What does it mean if fuel injectors are said to be "saturated"?

When fuel injectors are described as "saturated," it indicates that they are fully open, allowing maximum fuel delivery to the engine. This means that the injectors are operating at their maximum capacity, supplying fuel into the combustion chamber in order to achieve optimal engine performance, particularly under high load or acceleration conditions.

A saturated injector is critical to ensuring that the engine receives the necessary fuel for combustion, which helps in maintaining efficiency and power output. The concept of saturation is particularly important in understanding fuel system dynamics, where the balance of air and fuel is essential for proper combustion and engine efficiency.

In contrast, if injectors were not delivering any fuel, they would be classified as stuck closed or malfunctioning, while partially blocked injectors would restrict fuel flow rather than provide maximum delivery. Returning to a normal operating state does not directly imply being fully open, as normal operation could also include various levels of fuel flow depending on engine demands. Therefore, the term "saturated" specifically refers to the condition of being fully open for maximum fuel delivery.