I was asked to take a look at my sister-in-laws car and see why it was running so poorly (barely runs). It felt like it was running on 3 or 4 cylinders and I can smell lots of raw fuel. I checked the output on all of the ign coils and the wires and plugs, ran a compression test and then determined after not finding any codes for an obvious sensor or circuit problem, found that 3 of the injectors are plugged with something. This 3.8L engine has 116k miles on it and is spotless inside (looking through the oil cap). I find it very unusual to have injector problems at this mileage. I asked her if someone could have put something in her fuel tank (no locking gas cap), and she said it was very possible her ex-husband did. She caught him in the neighborhood recently, but was afraid to confront him since he was with 2 other guys.) He had no reason to be in Forest City, NC, since he lives in Hendersonville. From what she said, he was not happy that she finally left him after he spent all her money and ran up her debt (her story, of course). By posting here, I am sort of looking for any ideas about this situation. Is it possible that someone put sugar in the gas tank? I have no experience with this, but have heard plenty. What is the mechanism whereby it fouls up the fuel system? Does this sound like a possibility for the cause of her injector problem? I am going to attempt to clean up all the injectors and see if I can get it running right for her since she is sort of starting over after her divorce and has no money to replace these very expensive (to her) injectors. Just for comparison, I have a 94 Buick Lesabre with over 250k miles and not a days trouble with the fuel delivery system. Of course, I use various fuel products at a small maintenance dose every tank as a preventative. Any ideas or experience with this type of problem would be great! Thanks.
Weird: clogged injectors on a 96 Buick Regal
- Thread starter bmwtechguy
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LOL! Before you determine to clean it yourself, flush/purge the entire fuel system, fuel tank, (replace fuel filter also) with fresh, clean fuel and do this a few times to rid of any possible contaminants.
As for fuel injector possible clogs, I would recommend you to ship them over to Jackson Racing in So Cal to have them ultrasonic cleaned.
(*again, assume that the fuel has been tempered with...sugar? dunno....*)
As for fuel injector possible clogs, I would recommend you to ship them over to Jackson Racing in So Cal to have them ultrasonic cleaned.
(*again, assume that the fuel has been tempered with...sugar? dunno....*)
Sugar in the fuel tank is sometimes a dirty deed done to others. It stickies up everything and fuels system problems appear a day or two later. Look in the bottom of the tank for any residue to get some idea if something was put in there. A entire fuel system flush may be needed, with injector ultrasonic cleaning as noted previously.
Take a fuel sample from the shrader valve up on the fuel rail and see if you can see anything in it. Maybe even a small taste. You can also perform a fuel injector balance test if not already done, to insure your diagnosis.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
JHZR2
Staff member
didnt some engines have a tendency for injectors to go kaput when they had the wrong kind of cleaners/additives put through them??? I thought it was GM injectors from that era.
From driving through SC&NC between Auburn, AL and Phila., I know that there are more stations on the I85 corridor in those states selling alcohol fuels (E85, etc.) than anywhere else on that trip or any of the other trips I take (Im on the road for work about 50% of the time lately).
Just anecdotal evidence, but could she have put E85 or similar into her car, which is not set up for it???
While I dont deny that a sugar in the tank trick is plausible (though if sugar, why not sand, grit, etc?), and especially with the ex around, fitting to a fishy situation, Id first look for reasonable mistakes that could have been made...
JMH
From driving through SC&NC between Auburn, AL and Phila., I know that there are more stations on the I85 corridor in those states selling alcohol fuels (E85, etc.) than anywhere else on that trip or any of the other trips I take (Im on the road for work about 50% of the time lately).
Just anecdotal evidence, but could she have put E85 or similar into her car, which is not set up for it???
While I dont deny that a sugar in the tank trick is plausible (though if sugar, why not sand, grit, etc?), and especially with the ex around, fitting to a fishy situation, Id first look for reasonable mistakes that could have been made...
JMH
GM has had alot of issues with injectors plugging, especially in the midwest. Do you know which cylinders are missing? If so, a quick way we can tell if the injector is just plugged is to take a screwdriver and tap on the injector body. If the miss clears up, you know it was plugged and then you may be lucky enough that putting some Techron fuel cleaner in it. As a matter of fact, GM even put out a bulletin, telling dealers to tell customers to use a tank full of injector cleaner every 3,000 miles. Hope this helps.
Coincidence!
Replace the fuel filter, have her run various brands of FI cleaners at the next few fillups, and invest in a locking gas cap for 'peace of mind'.
If that doesn't help, the injectors need to be sent to a shop for cleaning and testing. There are plenty around now. Check the yellow pages in your area before shipping them out.
Replace the fuel filter, have her run various brands of FI cleaners at the next few fillups, and invest in a locking gas cap for 'peace of mind'.
If that doesn't help, the injectors need to be sent to a shop for cleaning and testing. There are plenty around now. Check the yellow pages in your area before shipping them out.
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