Journey Engine Issues: Stalling and Rough Performance Fix

This sounds very familiar. Had nearly identical issues with a 2013 Crossroad, engine misfiring, rough idle and sluggish acceleration. After some diagnostic work, the problem was traced to a faulty fuel injector that was disrupting the air-fuel ratio. I have some experience working on fuel systems, but this was beyond my skill level. Took it to a trusted workshop where they: 1. Ran complete fuel system diagnostics 2. Tested the fuel pressure 3. Checked all injectors individually 4. Found one injector was not atomizing fuel properly The repair included: Replacing the defective fuel injection unit, Cleaning the throttle body, Performing a full system reset Total cost was 515€ for parts and labor. Since the fix, the engine has run smoothly with proper power delivery and no check engine lights. Before suggesting specific solutions, could you share: Current mileage? Any recent maintenance done? When did symptoms first appear? Are there any unusual sounds from the intake manifold area? Have you noticed changes in fuel consumption? This info would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced with the injector failure.

Thanks for the detailed response. My Journey has 96989 KM and the last service was 3 months ago, just routine oil change and filters. The symptoms started about 2 weeks ago and have gotten progressively worse. One thing I noticed after reading your reply, there is a slight ticking noise from the engine bay, especially when cold. Fuel consumption has definitely increased, getting about 25% less distance per tank lately. I checked the spark plugs today and they look pretty worn with dark deposits. Considering the symptoms match closely with your experience, I might have the same fuel injector issue, though the oxygen sensor could also be failing based on the poor fuel economy. Will get it properly diagnosed to be sure. The catalytic converter was replaced last year, so that should be fine.

Thanks for the additional details. Those symptoms do align closely with my injector problems, but the ticking noise and dark spark plugs suggest this might be a bit different from what I encountered. The worn spark plugs with deposits often indicate the engine is running rich, which matches your increased fuel consumption. This could mean either: 1. The mass airflow sensor is sending incorrect readings, causing excess fuel delivery 2. The oxygen sensor is failing to properly regulate the air-fuel mixture 3. Multiple fuel injectors are overspraying In my case, the fuel injector replacement fixed everything, but given your specific symptoms, I would recommend having the oxygen sensor tested first. When mine eventually failed years later, it showed similar symptoms but with that distinctive ticking sound you mentioned. The diagnostic process for my Journey started with checking the mass airflow sensor since it is the most accessible component. The shop can quickly test if it is sending accurate readings to the engine control unit. If you plan to tackle initial checks yourself, cleaning the mass airflow sensor might help eliminate that as a potential cause before spending money on diagnostics. Just be sure to use proper MAF sensor cleaner, not regular cleaner. Would be interested to know what the shop finds, might help others with similar issues in the future.

Thank you for sharing those insights about your Journey. The intake manifold ticking and increased fuel consumption really help narrow things down. After seeing how your experience matches my situation, especially with the rough running and stalling, I feel more confident about the likely causes. The dark deposits on my spark plugs combined with the fuel economy drop definitely point toward fuel mixture problems. Since the catalytic converter is new, I will focus on getting the fuel injection system and oxygen sensors checked first. Those seem to be the most likely culprits affecting the air-fuel ratio. I will start by having the shop run full diagnostics on the mass airflow sensor and oxygen sensors before moving on to testing individual injectors. The check engine light codes should help pinpoint whether we are dealing with a single faulty injector or a broader fuel system issue. Will update once I get it diagnosed properly. Thanks again for helping me understand the common failure points, this will make discussions with the repair shop much more productive.