Fuel Injection: Definition, Components, and Maintenance Tips. Discover More!

The term "fuel injection" may still be unfamiliar to some people. Fuel injection is a technology related to the combustion system of a car engine. This technology utilizes an engine control module that works with electronic devices called injectors. Fuel injection is superior compared to conventional fuel systems. What are the advantages and functions of fuel injection? Read and follow this article to the end for a more comprehensive explanation!

 

Definition of Fuel Injection

Fuel Injection or Electronic Fuel Injection is a fuel spray system that operates by electronically supplying fuel from the tank to the combustion chamber. In its working mechanism, fuel injection is assisted by the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) system, which functions to regulate or control all components of the fuel engine. Fuel injection ensures that the fuel processing process works perfectly. This is because the air and fuel mixture in the car must be in the right proportions to reduce the risk of car damage.

 

Read also: What does Monocoque Chassis mean? Here's the Explanation and its Types

 

Components of Fuel Injection

Here are the components of fuel injection that you need to know:

 

1. Fuel Tank

The fuel tank serves as the storage place for the vehicle's fuel. The fuel is then channeled as engine lubrication to ensure the optimal performance of the car's engine.

 

2. Fuel Filter

The fuel filter's role is to remove dirt and dust that may be present in the car's fuel. Before entering the combustion chamber, the fuel is filtered using two types of filters: the coarse filter and the fine filter. The coarse filter is made of porous wire mesh, which is useful for filtering larger particles. The fine filter is composed of tightly woven fabric, effectively trapping smaller dirt particles.

 

3. Electronic Control Unit (ECU)

The ECU acts as the central control for the fuel injection system. Equipped with 5 sensors, the ECU detects fuel-related data. Using this data from the sensors, the ECU processes and transmits the results to the injectors accordingly.

 

4. Delivery Pipe

The delivery pipe connects the fuel line to the tank. It also serves as a container for the fuel pumped by the fuel pump. This component is usually made of hard materials and is located at the end of the fuel line.

 

5. Fuel Pump

As the name suggests, the fuel pump is responsible for pumping and delivering fuel from the tank to the injectors.

 

6. Injector

The injector operates with the help of a solenoid. Its function is to release fuel from the delivery pipe and regulate the amount of gas that enters the engine. The principle of the injector's operation involves utilizing the electric voltage produced by the ECU, which can open the nozzle axially. This principle allows the injector to automatically release fuel based on the car's on-off conditions.

 

7. Battery

The battery acts as the source of electrical current. Another function of the battery is to provide voltage to the ECU, enabling the processing of fuel.

 

8. Sensors

Sensors are responsible for detecting the performance of each component. They also determine the opening and closing periods of the injectors.

 

 

Fuel Injection Operation

Here's how fuel injection works, and what you need to know about it:

1. Fuel injection performs analysis and observations to determine the condition of the engine's combustion chamber in a car.

2. Fuel injection sends signals to the Engine Control Unit (ECU), which functions to control each activity of the car's combustion chamber components.

3. The signals and sensors that have been transmitted are stored by the ECU.

4. The ECU works to determine the amount of fuel that should enter the combustion chamber.

 

That's a simple overview of how fuel injection works. During the process, fuel injection also collaborates with other components such as filters and return feeds to achieve optimal results. The return feed functions as a fuel feedback path. This component is in the form of a hose that acts as a feedback route for fuel back into the tank if the pressure becomes too high.

 

 

Advantages of Fuel Injection

Fuel injection offers various advantages over conventional fuel systems. This is because fuel injection utilizes modern electronic technology, leading to safe and efficient engine performance. Here are the advantages of fuel injection that you should know:

1. Faster engine response with the assistance of electronic technology.

2. Supports the engine to remain operational in any weather conditions, be it hot or cold.

3. Automatically stops fuel spraying during deceleration, thanks to the fuel injection system being equipped with automatic fuel cut.

4. Higher accuracy in supporting the car engine's emissions.

 

Read also: When Should You Replace Your Car's Fuel Filter? Here Are the Signs

 

 

Tips for Maintaining Fuel Injection

Fuel injection plays a crucial role in enhancing fuel efficiency, so it should be well-maintained. Here are some tips for caring for fuel injection to prevent damage:

 

1. Keep the fuel injection system clean, just like other components of the car. 

Regularly clean the throttle body, sensors, and filters to prevent the buildup of dirt that could disrupt the fuel injection system's performance.

 

2. Maintain the nozzle injector. 

Using low-quality fuel can lead to dirt that may clog the injector nozzles. To ensure optimal performance, the nozzle injector should be periodically cleaned by spraying a cleaning fluid into the gas tank. This mixture of gasoline and cleaning fluid will help remove the dirt clogging the injector nozzles.

 

3. Clean the sensors. 

The fuel injection system contains around 5 to 10 sensors, including the nozzle injector, ignition sensor, coolant temperature sensor, idle sensor, and others. All these sensors have cables connected to the ECU, making them easy to inspect.

 

4. Measure carbon monoxide levels. 

You can measure this using an engine analyzer to determine the combustion process in the engine. For an ideal combustion process, the carbon monoxide level should be below 1 percent. If the result exceeds 1 percent, you should readjust the fuel supply, ignition, and air systems of the car.

 

5. Check the car battery regularly. 

A faulty battery can lead to suboptimal electrical supply and ECU performance.

 

That's the information about the function, components, advantages, and tips for maintaining fuel injection. Fuel injection also offers other benefits, such as being more environmentally friendly, having better fuel efficiency, and being easier to maintain. The engine runs more powerfully since fuel is mixed accurately and uniformly in the right proportion. Moreover, the fuel injection system continues to function well even when tackling steep inclines and rough terrain. With the help of this system, you no longer need to worry when driving through challenging terrains.

 

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