What can improper injector function lead to in a vessel’s engine?

Improper injector function can lead to increased fuel consumption and pollution for a vessel’s engine primarily because the injectors are responsible for delivering the correct amount of fuel into the combustion chamber. When injectors are malfunctioning, they may deliver too much or too little fuel, disrupting the air-fuel mixture ratio that is crucial for efficient combustion.

If the fuel delivery is excessive, it can result in incomplete combustion, leading to unburned fuel being expelled into the exhaust system. This not only wastes fuel, thereby increasing consumption, but also contributes to higher emissions of pollutants such as hydrocarbons and particulate matter. Conversely, if the injectors deliver insufficient fuel, the engine may struggle to operate efficiently, again leading to unburned fuel and higher emissions. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the environmental and operational consequences of improper injector function, emphasizing the importance of maintaining injectors for optimal engine performance and compliance with pollution standards.