In modern cars, fuel injectors have taken the place of old-fashioned carburettors. Their job is to deliver high-pressure bursts of fuel into the engine so that combustion can take place. Smooth, regular, and carefully regulated fuel injection performance ensures that your vehicle runs properly, with combustion taking place at exactly the right time.
However, like any part of an engine, they require maintenance and cleaning to keep them running efficiently. If they are not cleaned regularly, eventually injectors can become blocked. This will prevent fuel from getting into the cylinder, which means that the essential ‘bang’ part of the process simply doesn’t happen. When that’s the case, your vehicle can break down.
To prevent this from happening, an injector cleaner can be used as part of a regular maintenance process to keep the injectors free of any impurities and debris from the fuel.
Fuel injector cleaners are powerful solvents designed to dissolve and clear blockages in the injectors and throughout the fuel system. Once they’ve done their work and are flushed through, the injectors should work efficiently once again, delivering the correct amount of pressurised fuel into the engine’s cylinders for efficient detonation.
The most serious issue that can lead to blocked injectors is a build-up of carbon. Even the most efficient engine cannot achieve 100% efficiency, so a certain amount of unburnt fuel is always present within an engine. This fuel is carbon-based and unburnt fuel can contain carbon particles that block the injectors and clog the fuel system.
Other particulates come from mineral additives that remain in the engine oil from the refining process. Over time, these build up and accumulate around the injectors, leading to blockages if they are not regularly removed.
One of the biggest culprits for blocked fuel injectors in older vehicles is ethanol. Initially added to fuel to cut the amount of greenhouse gasses and emissions, it is now widely added in varying amounts to fuel to cut costs. Modern cars no longer need ethanol to keep within regulated emissions standards and are usually perfectly capable of running on fuel with higher ethanol amounts. Eventually, though, even modern cars may see a build-up of unprocessed oxides which can eventually block the fine holes in the injectors.
Fuel injector cleaners are specifically designed to break down these particulates and flush them out of the system. This ensures the injectors can work at maximum efficiency, and that other parts of the fuel system are not blocked.
At Al-Futtaim Lexus, one of our popular service products is an Engine Flush. This is a process that removes all the deposits from the engine’s internal workings. A chemical additive is introduced into your engine oil, and the engine is turned on. The oil containing the additive is circulated around the engine as it runs. The engine is then turned off, and the old oil, additive, and all the dirt and particulates that have accumulated within the engine are drained out. Fresh oil is put in, injector cleaner is used to remove any particulates around the injectors and fuel system, and the vehicle is once again running efficiently and smoothly.
An engine flush should be carried out every 30,000km. However, if you notice black flecks or contaminants on the oil dipstick, it may indicate that there is a build-up of carbon within the engine. To prevent any damage, and to avoid that carbon migrating through the system and blocking the injectors, it may be time to book in for an engine flush.
If you would like to find out more about the Lexus engine flush service or to book an appointment, click our Enquire Now button or call our team at your nearest Al-Futtaim Lexus service centre.