BMWs were built with incredible engineering and outstanding durability standards, making them one of the most well known, highly-sought after luxury vehicles in the automotive industry. We’ll go ahead and say it: if you drive a BMW, consider yourself privileged. While BMWs sets the gold standard for many vehicle manufacturers around the world, they are not immune to maintenance and repair issues. Regular vehicle maintenance is critical to ensure the longevity of your BMW, and in the Orange County areas of Anaheim, Fullerton, and Placentia, CA where traffic is highly condensed it is even more essential to take care of your vehicle routinely. One of the most common issues that can occur in a BMW even with proper care and maintenance is a faulty fuel injector. When problems arise with your BMW’s fuel injector, there is a range of symptoms that may indicate there’s an issue. It is important to pay close attention to any changes in your vehicle’s behavior so that you can catch such issues early on, before they cause significant damage costing you thousands in repair work. Here are a few of the symptoms to look out for when facing a suspect faulty fuel injector:
Unusual odor
One of the most alarming symptoms of a bad fuel injector is the odor of fuel leaking. Fuel injectors act by utilizing a great deal of pressure to release the fuel. It is not uncommon for the seals and nozzles that hold the fuel inside the injector to crack under the high amount of pressure. A fuel leak can be scary for drivers, and furthermore, it isn’t good to be breathing in gasoline fumes. Additionally, leaking fuel will inevitably affect your fuel economy—in fact, a faulty fuel injector in your BMW will effect fuel economy whether it’s leaking from the seal or not. If you smell gasoline in the cabin of your BMW, you should bring it to a trusted automotive shop to be inspected immediately. You could be losing money in gasoline as we speak.
Substandard efficiency
Another potential symptom of a faulty fuel injector is a noticeable effect on your vehicle’s power when accelerating. Part of the function of the fuel injector is to release the proper amount of fuel that when combined with the right amount of air causes the engine to combust normally, giving the vehicle the right amount of power that it needs to run efficiently. It can be especially devastating when your BMW, which is known for its power and performance, starts declining in efficiency and power. You may notice a change when accelerating, and you may also even experience engine misfires and stalling. This is troubling for drivers who rely on their vehicle for transportation every day. The sooner you bring you vehicle in for a fuel injector inspection, the sooner you can get back on the road safely.
Check engine light turns on
And finally, the dreaded “check engine” light—this light is infamous for being the direct cause of fear and anxiety among all drivers, let alone BMW drivers. When your “check engine” light comes on in your dashboard notifications, it is letting you know that your vehicle’s computer is sensing a change in functionality, and receives a code which it then transmits to the driver via the dashboard symbols. Professional automotive technicians with the proper diagnostic tools can only read this code; your automotive service provider will be able to confirm that the issue is stemming from your fuel system, likely your fuel injector, and proceed with the appropriate repair methods.
Take it to professionals
If you notice that your BMW has declined in performance, you are experiencing less than optimal fuel efficiency, or your “check engine” light has come on, don’t waste anymore time driving your BMW; there could be even more serious ramifications for driving a car with a faulty fuel injector. The professionals here at Mike’s Foreign Car Inc. specialize in European imports and are especially passionate about German engineering. Serving Orange County and areas such as Anaheim, Yorba Linda, Fullerton and Placentia, we enjoy restoring BMWs to their former glory because we have a deep respect for such impressive automotive performance—and what better location to test your driving skills? We pride ourselves on first-time accurate diagnoses that lead to efficient and cost-effective repair work—we don’t want to waste your time or your money. Stop by today to meet our friendly staff—we’ll be glad to show you around.
BMW image credit goes to :ManuelGonzalezOlaecheaFranco