The fuel system of a car consists of various components and parts that can perform similar functions. For the engine to operate, a fuel supply system is needed, and the solution to such problems is to install a carburetor or injector. Although these devices have fundamental differences in design, their task is to prepare a combustible mixture. Depending on the car model, one of these systems is installed, and it is quite simple to find out the difference between an injector and a carburetor.
Carburetor design
Carburetor - is the simplest type of device for supplying and spraying gasoline. The process of mixing fuel with air is performed mechanically, and adjusting the supply of the mixture requires careful adjustment. Thanks to the use of simple mechanisms, the carburetor system is easy to maintain. An experienced motorist can perform such repairs independently, which provides certain advantages in operation. For such operations, it is not difficult to purchase a repair kit, and all work is carried out with standard tools available in the car.
The carburetor is located on the intake manifold, and its design consists of a float and mixing chambers. To supply fuel, a spray tube is used, connecting the chambers to each other. Fuel is supplied to the float chamber using a gasoline pump, and a stable supply of gasoline is ensured by a needle filter and a float. The mixing chamber is also called the air chamber and consists of a diffuser, atomizer and throttle valve. When the pistons move, a vacuum is created, which ensures the suction of atmospheric air and gasoline. This mixing ensures stable engine operation.
Injector device
Injector - has a more advanced fuel supply control system. All operations are monitored by an electronic system. Such equipment calculates with high accuracy the portion of fuel required for engine operation. To determine the required flow rate, readings are taken from many vehicle sensors, and the microcontroller instantly makes the necessary calculation. To understand which is better, a carburetor or an injector, it is worth comparing their design and giving preference to a more practical model.
Fuel is supplied to the injector using special nozzles. This principle of operation differs from carburetor injection, and almost all modern cars are equipped with it. Fuel injection into the air flow is automatic and depends on the engine operating mode. The nozzle itself opens due to the action of an electromagnet, and closes using a spring. In such a system, constant pressure is maintained by a special valve on the ramp, which discharges excess fuel.
Depending on the make of the car and the characteristics of the engine, the following injector connection options can be used:
- Single-point (mono-injection);
- Multipoint (distributed);
- Direct (direct injection).
Such a system requires precise injection control and depends on the quality of the fuel. For such purposes, the injector uses an electronic control unit that coordinates the supply of gasoline with driving conditions.
Historical excursion
The first liquid carburetor operating on the principle of evaporation was created in 1872, according to other sources - in 1876. And 20 years later (1893), the Italian Donat Banki developed a device based on the spraying of gasoline. Gradually improving and acquiring various systems, it existed on automobile engines for almost a century.
The injector's pedigree dates back to the same times. As early as 1902, the engines of the French engineer and racing driver Levasseur contained some elements of mechanical fuel injection.
The idea was borrowed by aviation designers interested in the fact that the operation of the injector does not depend on gravity. By the end of the Second World War, injection engines appeared on some aircraft of the warring parties, including the USSR.
The Mercedes-Benz 300SL (“Seagull Wing”) received mechanical forced injection for the first time on a production car in 1954. And electronically controlled fuel injection was tested by the Italians even before the war.
Since the 80s of the last century, injection gasoline engines have become widespread due to the advent of affordable electronic components for creating electronic engine control systems . Carburetor engines are practically never found on modern cars, except for some racing cars.
Fundamental differences between a carburetor and an injector
The carburetor's job is to prepare and supply the air-fuel mixture necessary for engine operation. Moreover, such a mixture is supplied regardless of the engine operating mode. This fuel supply system is characterized by high consumption and severe atmospheric pollution by exhaust gases.
You can determine the difference between an injector and a carburetor by studying their operating principle and the main differences. The engine, equipped with an injector, receives fuel in a precisely calculated dosage, eliminating overconsumption. The use of such technology has not only an economic effect. The power of an engine operating under the control of an injector increases by an average of 10%. The vehicle's driving dynamics also improve, which has a positive effect on its handling.
Reviews from people
Mikhail Volkov: “A friend advised me to install an injector, but I was scared off by the fact that repairing it is expensive, so I ended up installing an old carburetor. I regretted it within a week. There is a terrible smell of exhaust gases in the car, there is a constant overflow. In general, I should have listened to the advice. Now my 21 07 has a modern injector.”
Zakhar Magomaev: “I live in a village and a decent service station is far away. I decided to install an injector for myself only for the reason that it can be easily installed; I take care of it and clean it myself. If it were a carburetor, I’m afraid it would be difficult to drive into the city. The option installed in my car constantly has to be cleaned, but I do it myself, without outside help.”
