Fuel-Injection and Carburetor Basics
Traditional basic carburetors were functional units, but it was difficult for vehicles to consistently meet government environmental and emissions standards when using them. automotives-makers next tried putting electronics on basic carburetors to help control their operation. However, when the electronics failed, emissions could be even higher than with earlier standard carburetors. The throttle-body design utilized fuel-injectors mounted above the throttle plates of a carburetor chassis. This design worked fairly well. The most efficient fuel delivery system, however, is achieved using a port fuel-injector. Fuel is introduced into one end of the injector, and the car's computer controls how that fuel passes through into the combustion chamber. With a fuel injection engine, the problem exhibited by this vehicle could possibly be related to a malfunction in the on-board computer. Checking a car's computer requires expensive diagnostic equipment or, at least, a trip to a service center. Those options might cost anywhere from $60 to $300. (Some automotives centers do, however, rent out diagnostic gear.) The techniques used here follow the more old-fashioned, less expensive approach. Note:Fuel-related projects require a well-ventilated work area.