Your fuel injector is responsible for delivering precisely the right amount of gas for the amount of oxygen in the cylinder. This process is guided by your vehicle’s ECM, and if the injector is malfunctioning or even simply old enough to be worn out, then you do not get the exact amount of fuel the ECM requests on time. That’s why fuel injectors are designed to be replaced on older vehicles. Simply replacing a few parts that wear out with time is often enough to rejuvenate an older vehicle and put years back on its life. Sometimes, the difference is even decades.
When Do Manufacturers Recommend Replacement?
OEM fuel injectors are supposed to be replaced somewhere between every 50,000 and every 100,000 miles. The exact number varies from one vehicle model to another, so you should consult your owner’s manual if you have any questions. That manual should also tell you if there are other parts that should be replaced on a similar timeframe.
Often, the timing belt and a few other engine components also come due around the time you need new fuel injectors, simply because they all have about the same lifespan. Aftermarket fuel injectors may last longer or they may need to be replaced sooner because they lose precision, a lot depends on the specific build of the part.
Signs of Malfunction in Fuel Injectors
It is not common, but sometimes fuel injectors malfunction before they are due for replacement. You might also see malfunctions if you do not replace them on time and they break in place. Either way, there are a few common symptoms when it happens.
- The check engine light comes on
- Engine misfires become nearly continuous
- Fuel injectors start leaking fuel around the areas where they are mounted
- Fuel efficiency drops dramatically
- Fuel smells linger around the vehicle, but there is no sign of leakage from the fuel line itself
The more of these signs you see, the more likely it is you need to replace your fuel injectors right away. In extreme cases, the malfunctions caused by faulty injectors can lead to early wear on other parts. If you are interested in upgrading your performance beyond the manufacturer’s specifications, consider options like Holley Eve6 injectors that are designed to provide even more power and precision than the originals.
Not Using Fuel Injection?
Not every performance vehicle relies on fuel injection. Some classic cars can only use it if they are retrofit in ways that are unfaithful to their original design. Other times, it is an issue of specific kinds of performance. For example, some off-road vehicles rely on carburetors instead due to other considerations about durability and environmental hazards in the field.When that’s the case, you’ll find carburetors for sale that bring the same kinds of updated materials and designs you see in cutting edge fuel injectors. It might be true that a carburetor can never provide quite the same precision power as an injector, but maximizing its design still delivers a lot of improvement over the stock power profile.
