Keeping Your Fuel Injection System Working Smoothly
The advertisements on television talk about fuel – injection as if everyone knows exactly what the term means. But not everyone is a car mechanic even if they do recognize the term. So the first question is: What is fuel – injection? The second question is: Why should you care about keeping it running smoothly?
Obviously, by the name, you can tell a fuel – injection system handles getting fuel to the car engine. Despite being discussed as if it is a fairly new invention, it’s actually been in existence since the 1950s. The fuel – injection system was designed to address the need for fewer polluting emissions from cars and to supply fuel to the engine in a more efficient manner.
Going Modern
Fuel injection replaced the old-style carburetors and is combined with a catalytic converter where there are strict air quality standards. The catalytic converter changes dangerous emissions into harmless water vapor and carbon dioxide. But in order to accomplish this goal, the fuel must be supplied to the catalytic converter in the right mixture and amount.
Thus the fuel – injection system was born, and Mobile Car Care mechanics are thoroughly trained on both old and new styles. The fuel – injection system supplies the right air and fuel ratio to the engine. If a catalytic converter is on the car, the car emissions are rendered virtually harmless. But a catalytic converter is not required for the fuel – injection system to work properly.
There are two types of fuel – injection systems on the market now. The multipoint fuel – injection system has one fuel injector per cylinder. They are mounted on the intake manifold and use ignition voltage for operational power. There is a control module which contains a switch which turns the power on and off as the cylinders need fuel. Fuel is sprayed as needed to keep the engine running smoothly.
The second type of fuel – injection system is called a throttle body injection system. As the name suggest, fuel injector(s) are installed on the throttle body. The fuel is sprayed, mixes with the air, and then delivered to the cylinders by the intake manifold. This is a less efficient system and in areas where strict air emission control standards were put into place, the throttle body injection system was replaced by the multiport fuel – injection system during vehicle manufacturing.
Lifetime of Service
It is clear the fuel – injection – system plays an important role in the efficient operation of the vehicle. Most people are not qualified nor have the right diagnostic tools to test and maintain a fuel -injection system. Yet it is critical to keep your fuel – injection – systems working efficiently for the benefit of the engine and to meet air emission standards.
Maintenance of the fuel – injection system can prevent many problems from developing.
* Change the fuel filter periodically
* Clean fuel injectors
* Fuel flow testing
* Spray pattern testing
The Mobile Car Care vans are equipped with the necessary diagnostic equipment perform all necessary fuel – injection system maintenance operations. With some basic and regular maintenance, most fuel – injection systems last for the life of the vehicle. The most important step you can take is to let a trained professional mechanic perform routine maintenance.
The bottom line is this: it costs a lot less to maintain your vehicle than to replace it.