Precision Fuel Intake

An automobile engine is a precision machine. Timing is everything when it comes to its operation. Any delay or premature timing can have serious repercussions. For instance, if the fuel injectors become uncoordinated with the motions of the pistons, the engine may not produce enough output or it may simply breakdown. Fuel injectors should only spray fuel into the combustion chambers when the respective pistons are in intake positions. Injecting fuel before or after intake stroke may lead to the incomplete burning of the fuel. This will lead to the formation of pollutants. Fuel will be wasted and mechanical output will not be optimized.

Fuel injectors are precision components that regulate the right amount of fuel to be introduced into the combustion chambers. Basically, fuel injectors are comprised of valves and nozzles. To some extent, the valves are analogous to the engine pistons. In terms of motions and in terms of structure, the valves of the fuel injectors are similar to the pistons. Depending on the engine configuration, each combustion cylinder typically has two fuel injectors. These fuel injectors simultaneously inject fuel mist into the combustion chamber. The fuel is atomized into mist when it passes through the small hole of the nozzle while under pressure.

Fuel injectors, however, are more than mere fuel atomizers. They are the ones that control the amount and timing of fuel injected into the combustion chambers. They are controlled by the ECU and connected to the fuel pump. The ECU responds based on the mechanical demands of the engine. In this manner, fuel is more efficiently utilized. Pollution is prevented and engine output is maximized. Although the engine can still function without the fuel injectors, it would be very inefficient. This is the main reason why fuel injectors are present in virtually all modern automobiles.

Automobile Nerve Center

Virtually all automobiles have built-in computers. These onboard computers serve as the nerve centers of automobile. Unlike the common personal computer or laptop computer, an automobile computer is typically hidden and does not require constant human intervention. Automobile computers are smaller and fully automated. They are highly specialized and may only be programmed for a particular task. Hence, they are simpler compared to a PC or laptop computer. Although there are several types of onboard automobile computers, the most important automobile computer is the engine control unit or ECU. As the name implies, the ECU controls the functions of the engine.

An ECU is the electronic brain that receives, processes, stores data from the sensors. These data are interpreted based on certain parameters. Depending on the need of the engine, the ECU may automatically adjust the fuel injection rate, the sparkplug timing, and the air intake. By adjusting these parameters, the engine output in terms of power, torque and speed can also be modified. Adjusting these parameters is not arbitrary. The ECU relies on the sensors such as the oxygen sensor and speed sensor to determine the most appropriate actions. In most cases, the entire process does not require direct human manipulation. Nonetheless, the power programmer may occasionally be adjusted.

The engine control system allows the automobile to efficiently function. Fuel consumption is optimized and mechanical output is maximized. Virtually not a single drop of fuel is wasted. Engine performance is maintained at high level while pollution is kept at bay. Although almost all modern automobiles have built-in ECU’s, there still some automobile models that do not have ECU’s. On the other hand, like many other automobile components, ECU’s also succumb to the process of wear and tear. Aftermarket ECU’s can be purchased and installed on these automobiles. In most cases, aftermarket ECU’s are at par if not superior to the OEM counterparts.