• Consider leaving repairs to the pros.new car engine with red trim image by Raxxillion from Fotolia.com
  
  There are a few possible causes of the blocked fuel injector in your car: mechanical failure; electrical problems; damage caused by overheating; and the most common reason, blockage caused by grime. The best way to avoid injector problems is to take your car in for regular maintenance and use the occasional fuel additive specifically designed to keep fuel systems clean.
  
  

Precipitate Buildup Injector Blockage

• The most common cause of injector blockage in modern vehicles is precipitate buildup, which is grime building up on the internal surfaces of the injector. There are a few causes for this, the foremost being long-term use of the engine combined with small impurities in the fuel. Sometimes rust or other particles in the gas tank can cause fuel injector blockage. In some cases dense residue can build up, which will require a replacement of the injector. However, before going out and buying a new injector, you can try to clean the old one.
  
  

Fixing a Clogged Injector

• Luckily, fixing this kind of blockage is not particularly difficult. You will need a hammer and an extension. It helps to know which cylinders are misfiring, but you can use trial and error to resolve the problem. Start the motor, ensuring that the car is safely secured, and place the extension on the injector assembly above the cylinder that you think is misfiring. Tap the extension with the hammer, gradually increasing the striking force while listening for the injector to start working again. This will shake loose any built-up grime on the inside of the injector assembly. Be very careful not to use too much force, because current injectors are usually at least partially made of plastic, and hitting too hard will cause a fuel leak and destroy the injector.
  
  

Fuel Injector Mechanical Failure

• The most obvious possible mechanical failure is a fuel leak. This can be caused by installation errors and incorrect engine timing, and occasionally simply by wear and tear. This is a critical failure and needs to be addressed immediately, as it could cause a fire. Replacing the injector is the suggested method of repair. Another possible cause of fuel injection problems isn't the fuel injector but instead the fuel line filters, which when blocked can cause a pressure problem in the entire fuel distribution system. Most oil change shops are equipped to replace fuel filters; however, you can do it yourself. Cooling system failures can cause injectors to overheat, causing them to seize up; unfortunately the only way to repair this is to replace the unit, since the heat will cause wiring to fuse, plastic to melt and overall severe damage.