Volvos are known for safety, but they are also incredibly reliable automobiles. If you’ve noticed you’ve been having a little bit of engine trouble lately, it could be that the fuel injectors are clogged with dirt and carbon and need to be professionally cleaned. The fuel injectors are responsible for spraying fuel into the cylinders or the intake manifold. If they are clogged, Euro Autoworks advises that your engine is not getting enough fuel.
Dancing Tachometer Needle
A strange sign that your fuel injectors are clogged is a dancing tachometer needle. As the clogged fuel injectors spray fuel into the combustion chamber in spurts, your engine’s RPMs will rev up and down. This will cause your tachometer needle to dance up and down on the dashboard.
Misfiring Engine
Another sign of clogged fuel injectors is a misfiring engine. Because the engine is fuel-starved, it will stutter and sputter in its efforts to meet your power demands. You may also feel your Volvo jerk as the engine misfires. The more the fuel injectors get clogged, the more noticeable it will be that your engine is struggling. One sure sign that the engine is not getting enough fuel is a lag in your Volvo’s acceleration.
Poor Gas Mileage
As the engine struggles to produce power, it uses up whatever gasoline is in the combustion chamber. Consequently, you will notice that your Volvo is getting poor gas mileage. This might not make sense if you think about it. If the engine is fuel-starved, why is it going through gas more? The reason is simple: It’s burning up what little fuel it has faster as it tries to produce power.
Rough Idling
Even if you are not having the engine performance issues discussed above, your Volvo may idle roughly if the fuel injectors are clogged. This is because, again, the engine is being fuel-starved. If your Volvo does not have enough fuel in the combustion chamber, the idling will become rough and unpredictable. In severe cases, the engine might stall.
“It’s dead, Jim”
Finally, if the fuel injectors are completely clogged, no fuel will make its way into the combustion chamber. If this happens, you won’t be able to get your Volvo started. Clogged fuel injectors are just one reason why this happens. You might also be dealing with a clogged fuel filter, clogged fuel hoses, a problem with the fuel delivery, or an electrical problem.
Euro Autoworks in Woodbury, MN, would be happy to inspect your Volvo to see if the fuel injectors are clogged and need to be cleaned. Call us today to schedule an appointment.