch between winter and summer fuel.
- Heat soak: This phenomenon occurs when fuel evaporates inside the injectors’ nozzles after the engine is shut off. The residue that is left becomes waxy olefins that sit in the injection ports when the engine is idle and nothing is flowing through to wash them away. Eventually, the engine heat causes these leftover olefins to harden into thick, clogging deposits. Most gasoline has detergents that clean out these deposits before they can build up. But if you frequently drive short trips, it may not give your engine the opportunity to properly wash the olefins out. If this happens, your fuel injectors can clog and fail.
- Engine blow-by: “Blow-by” refers to the fuel and oil residue that blows past the pistons and into the crankshaft during compression. Usually, the vehicle’s PVC system should pull out the blow-by. But if the PCV system isn’t working properly or the air filter doesn’t catch it, that residue will end up clogging the fuel injectors.
- Solenoid failure: One role solenoids play is creating a magnetic field to pull up the pintle of the fuel injector. But if the injector solenoid has a short, it can cause the injector to fail.
- Leaking or broken fuel injector: In some cases, it’s simply that the fuel injector itself is leaking or has cracked. If the integrity of the fuel injector is jeopardized, it won’t be able to deliver the proper mix of fuel and air to the engine and will hinder performance.
Another possible fuel injector problem that doesn’t actually come directly from the injector is a bad engine control unit (ECU). The ECU is what runs your vehicle’s combustion system. If the ECU has a problem, it may not be able to properly tell the fuel injectors how to mix and deliver the fuel and air to the combustion chambers. So, it may cause bad performance even if the fuel injectors themselves are ok.
Usually, when idling, a vehicle will have a subtle rumble. But a bad fuel injector will often cause a much louder, rougher, and more unpleasant noise while the vehicle is idling. Clogged or bad fuel injectors will also often cause a metallic knocking/tapping sound in the engine. In some cases, the engine may even backfire when accelerating, which causes a loud popping sound.
