The content of the article:
- Causes and stages of injector clogging
- Methods for cleaning the injector
- Flushing features
- Should I go to the service station
Over time, injection-injection engines have completely replaced carburetor engines - they are more powerful, economical and not too whimsical to operate.
However, injectors have to be periodically cleaned from carbon deposits and mechanical impurities that appear when using low-quality fuel. Let's talk about this in more detail.
Causes and stages of injector clogging
An important role in the operation of an injection engine is played by injectors - devices designed to spray fuel into the engine cylinders. Since the fuel we use is poor, carbon deposits can form on the injectors over time. Also, the nozzles themselves can become clogged with mineral impurities that are present in low-quality fuel.
As a result, the engine power is reduced, since the fuel is not supplied in full. Unstable operation of the motor in idle mode is also observed, and problems with starting are possible.
It is customary to distinguish three stages of nozzle clogging, each of which has its own characteristics:
- Minor clogging stage. The efficiency of the injectors is reduced by only 5%, and therefore it is extremely difficult to notice any malfunctions. Yes, fuel consumption increases a little, but no more "symptoms" are observed.
- Middle stage of clogging. The performance can drop by up to 15%. Fuel consumption is already increasing significantly, engine power drops, which leads to problems during acceleration and when idling. Exhaust fumes have a pungent and pungent odor.
- Severe clogging stage. The performance can be reduced by up to 50%. Power decreases, the engine may jerk, and loud popping is possible after pressing the accelerator pedal.
Do not delay the clogging until the last stage, since the problem can be detected even at the middle one.
Methods for cleaning the injector
It is customary to distinguish two ways to clean the injector:
- ultrasound;
- the use of special fluids for flushing.
Ultrasonic cleaning is used on special devices and requires the installation of an injector. Flushing fluids do not require removing the injector from the car engine. In addition, this method easily removes deposits from the valves and cleans the walls of the combustion chamber from carbon deposits.
There are two types of flushing fluids, depending on the degree of their action:
- direct cleaners are made in the form of a spray and sprayed onto the nozzles themselves;
- additives are added directly to the vehicle tank, where they are mixed with gasoline and clean the injectors while the engine is running.
The following liquids are considered to be the most common:
- Vince. It is the most popular and recognizable remedy. The liquid easily gets rid of carbon deposits, cleaning not only the nozzles, but also the walls of the combustion chamber. It is a potent substance, therefore, when using it, it is important not to be mistaken with the amount. Vince has a negative effect on spark plugs, so it is not recommended to use it when flushing the injectors of new cars.
- Laurel. Domestic analogue of the previous liquid. It is also considered to be powerful, therefore it perfectly cleans the nozzles from heavy metal deposits. Laurel is expensive, so it is not very popular. However, service station workers usually wash the nozzles with this particular composition.
- Liqui Moly. A popular substance that has a milder effect. It is unlikely to cope with deposits of heavy metals and impurities, but it flushes the nozzles with a bang. The liquid does not have an aggressive effect on spark plugs, so it can be used on any car.
- Hi-Gear Injector Cleaner. Like the previous liquid, it also does not differ in excessive aggressiveness. It cleans the fuel well from impurities, increasing the engine power and cleaning the injectors. It can also be used on machines from any manufacturer.
Flushing features
The main tasks of flushing fluids are to clean the injector elements from contamination, reduce fuel consumption and ensure its complete combustion. Therefore, when choosing a flushing fluid, it is advisable to consult with a specialist in this field.
Do not forget about the aggressive effects of potent substances like laurel, which can lead to early wear of rubber and plastic parts.
Also when selecting liquids, it is advisable to pay attention to its viscosity - it is not recommended to fill in gasoline and liquid of different viscosities.
It is not worth saving when choosing a flushing fluid. A high-quality composition not only cleans from impurities, but also removes all impurities by burning them. Cheap fast-acting fluids only peel off deposits, which do not disappear anywhere, but settle on the catalyst. In addition, these delamination can damage the control unit sensors and destroy the spark plugs.
Should I go to the service station
Many car enthusiasts are sure that it is not necessary to seek help from a service station to flush the injection system. Cleaning is easy to do on your own, and you don't have to spend extra money on expensive work.
However, self-flushing has some nuances:
- there is a possibility of picking up the wrong flushing fluid;
- if you do not carry out work according to the instructions, you can damage the engine;
- there is no guarantee for the work performed.
If there are any doubts about flushing the injection system or you are simply afraid to carry out it yourself, you can always turn to specialists for help. The work will be done quickly and efficiently. In addition, you will receive a guarantee that in a few weeks you will not have to clean the elements of the injection system again.
Care should be taken when choosing a flushing fluid. Run engine diagnostics to determine the specific stage of clogging the injectors are in. And already on the basis of the data obtained, choose a cleaning agent. In some cases, you will need a potent Vince or Laurel, and in some cases, Liqui Moly will be enough.
