Fuel injectors work by squirting a tiny amount of fuel through a nozzle into the engine’s combustion chamber. We may think of gasoline as a simple fluid, but it actually contains hundreds of chemical components, some of which are added by the supplier.
Over time, these compounds may collect inside the fuel system leading to a partial or complete clog.
Modern fuel suppliers add detergents into the mix in order to help prevent clogs, which means driving your vehicle regularly actually helps keep the fuel system clean. A vehicle that sits around is more likely to have compounds in its fuel deteriorate into junk that can clog up the system.
If you drive your vehicle frequently (at least once every few days) and feel symptoms such as a rough engine idle, you may want to look to a different cause — like old, failing spark plugs. The fuel filter is another likely source of clogs as it collects any contaminants present inside the fuel tank.
We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.
