If your car does not seem to be generating as much power as it has in the past, you may be wondering what could be wrong with it. With one possible explanation being a blown head gasket, you may have already checked to make sure that the oil is clean and does not resemble a chocolate milkshake, indicating a mixture of oil and coolant.
After ruling out that possibility, another problem could be that the engine is not getting enough fuel because the spray nozzle on the fuel injector is bad. Below are a couple of signs for which to look when trying to determine whether or not this is the case.
1. Your Car Feels Rough and/or Stalls While Idling
One sign that the nozzle on the fuel injector is bad and needs to be replaced is when your car feels rough when you are sitting still while the engine is running. This rough idling is caused by the inconsistent supply of fuel through the nozzle.
If the nozzle is clogged or bent, the supply of fuel will be greatly reduced and inconsistent. If the demand for fuel is not immediately met and there is a long pause in the supply, the car's engine may even stall while you are idling.
2. Your Car's Engine Misfires When You Take Off
Along with rough idling and stalling, another indicator that the injector's nozzle is bad can be experienced when you take off from a dead stop. Because the sudden increase in the demand for fuel is not met, the engine may cause the ignition of the fumes instead of the gas.
When this happens, the small explosion will create a pause in the engine's ability to run, followed by a sudden burst of speed when fuel does reach the combustion chamber. You may feel the car pause then lurch forward when the fuel finally reaches the engine and combusts.
If your car has started to idle rough, periodically stalls while sitting at a stoplight, and experiences engine misfiring when taking off, it is most likely not getting enough fuel because of a clogged or corroded injection nozzle. While you could clean the nozzle, you may end up contaminating the fuel, so it would be better to replace it. Contact an auto parts store near you that offers products like fuel injection system parts to find a spray nozzle that will fit your car's system.
