What Does P02B1 Mean?
The ECM has detected that the fuel injector on cylinder 6 is leaking fuel, allowing unmetered fuel to enter the combustion chamber or intake manifold when the injector should be fully sealed. This causes an overly rich condition on cylinder 6 with incomplete combustion. The driver may notice rough idle, black exhaust smoke, fuel odor, poor fuel economy, and possible misfires.
Common Causes
35%
Worn or damaged injector pintle seal or O-ring allowing fuel seepage past the injector tip
25%
Cracked or scored injector nozzle seat preventing full fuel shutoff
20%
Contaminated or corroded injector internals causing the needle valve to stick partially open
12%
Excessive fuel system pressure forcing fuel past the injector seal during closed periods
8%
Faulty injector driver circuit holding the injector partially energized
Diagnostic Steps
1
Monitor cylinder 6 short-term and long-term fuel trim values via live data — a significantly negative trim (below -10%) confirms the ECM is compensating for a rich condition from the leak.
2
Perform a fuel injector balance test or cylinder power contribution test to compare cylinder 6 against the other cylinders.
3
Check fuel system pressure with a gauge: key-on engine-off should hold specified rail pressure (typically 55-62 PSI). Monitor pressure bleed-down after shutoff for rapid decay.
4
Remove the fuel rail with injectors attached (engine off, pressure relieved) and apply regulated pressure while observing each injector tip for dripping — specification is no more than 1 drop per minute.
5
Inspect the cylinder 6 spark plug for heavy black carbon fouling or wet fuel deposits confirming unmetered fuel entry.
Estimated Repair Cost
$150 - $450
Parts + labor, varies by vehicle and location
The ECM has detected that the fuel injector on cylinder 6 is leaking fuel, allowing unmetered fuel to enter the combustion chamber or intake manifold when the injector should be fully sealed. This causes an overly rich condition on cylinder 6 with incomplete combustion. The driver may notice rough i...
The most common cause of P02B1 (Cylinder 6 - Injector Leaking) is: Worn or damaged injector pintle seal or O-ring allowing fuel seepage past the injector tip
Typical repair costs for P02B1 range from $150 to $450, depending on the vehicle, location, and whether you do it yourself or go to a shop.
The vehicle can be driven short distances but should be repaired soon. A leaking injector washes protective oil from cylinder walls causing accelerated wear, and excess fuel can damage the catalytic converter. Severe leaks create a fire risk from raw fuel in the exhaust.
Start by connecting an OBD2 scanner to read the code and any freeze frame data. Then follow the diagnostic steps specific to P02B1 to identify the root cause.
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Quick Info
Category
Powertrain
System
Fuel System
Difficulty
Type
Generic (SAE)
Recommended Tools
OBD2 Scanner
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