Leaky injector symptoms?

95 Mystique Zetec ATX

All of sudden a few days ago it started misfiring very badly. So far I've tried a replacement coil pack and plug wires. No change at all. I pulled all 4 spark plugs and they all looked fine, and smelled fine with the exception of cylinder-3.

It has a slightly darker color and strong gas smell. You have to tap the gas to get the car started. Idle is very rough. The exhaust sounds are exactly like a misfire. Once the engine is warmed up, it will not idle at all. Stalls out right away. Loss of power.

Knowing that it's getting spark, and the injector is releasing fuel, are there any other possible problems that would cause the plug to smell of gas? At times, the exhaust smells very strong of gas but it comes and goes. My brother said in the last month or so before this problem, he gradually needed to tap the gas to get the car started more and more.

Sounds like the injector is stuck on. Maybe try switching the injectors and see if it follows the injector?

I thought about it, but it's a pain to swap the same injectors around just to have it continue to happen. If I'm pulling it apart, I'd want to just replace them at that point.

I see what you mean, and it likely seems like an injector, but you know what they say about throwing money at the car instead of troubleshooting it.

a leaky injector will run better at high throttle and higher RPMs, since there will then be enough air for the fuel. it will also cause your fuel mileage to drop drastically.

striker2 said:

a leaky injector will run better at high throttle and higher RPMs, since there will then be enough air for the fuel. it will also cause your fuel mileage to drop drastically.

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Because of your info, I think my '95 V6 has had a leaky injector for about 6 years! Thank you, I will change it them soon.

You've been driving your 3L with a leaky injector for that long Joe ?Sheesh..


To the OP- PM me if you need an injector. I have 6 spares.

I always thought the low rpm lack of performance had to do with my high mileage stock motor. I also thought that this issue would go away with my 3L swap, well it didn't and this would explain why! I'm so happy now

Yeah, my 95 did the same thing.
I bet the o-rings in the injector "cup" are shot and its only slightly dripping past. I thought you modified a SVT LIM for vac. secondaries? You'd need a newer fuel rail and injectors, right?

I havn't installed any svt LIM/fuel parts yet, but I have them all here .

Anyone else have any ideas?

i run a fuel additive called redex... it definately helps keep the car running smoothly. Maybe you could try running some seafoam or injector cleaner thru the fuel tank, to see what happens ...cheap and easy ...G.

Installed new injectors and a fuel filter on Tuesday. The misfire is still there with no change.

The old fuel filter poured out some nasty looking gas so I assumed that it was a clogged filter, but it didn't make a difference.

I guess a fuel pressure and compression test are the next step.