The guy at the gas station, or sometimes even the mechanic, suggests you use a fuel injector cleaner to clean out the dirt in the injectors. The professionals even suggest you do this regularly to keep the dirt out.
However, this explanation isn’t exactly accurate because fuel injectors (or a carburetor in older cars) don’t really get dirt in them. What typically happens is that the injectors (or carburetor) gets a fuel varnish deposits build up, and this varnish comes from ingredients used to make fuel.
So tiny deposits of this varnish builds up in the small spray nozzles of the fuel injectors or the spray nozzle of the carburetor. This buildup stops up the sprayers and prevents the even flow of fuel into the engine.
As a result, your car begins to run lean on fuel ( less fuel, more air) causing a misfire, hesitation or a stall. ( Keep in mind that ethanol in gasoline can also cause these deposits and clogged fuel problems.)
What Are Fuel Injectors and Carburetors
These are two engine components that spray fuel into the engine manifold and make the car drivable and easy to start.
Newer cars use fuel injectors and old cars use carburetors. Fuel injectors have spray nozzles and spray fuel into the manifold, while carburetors have a streaming jet.
The carburetor in an older car, sits on top of the manifold and uses jets to spray thin streams of gasoline into the intake manifold.
At any rate, issues can occur in either system when there is a buildup of fuel varnish deposits. it’s sort of like trying to spray paint through a clogged spray nozzle. Combustion requires a fine mist of fuel vapor and that requires a nozzles to be completely clean.
Without a fuel injector cleaner, or in the case of a carburetor, a good cleaning and regular maintenance, you will have bad spray patterns that cause fuel evaporation and a poor Burn by the engine.
Cleaning Injectors and Carburetors
The carburetor or fuel injectors need regular maintenance. Fuel filters need to be changed and you need to use gasoline with the proper octane rating for your car.
An additional option is to use quality fuel additives to prevent that buildup. Kind of like cleaning your house regularly.
Fuel Carburetor Cleaner is concentrated cleaner that you can add to fuel. As the fuel is injected into the manifold, so the cleaner passes through the sprayers and and loosens the varnish deposits. The deposits are then burned up in the engine combustion. This is what gives you a notable smoothing of the engine and an increased fuel savings.
These types of cleaners are safe to use on every refueling stop. They are also recommended when your car feels sluggish or doesn’t have the response it once did.
Bottom Line
Using a fuel injection cleaner regularly can also help prevent fuel injection problems and prolong the longevity of your fuel injectors and engine. As with everything, when you keep it clean you make it more efficient, and long lasting. That’s why we recommend using fuel injection cleaners regularly.
Using a fuel injection cleaner is very simple. Just purchase a good fuel injection cleaning product at a local car part or grocery store. You can even find these cleaners at the local gas refueling store. Add one container to the gas tank every time you fill up the tank. This will keep the injectors running smoothly and efficiently.
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