Air and Fuel Mix it up for Improved Engine Performance


by Siovaugh Roberts - Date: 2007-01-19 - Word Count: 904 Share This!

The sole responsible component for the motion of a vehicle is the engine. For the engine, to enable such motion is through combustion, or the burning of the fuel to create pressure, which then creates for motion. A remarkably tiny amount of fuel is needed during each combustion cycle. Mix it with air, fuel is burnt during combustion process for the engine to create pressure.

To achieve the process, the carburetor is installed to mix jut the right amount of gasoline with air so that the engine runs smoothly. If there is not enough fuel mixed with air, the engine "runs lean" and either will not run or will potentially damage the engine. Having too much fuel mixed with air will make the engine "run rich" and will: not run (during floods); run very smoky; run poorly (bogs down, stall easily); or will even waste fuel. The carburetor will makes this mixture at the right amount.

Carburetors are still found in small engines and in older or specialized automobiles such as those designed for stock car racing. However, fuel injection first introduced in the late 1950's and first successfully commercialized in the early 1970s, have become nearly universal a sit provides better fuel efficiency and lower emissions. But nearly all older cars and other small equipment like lawnmowers and chainsaws use carburetors because of its simplicity and low cost in comparison with fuel injections.

Running at idle or when it is cold, the engine is supplied by the carburetor with a small amount of very rich fuel mixture. As the throttle plate is closed and air from the air cleaner is limited by the closed choke plate, engine suction is amplified at idle-circuit nozzle. This vacuum draws a thick spray of gasoline through the nozzle from the full float bowl, whose fuel line is closed by the float-supported needle valve. More fuel is provided when the gas pedal is depressed for acceleration. The pedal linkage opens the throttle plate and the choke plate to send air rushing through the barrel. The linkage also depresses the accelerator pump, providing added gasoline through the accelerator-circuit nozzle. As air passes through the narrow center of the barrel, called the "venturi;" it produces suction that draws spray from the cruising-circuit nozzle. The float-bowl level drops and causes the float to tip and the needle valve to open the fuel line.

When liquid or air passes through the venturi tube, the speed of flow is increased at the restriction. Thus, air pressure is lowered, creating an "increase in vacuum" or a reduction in ambient pressure. This will enable for the fuel to be drawn into the barrel. This venturi process is used to keep the correct air-fuel ratio throughout the range of speeds and loads of engine.

The float circuit maintains the fuel in the carburetor at a certain level even in the harshest conditions. It maintains the fuel level. When its attached lever forces the needle valve closed, the flow of the fuel from the pump is stopped. The needle valve opens and fuel flows into the bowl again. In this way, the fuel is level to the opening of the main discharge nozzle. The float level must be set with a high degree of accuracy. If the level is too low, not enough fuel will be supplied to the system and the engine will stall on turns. If the level is too high, too much fuel will flow from the nozzle.

The metering rod will tell how much sizes will the carburetor jet opens. The fuel from the float bowl is metered through the jet and the metering rod within it. The fuel is forced from the jet to the nozzle extending into the venturi. As the throttle valve is opened, its linkage raises the metering rod from the jet. The rod has several steps, or tapers, on the lower end. As it is raised in the jet, it makes the opening of the jet greater in size. This allows more fuel to flow through the jet to the discharge nozzle.

When the engine is cold, the choke valves make the necessary fuel mixture adjustments to start it. The engine won't start properly with a cold fuel-air mixture. It will even stall out periodically. When "engaged" (closed) it will increase the fuel air mixture, or otherwise, increased. Placed at the mouth of the carburetor, the choke is a special valve that partially blocks off the entering air. When the choke plate closes, the vacuum below it increases, drawing more fuel from the fuel bowl. The rich fuel mixture burns even at lower temperatures, allowing the engine to warm up.

Also added inside the carburetor is the idle circuit that keeps the engine running smoothly and evenly when no power is necessary. Also known as the idle jet, it admits fuel on the engine side of the throttle valve. Additional air is mixed with the fuel through the air bleed. This result to an entirely separates carburetor circuit that functions only when the throttle valve is closed.

Though the parts may function in seemingly complicated ways, these components perform each task for the whole carburetor to work efficiently. As it mixes with the right amount of air and fuel, no doubt that the engine will run smoothly albeit the impending hassle that may come along the way. These carburetor parts can be availed at the nearest auto parts stores nearby and through online aftermarket stores in cyberspace.


Related Tags: vacuum, engine, f, fuel, air, pressure, motion, carburetor, carburetor parts, venturi, air-fuel ratio

Siovaugh is the wife of a Texas politician. But being a full-time wife does not stop her to drive out and seek her own enjoyment. She co-founded a clique with her bosom buddies and puts up a club in support of F1 driver Kimi Raikonnen. You can visit auto body parts for more information.

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