Differences Between Carburetors And Fuel Injectors

Carburation is the process of mixing air with fuel by a carburetor so that they can be used by the combustion engine.

What is a Carburetor?

A carburetor is a device that is used in internal combustion engines to control the amount of air and fuel entering the engine. They are also said to be devices that mix air with fine spray of liquid fuel in the internal combustion engine.

How Does A Carburetor Work?

Carburetors work by feeding air-fuel mixtures into cylinders and it does this by mixing air with fuel in the primary chamber which makes it easier for the spark plugs to ignite.

Why Are Carburetors Not Used In Diesel Engines?

Diesel engines do not need carburetors because only air is compressed to much higher pressures and the fuel is then injected into the compressed air and as the fuel and air are mixed, the fuel evaporates and ignites.

What is a Fuel Injector?

A fuel injector is a device that is used for injecting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It is also a system of duct and nozzles that are used in directing the flow of high pressure fluid in such a way that low pressure fluid is entrained in the jet and carried through a duct region of higher pressure.

Fuel Injection

Fuel injection is the process of introducing fuel into an internal combustion engine.

Types Of Fuel Injections

Single-point or throttle body injection
Port or multipoint fuel injection
Sequential fuel injection
Direct fuel injection

How Does A Fuel Injection System Work?

The fuel injection systems work by atomising fuel at a high pressure and mixing it with clean air as it passes through the inlet manifold before moving into the combustion chamber of each cylinder.

Differences Between Carburetor And Fuel Injectors

Carburetors	Fuel Injectors
Carburetors are used in feeding the air fuel mixtures into the combustion engines.	The fuel injectors operate with the same principles as the carburetors but they differ in architecture and design.
The flow of air through carburetors is controlled by the throttle valves.	Fuel injectors help increase the volumetric efficiency of the engine. This is done by increasing flame speed which reduces the turbulence in the intake manifold.
Parts of a carburetor are: Throttle valve, strainer, venturi, metering system, idling system, float chamber, mixing chamber, choke valve, automatic mixture control etc.	Fuel Injectors inject specific amounts of fuel into each cylinder so that combustion can take place.
Types of carburetors Updraft carburetors Horizontal carburetors Downdraft carburetors	Fuel Injectors ensure an even distribution of heat through out the cylinder and prevent pre-ignition problems that result when carburetors are used alone
	Parts of fuel injectors are: fuel injection pump, high-pressure pipe, injection nozzle, feed pump, fuel filter.
	Types of fuel injectors include: Single-point or throttle body injection Post or multipoint fuel injection Sequential fuel injection Direct injection

Functions of Fuel Injectors

One of the functions of the fuel injector is to atomize the pressurized fuel. These injectors also inject it into the combustion chamber.

The fuel pumps pressurize fuel and send it through the fuel line and fuel injectors. In a fuel system, fuel injectors decrease the pressure within fuel systems, and the fuel pumps increase the pressure within the fuel system.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Carburetors

Advantages of Using Carburetors

There is no restriction on the amount of fuel drawn to the cylinder from the float chamber by the carburetor.
Simple carburetors provide a denser mixture at high speed for great power.
They are easy and affordable.
Carbureted vehicles show more power and precision in road tests.
They are easier to maintain.
They are inexpensive.
They are easy to modify and repair.
They provide good fuel economy and light load conditions.

Disadvantages of Using Carburetors

At a low speed, the amount of fuel in the air-fuel mixture would be very low.
It only gives stoichiometric mixture at a specific speed and load.
It has a low fuel economy.
The working principle of a simple carburetor will be affected by atmospheric pressure.
Changes in atmospheric pressure can affect the working of the carburetor.
During the winter season, the carburetor system faces ice formation issues due to low temperatures.
The emission from the exhaust is not good for the environment.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Fuel Injectors

Advantages Of Using Fuel Injectors

Fuel Injectors provide a higher power and torque than the carburetor.
They have better engine life.
They have lower emissions and are considered lesser pollutants.
They have a very simple set-up.
They have accurate throttle response and turning options.
They save fuel from undue fuel consumption.
They cause the cars to pick up well and also make them fast.
They do not require any adjustments.
They are easy to start.

Disadvantages Of Using The Fuel Injectors

Dirty fuel injectors when used can reduce the performance of a car.
Fuel injectors are usually very expensive to replace.
The reliability of fuel injection systems depend on the quality of the fluid used in servicing.
They require so much money to maintain.
They consume a high amount of oil.
The construction of fuel injectors is difficult.
They produce more sound.
The servicing of the fuel injection unit is tedious.
There is every possibility that the car owner would experience a vapor lock in the steel fuel lines above the engine therefore making it difficult to start the engine.