How to Tell if the Injectors Are Bad on a 7.3 Powerstroke
by Cecil Fontaine
The PowerStroke fuel injection system is designed for diesel vehicles and uses a mix of hydraulic injectors with electric injectors. Given this combination of systems, the PowerStroke injection system faces the challenge of keeping air out of the vehicle´s oil (as opposed to non-diesel vehicles, where air must be kept out of the fuel). As is the case with other fuel injection systems, PowerStroke injectors undergo normal wear and tear and must be replaced periodically. Learning to recognize the symptoms of a bad injector will allow you to determine when it is time to replace the injectors.
Step 1
Check the exhaust smoke from your vehicle. White smoke is normal when starting your vehicle, but white smoke when driving indicates that there is a loose injector. Black smoke emission can also be normal when accelerating the vehicle, but if you notice black smoke at other times, this indicates a bad fuel injector. Blue smoke occurs in cold weather, but at any other time indicates that your vehicle needs a new fuel injector.
Step 2
Start your vehicle. If you experience difficulty in getting the vehicle started, this indicates a bad injector or faulty O-rings on the fuel injector itself. This problem should be fixed as quickly as possible, as it could progress to the point where you cannot start the vehicle at all.
Step 3
Check your vehicle´s idle. If you experience a rough idle or lose power and have difficulty accelerating, the fuel injector´s O-rings are deteriorated and must be replaced.
References
Writer Bio
Based in Colorado, Cecil Fontaine has been writing and editing since 2009, specializing in Brazilian travel guides. He received his Bachelor of Arts in political economy from the University of California, Berkeley in 2008.
