Is ceramic in the intake bad?

[mrdirty]

I just pulled my injectors to fix a fuel leak and found that the #3 injector head is missing half the ceramic.

So, where did the other half go? Thru the engine I guess, anyone see this as a problem? What should I do?

I'm replacing the injector this week.
So is there anything I can do about the piece of ceramic?

[S13Grl]

Could have just broken off and fell through down the manifold somewhere. I dont think it's possible that it was sucked into your motor without you noticing it. You'd suffer a noticable compression loss if that piece made it anywhere near the combustion chamber.

[DuffMan]

The little plastic hat thingy (not sure if that's what you're talking about) fell off on one of my injectors a few secconds after putting it in and starting it up.

It made a sort of coughing noise (i think it got stuck on top of the valve) but i'm sure the temps melted it quickly. Luckily it didnt stick the valve far enough down to break anything.