Carburetor vs Fuel Injection: Which is better?
With India’s move to Bharat Stage 6 emission norms to reduce pollution emitted from internal combustion engines, the switch from carburettor to fuel injection is becoming more significant for automotive manufacturers.
Most modern-day cars and bikes have replaced carburettors with fuel injection systems which are more precise, offer better fuel economy and have higher performance in certain situations.
You may ask, what is the difference between a carburettor and fuel injection system? Which one is better? Are there any advantages of a fuel injection system over carburettors?
How does a carburettor work?
The carburettor mixes air and fuel in the right ratio and delivers it to the combustion chamber. When the throttle of the car is opened, airflow to the carburettor increases due to the suction of air, and fuel delivery is increased and causes acceleration of the vehicle.
It is like a tube that delivers fuel depending on the velocity of air through a part called a venturi. Increased velocity of air causes a low pressure to be created which sucks up fuel from the chamber through jets. The air-fuel mixture gets delivered via an effect called the vacuum venturi effect.
Pros of a carburettor system
· Carburettors are inexpensive and can be repaired or replaced easily, even by a non-skilled mechanic
· The driver can tune a carburettor to offer more power, higher efficiency or a compromise between the two
· The materials used to make a carburettor are long lasting
· Carburettors are situated outside the engine and therefore can be repaired or replaced, even serviced easily
Cons of a carburettor system
· Carburettors are not as fuel efficient as a fuel injection systems
· Carburettors suffer from a certain lag with throttle response which is not good for performance
· They have small and intricate parts that are prone to wear and tear and need to be replaced or rebuilt often
· The air-fuel mixture requirements change with different driving situations which the carburettor cannot always provide
· Carburettors are prone to getting blocked due to dust and dirt entering the air inlet
· The carburettor has a diaphragm which is delicate and prone to damage
How does fuel injection work?
Fuel injection systems have a series of sensors and electronics that make it work. A fuel pump delivers fuel to the combustion chamber via fuel injectors placed on top of cylinders. Every step of the process is controlled by an ECU (Engine Control Unit).
Parameters monitored by the ECU include throttle position, engine speed, engine temperature, etc. The ECU controls the fuel injectors to deliver the right amount of fuel for efficient combustion.
Pros of fuel injection
· Accurate delivery of air-fuel mixture, atomisation of the mixture is better
· Fewer emissions due because excess fuel is not added, combustion is cleaner and more efficient
· Throttle response does not have any lag, it is sharper and quicker
· Fuel efficiency is higher
· Fuel injection system require less maintenance and are less prone to damage as compared to carburettors
· The ECU can be used to fine tune the fuel injection system
Cons of fuel injection
· Fuel injection systems are expensive compared to carburettors
· An advanced technician is required to fine tune the system through ECU mapping
· Not easily repaired as compared to a carburettor, tools required for a rebuild are specialised and expensive
· The ECU is the main component that controls the system, and will leave you stranded if it fails
Is carburettor or fuel injection a better system for fuel delivery?
There are people who prefer carburettors over fuel injection and vice versa. Which is the better system?
Listed are some of the differences between the two systems.
Adaptability — Carburettors are not widely used on modern automobiles because of the increased pollution they cause
Performance — The ECU calculates the best possible air-fuel mixture for every dynamic situation, carburettors are more static
Fuel efficiency — The air-fuel mixture provides performance when needed and efficiency as well. The ECU can be mapped to work between the two states
Maintenance — Here carburettors are better because they can be easily maintained and repaired. Fuel injection is complex and requires a higher cost to fix
Is fuel injection good for the car?
Fuel injection has the ability to constantly vary the fuel-air mixture delivered to the combustion chamber to either benefit performance or efficiency. Fuel injection systems are governed by the ECU therefore they can compensate for high altitudes, steep inclines or poor-quality fuel. Fuel injection is the superior technology when it comes to fuel delivery to each cylinder.
Conclusion
So, which is the better system? Fuel injection vs carburettor.
Fuel injection wins in terms of performance, throttle response and efficiency. However, they cost more, but work better in the long run.
Carburettors are an old-school technology that have drivers fiddling around with it for optimum performance and fuel economy.
If you liked this article on the comparison of fuel injection systems vs carburettors, make sure to read another interesting article on Carorbis blog which talks about the alternator, an engine component that provides electricity to the vehicle and battery.
