Most modern vehicles have one fuel injector per cylinder. Passenger cars typically have a four-cylinder engine and therefore four fuel injectors. These are electronically controlled valves that atomise and spray an exact quantity of pressurised fuel into the combustion chamber.
They replace older carburettor solutions, optimising the air-fuel mix for more efficient performance and lower carbon emissions. In short, they are a vital part of your vehicle’s combustion system.
You should aim to keep your fuel injectors clean, particularly if your car is showing any of the following signs of a blockage:
- Rough or uneven idling
- Poor acceleration
- Engine misfiring or stalling
- Reduced fuel efficiency
- Particularly high mileage
Cleaning in these situations can restore performance. Some manufacturers also recommend cleaning every 30,000 miles as part of routine maintenance.
One straightforward approach is to add a high-quality bottled fuel injector cleaner to your tank at every oil change, or every 3,000 to 6,000 miles, ideally when fuel levels are low. This keeps dirt from building up without any specialist knowledge required.
When using an additive, make sure you choose the right product for your engine type, follow the instructions carefully, and avoid over-using it, as this can damage catalytic converters. Alternatively, you can book a professional cleaning service. DIY fuel injector cleaning kits are also available, though the same care with instructions applies.
Dirty Fuel Injectors and the Wrong Fuel
Grimy or clogged fuel injectors can make matters significantly worse if you inadvertently fill up with the wrong fuel. Pre-existing injector problems combined with the wrong fuel worsen damage to the fuel pump, place greater strain on the engine, and exacerbate combustion issues. This can lead to expensive repairs that need addressing urgently.
Dirty injectors typically cause irregular fuel spraying. Add a non-lubricating fuel on top of that, such as petrol in a diesel car, and the injectors may fail far more rapidly. Your engine is already struggling to spray fuel efficiently. Introducing the wrong fuel type, which will not combust correctly, creates even greater friction and heat.
Contaminated fuel also causes metal shavings to form due to a lack of lubrication. Clogged injectors then trap these particles sooner than they otherwise would, significantly increasing the risk of a complete and costly system failure. This is why, if you have put the wrong fuel in your car, acting quickly and not running the engine is so important.
How to Prevent Clogged Fuel Injectors
There are plenty of steps you can take to keep your fuel injectors in good shape:
- Use a decent-quality fuel.
- Add a fuel system cleaner additive as mentioned above.
- Drive regularly so that fuel is not sitting in the system for extended periods.
- Avoid running on a very low tank.
- Follow the regular maintenance schedule recommended by your manufacturer.
- Replace fuel filters at the intervals specified.
- Keep filters clean and in good working order.
- Avoid rapid acceleration where possible.
- Keep your vehicle’s cooling system functioning correctly.
- Take your car for its regular service and have the fuel system inspected at the same time.
Put the Wrong Fuel In? Talk to Us
At Wrong Fuel in Car Recovery, we are here 24/7 if you have accidentally put the wrong fuel in your car, whether that is petrol in a diesel or diesel in a petrol vehicle. We can be with you within the hour to get you back on the road as quickly as possible.
With all the relevant qualifications and accreditations, we cover the whole of the UK. In most cases we are with people for no longer than 90 minutes. We drain the incorrect fuel from the tank, fuel lines and filter, then fill up with the right fuel. Fresh fuel is then pumped through the lines and filter to flush out any remaining contamination. You also have the option to add a high-tech injection and fuel system cleaner before you drive away safely.
Save our numbers in your phone so you have them ready if you need them. Call 0800 193 1103 or 07538 889 922 and tell us where you are, the make and model of your vehicle, roughly how much of the incorrect fuel you have added, and how far you have driven on it.
Then switch off the engine, relax, and wait for us to arrive. You can also find out more about our full range of wrong fuel recovery services or contact us online if you prefer