The Nissan Qashqai is one of the most popular family cars around. They’re well constructed by a known and respected manufacturer, and their size and affordability has made them a top choice for many. However, as with all cars, sometimes the family workhorse can benefit from some TLC. Here at the garage we recently had a Nissan in for some work on its fuel injectors. Here is the vehicle pictured below:Fuel injectors are, as the name implies, components within an engine which send atomised fuel particles into the combustion engine. These small particles are easily ignited, providing the ‘bang’ of the car’s combustion engine. The force of the injection provides the ‘squeeze’, making these injectors vital for the successful operation of the engine. Over time, though, these injectors can get clogged and their small parts can wear.
Symptoms of faulty fuel injectors include difficulty starting the engine, a strong smell of fuel, engine misfiring or a shuddering when the engine is idling (when the car is running but stationary), and sometimes a higher fuel consumption or slow acceleration. Any of these warning signs can act as a prompt to get a vehicle overhauled, and the owner of our Qashqai did just that.
So how did we help? The first step was to inspect the fuel injectors and make sure they were definitely causing the driver’s issues. The injectors sit underneath the engine’s cover, so they’re relatively easy to access once the pipes and wires have been moved out of the way. The injectors are cylinders that fire in order, so remembering the order and layout of the cylinders is vital when removing them!
There are several options when it comes to replacing fuel injectors. Motorists can buy new parts, or reconditioned spares are also available. Used and salvaged options can also be purchased, but these may not have the longevity of the new/reconditioned units.
Before replacing the new injectors, the injector bore is thoroughly cleaned to prevent carbon blow-outs and ensure the optimum environment and performance for the cylinders. Copper sealing washers are also replaced to ensure equal wear of all parts. The new injectors can then be installed, taking care to follow the original sequence of the cylinders!
For our Nissan Qashqai, the installation of new fuel injectors was completed quickly and easily, and our vehicle owner was able to drive away with peace of mind that their family car was back to top performance.
If you have noticed any symptoms of fuel injector wear, or would like our team of expert mechanics to check their condition, get in touch with A1 Diagnostics today and we’ll be happy to help!