Timofey Zlatoustov: “The car should drive well, and even if investments are needed in it, they should not be constant. I have never regretted that I installed an injection engine. I've been driving it for 3 years now. Once every 120,000 km. I clean the filter and that’s it.”
Daniil Skolkov: “The injector and carburetor seem to perform the same function, but on the road they behave completely differently. My friend had an old model, which is only installed on ancient cars, but I have an injector. After I switched from mine to a friend’s car, I felt the difference. Firstly, there is a terrible smell in the cabin; it is very difficult to stay in a closed space for a long time. Also, fuel overflow, the % of which is high. My car started the third time and all this time gasoline was supplied in the usual volume. In general, problems begin in these little things. Personally, I wouldn’t trade a proven modern injection engine for anything!”
Advantages of a carburetor
The carburetor fuel supply system has undergone decades of testing and has the right to count on the attention of drivers. Its main advantage is the ability to repair it in almost any unforeseen situation far from a service center. The advantages and differences of this technology are easy to see from the following indicators:
- Lower cost of the device and its operating costs;
- Lack of carbon deposits and relative undemanding requirements for fuel;
- Easy to repair and low cost of services;
- Using the engine to suck in fuel.
The carburetor is sensitive to temperature conditions. Extreme heat or freezing temperatures can make it difficult to start the engine. It is worth noting that the carburetor is considered an outdated technology and does not meet EURO 3 requirements.
Injector advantages
Modern electronic fuel delivery systems are superior to carburetors in many ways. In this case, stable engine operation extends the life of the equipment and makes repairs rare. A significant difference between a carburetor and an injector can be seen in the advantages of the electronic system.
- Optimal fuel composition for any engine mode;
- High reliability of the automatic injection system;
- Better handling when speed increases;
- Insensitivity to negative temperatures;
- Advantages in power and moderate fuel consumption.
The injector has proven itself in various operating conditions. Such equipment is sensitive to the quality of fuel and questionable gas stations should be avoided. Repairing an injector is expensive, but given its service life and reliability, this system is preferable to a carburetor.
Choosing between two types
Oddly enough, it is impossible to say for sure which is better: an injector or a carburetor. In this matter, you need to focus on your preferences and what exactly you want to get from the car. If you live far from the city and a service station, then it is much more practical to give preference to a used car with a classic power system. In the event of a breakdown, using the simplest tools and experience, you will quickly fix the breakdown and move on. And if you don’t have skills in such repairs, they will quickly appear, since there is nothing super complicated about it.
But if the injector breaks down, there is only one way - to a service station, where a professional diagnostician can use a computer to find the fault.
As a rule, such stations are present in fairly large cities, and if the breakdown is serious, then there is a possibility that the car will not reach its destination under its own power. In this regard, the advantage of a carburetor is obvious, but this nuance is relevant only for those who often travel far from the city or even live in the wilderness.
If you are an average city resident, then you don’t need more than reliability and maintainability. Here, car services are located at every step and there is no particular reason to worry. Therefore, buying a classic car and suffering in the morning starting and warming up the engine is definitely not worth it. Given the modern pace of life, the morning commute to work will take you too much time.
Selecting the optimal fuel supply system
Thinking about the difference between an injector and a carburetor, many motorists come to the conclusion that the electronic system is much more reliable. However, re-equipping any car is not economically profitable and will only lead to unnecessary costs. The decision to choose a more economical system is important when buying a car. It’s quite easy to understand the difference between an injector and a carburetor, and such knowledge will definitely come in handy.
The carburetor has already served its useful life in the modern car market. Despite its advantages, the use of an injector is most effective and meets all environmental requirements. Carburetor engines are used mainly on older cars, but this technology has proven itself and does not need modification. The use of an injector has considerable advantages and this system is installed without choice in any new car.
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How to distinguish an injection car from a carburetor
If you know what a carburetor looks like, then all you have to do is open the hood and look under it. But if you have no idea about it, then a number of signs will help you identify it:
- a new car sold at a car dealership is 100% fuel-injected;
- look at the nameplate at the rear of the car - for example, it says BMW 525i. This “i” is the designation of an injection car;
- year of car manufacture. Injectors began to be installed on foreign cars in the mid-90s, on domestic ones - from the beginning of the 2000s;
- The air filter housing is mounted directly on the carburetor. If you see air ducts (for example, black plastic corrugated boxes), then most likely you have an injection machine in front of you;
- If the indicators that light up on the dashboard when you turn the key contain a “Check Engine” indicator, then the car in front of you is fuel-injected.
