What can cause injector fouling?

Injector fouling is primarily caused by contaminants within the fuel system and the build-up of oil deposits. Contaminated fuel can include particles, dirt, or other impurities that disrupt the proper atomization and injection of the fuel, leading to inefficient combustion and reduced engine performance. Moreover, oil deposits can accumulate in the injector nozzle, causing blockages that result in uneven fuel distribution or complete injector failure.

While factors like high fuel pressure, low engine temperature, or increased airflow can affect engine performance, they do not directly lead to injector fouling in the same way that contaminants and deposits do. High fuel pressure may lead to injector wear or other performance issues, but it is not a primary cause of fouling. Low engine temperatures can affect combustion efficiency but are not typically responsible for the type of contamination that leads to fouling. Increased airflow, without corresponding fuel adjustments, can affect the air-fuel mixture but does not inherently introduce contaminants that can foul the injectors. Thus, contaminated fuel and oil deposits are the most significant contributors to injector fouling.