Car Repair Help by Professional Mechanics
How Does it Work /
Carburetor
How a Carburetor Works
A carburetor is an essential part of older model internal
combustion engine vehicles.
The main function of a carburetor is to mix the fuel and air and feed it into
the vehicle's engine where it is ignited and used to thrust the pistons downward
inside the engine block. This force against the pistons is what creates power
and causes a car to accelerate and maintain motion. The basic physics behind the
function of a carburetor is called the Bernoulli Principle and the venturi
effect. The Bernoulli Principle states that speed of the air is inversely
proportional to the pressure. It is the throttle plate or butterfly of the
carburetor that manages the amount of air flow that is delivered to the engine.
Carburetor - (appearance may vary)
The velocity of the flow and the subsequent pressure,
gauges the quantity of fuel that is fed into the air stream. The venturi effect
is an example of the Bernoulli principle. Fluid velocity must increase through
the constriction in a tube. The kinetic energy is created by the drop in
pressure. Carburetors use tubes called venturis to achieve this effect.
Below the venturi there is a valve called a throttle plate which can be open
and closed by the throttle pedal. This controls the engine speed by restricting
the air flow to the engine and subsequently the amount of air & fuel mixture that
is delivered.
Mathematical Equation - (ρ/2)(v22 - v12)
When the gas pedal is depressed, fuel is drawn into the air stream. These tiny
holes are on the smallest section of venturi and called jets. When the throttle
is opened the vacuum in the intake manifold is decreased. The velocity of air increases,
the low pressure raises the air speed to draw additional fuel into the air stream
through the nozzle located at the center area of venturi.
Other parts of the carburetor are an accelerator pump and choke assemblies.
The accelerator pump forces a small quantity of
gasoline through the jet when
the throttle is first opened off of idle mode. This helps to eliminate the
natural lean stumble created when an engine isn’t moving enough air to draw the
proper amount of fuel in during initial acceleration. An accelerator pump also
primes the engine before cold starts.
On cold start conditions more fuel
in needed to help the engine run properly. A choke is used to create this
additional fuel. The air flow is controlled by a choke at the carburetor's
entrance, before it passes to the venturi. Extra vacuum develops in the barrel
of the carburetor, pulling additional
gasoline via the main jet
system. The choke also will hold the throttle plate open slightly to increase
the idle speed to prevent stalling
Common Problems
The main problem with a carburetor is dirty fuel. This can cause a too rich
or lean condition, meaning there is too much fuel or air to the mixture. The
mixture is normally adjusted by one or more needle valves on the carburetor, but
dirt can render these adjustments inoperative. To check your car's mixture you
will need to use a gas analyzer to test your exhaust gasses. This will measure
the carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon and oxygen content of your
exhaust. During a normal smog
inspection the fuel/air mixture is tested and a report is generated. When a tune
up is performed the spark plug end insulator can tell you a lean or rich
mixture. Brownish grey is the desired color and confirms proper mixture. Black
and sooty means the mixture is too rich while white to light grey confirms a
lean mixture.
Basic maintenance
Changing the
air
filter and
fuel filter will keep dirt/debris from entering the internal workings of the
carburetor. This should be performed each time you change your spark plugs. Spraying
a carburetor cleaner into your barrels and adding cleaning additive to your gasoline
will remove deposits in your jets and in the carburetor itself.
How Does it Work
/ Carburetor
Check Manufacturer Specific Carburetor
Questions and Answers
Related Subjects
GET AN ONLINE REPAIR MANUAL
FOR YOUR CAR. Get instant access to your vehicles drive belt routing, wiring
diagrams, trouble code information, updates and factory bulletins.
| 
