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P02C5

Professional

Cylinder 11 - Injector Leaking

What Does P02C5 Mean?

The ECM has detected that the fuel injector on cylinder 11 is leaking, delivering more fuel than commanded. The PCM identifies this through negative individual fuel trim values reaching their correction limit, or by detecting fuel pressure decay when the injector should be closed. The driver may notice a rich exhaust smell, rough idle, black smoke, or fuel-fouled spark plug on cylinder 11.

Common Causes

40%

Worn or damaged injector pintle/seat allowing fuel to drip when closed

fuel injector #11

25%

Cracked or deteriorated injector O-ring seals causing external fuel leak

injector O-ring seals
fuel rail seal

15%

Carbon buildup preventing the injector valve from fully seating

fuel injector #11
injector tip

12%

Electrical fault holding the injector solenoid partially energized

injector wiring harness
ECM injector driver
connector

8%

Excessive fuel system pressure forcing fuel past the injector seal

fuel pressure regulator
fuel return line

Diagnostic Steps

1

Monitor cylinder 11 individual fuel trim — a large negative trim (e.g., -20% or more) confirms the ECM is compensating for excess fuel delivery.

2

Perform a fuel rail pressure decay test: turn key on/engine off, pressurize the fuel rail, and monitor for abnormal pressure drop that indicates a leaking injector.

3

Remove and inspect the cylinder 11 spark plug — heavy black soot or wet fuel fouling confirms that cylinder is running rich from injector leakage.

4

With the injector removed, apply regulated fuel pressure and observe the injector tip — any dripping with the injector de-energized confirms an internal leak. Maximum allowable leakage is typically 1 drop per minute.

5

Check the injector O-rings and fuel rail seating surface for cracks, hardening, or fuel residue indicating an external seal leak.

Estimated Repair Cost

$200 - $900

Parts + labor, varies by vehicle and location

Frequently Asked Questions

What does P02C5 mean?

The ECM has detected that the fuel injector on cylinder 11 is leaking, delivering more fuel than commanded. The PCM identifies this through negative individual fuel trim values reaching their correction limit, or by detecting fuel pressure decay when the injector should be closed. The driver may not...

What causes P02C5?

The most common cause of P02C5 (Cylinder 11 - Injector Leaking) is: Worn or damaged injector pintle/seat allowing fuel to drip when closed

How much does it cost to fix P02C5?

Typical repair costs for P02C5 range from $200 to $900, depending on the vehicle, location, and whether you do it yourself or go to a shop.

Is it safe to drive with P02C5?

A leaking injector is a moderate fire risk if the leak is external, and will cause catalyst damage and oil dilution if internal. Do not ignore this code — have it repaired within a few days. If you smell raw fuel, stop driving immediately.

How do I diagnose P02C5?

Start by connecting an OBD2 scanner to read the code and any freeze frame data. Then follow the diagnostic steps specific to P02C5 to identify the root cause.

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Quick Info

Category

Powertrain

System

Fuel System

Difficulty

Professional

Type

Generic (SAE)

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