Islamic University of Technology
Lab Report
Course Code: ME-4782
Course Title: Automotive Technology Lab
Experiment Number: 2
Experiment Title: Study of the fuel supply system and EFI system.
Name: Nifat Mouddit Nizhum
Student ID: 200011119
Department: MPE
Proggrame: ME
Date of Experiment: 23-09-2024
Date of Submission: 02-09-2024
1 Theory
In order to get the fuel-air mixture to the engine’s combustion chambers, elec-
tronic fuel injection (EFI) systems use fuel injectors that are controlled by elec-
tronics instead of the more conventional carburettors. These systems reduce fuel
waste and incomplete combustion by providing better fuel atomisation. While
continuously monitoring engine characteristics like speed, throttle position, air
temperature, and oxygen levels, EFI systems also provide fine control over fuel
injection. By modifying the air-fuel ratio and injection timing in response to
engine temperature, they improve cold start performance and make starting the
engine easier and smoother in cold weather. By improving combustion efficiency
and decreasing emissions of harmful gasses including nitrogen oxides, carbon
monoxide, and hydrocarbons, EFI systems help reduce emissions from internal
combustion engines.
2 Elements that make up an EFI system
1. Fuel Injectors: This part is electronically controlled as the fuel injector,
which is responsible for spraying a thin mist of fuel into the combustion
chambers. The number of injectors is directly proportional to the engine’s
cylinder count. The engine control unit (ECU) uses data from a number
of sensors to accurately measure and timing the injection of gasoline.
2. Intake Manifold: It controls intake manifold pressure, which is account-
able for delivering the air-fuel combination to every cylinder. For optimal
fuel delivery to the combustion chambers, fuel injectors in EFI systems are
usually situated in the intake manifold close to the intake ports.
3. Fuel Pump: This transfers pressurized petrol from the tank to the in-
jectors. Typically, the ECU regulates an electronic pump that supplies
gasoline in EFI systems. For reliable gasoline supply, it keeps the internal
fuel pressure constant.
4. Fuel Rail: Fuel rail is a manifold or metal pipe that carries pressurized
gasoline to all of the fuel injectors. It takes petrol from the fuel pump and
pumps it at the correct pressure to the injectors.
5. Fuel Pressure Regulator: This keeps the fuel rail pressure constant. It
keeps the fuel pressure within the specified range by regulating the surplus
fuel that flows back to the tank from the injectors.
6. Engine Control Unit (ECU): The ECU is the main element for con-
trolling the EFI system. In order to find the best fuel-air combination and
combustion timing, it takes data from a number of sensors. By regulating
the fuel injectors’ opening and shutting, the ECU modifies the fuel supply.
7. Sensors: The ECU receives real-time data from a variety of sensors used
by EFI systems to keep tabs on the engine’s operating parameters. A
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number of sensors are part of this system, and they include the following:
throttle position sensor (TPS), mass airflow sensor (MAF), coolant tem-
perature sensor (CTS), oxygen sensor (O2), and crankshaft position sensor
(CKP). The ECU is able to determine the correct fuel injection settings
with the use of the data collected by these sensors.
3 Electronic Control Unit – Sensors
1. Intake air temperature sensor: The density of air varies with tem-
perature, so changes in temperature could affect the ratio of air to fuel
(remember this ratio is by mass). A sensor in the air intake senses the
temperature of the air entering the engine.
2. Atmosphere pressure sensor: The mass of air varies with altitude, and
also to some extent with weather conditions. Signals sent to the ECU allow
it to adjust the fuel quantity to suit the density of air.
3. Coolant temperature sensor: The engine needs a richer mixture when
starting and when cold. Signals from this sensor allow the ECU to make
suitable adjustments.
4. Engine RPM sensor: This sends the engine speed to the ECU. Changes
in engine speed indicate changes in engine load and the ECU can make
adjustments for this. It can provide a slightly richer mixture when the
engine is under load, or a slightly leaner one with reduced load. The ECU
also adjusts the ignition timing to suit the engine speed.
5. Knock sensor: This sensor, affixed to the engine block, detects engine
detonation. Under specific operational conditions, irregular combustion
within the combustion chamber may lead to detonation, or knocking, which
poses a risk to the mechanism. Upon detecting detonation, the ECU re-
sponds by retarding the ignition to mitigate the issue and/or delivering a
more enhanced fuel mixture.
6. Vacuum sensor: This is used in the intake system to sense the manifold
pressure.
7. Oxygen sensor: This sensor can identify the presence of oxygen in the
exhaust gasses and is situated in the exhaust manifold. If the air-fuel ratio
is just right, the combustion process will be efficient, and the exhaust gasses
will contain almost no oxygen. When dealing with subpar combustion,
oxygen is going to be around. A closed-loop system includes this sensor,
data to the electronic control unit (ECU), which then conducts regular
fuel adjustments proportions to the mixture or the spark as needed. Fuel
economy and engine performance are both enhanced as a consequence.
8. Mass Airflow Sensor (MAF): The mass airflow sensor measures the
amount of air entering the engine. It provides data to the engine control
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unit (ECU) to determine the appropriate fuel-to-air ratio for combustion.
The MAF sensor helps ensure efficient engine operation and fuel economy.
4 Assignment Questions
1. Advantages of using an EFI system over a traditional carburetor system:
• Improved Fuel Efficiency: EFI precisely controls fuel delivery, opti-
mizing fuel use.
• Better Performance: Provides consistent air-fuel mixture, improving
engine response and power.
• Easier Cold Starts: Automatically adjusts for temperature, aiding
smooth cold starts.
• Lower Emissions: More efficient fuel combustion leads to reduced
emissions.
• Less Maintenance: EFI systems are more reliable with fewer mechan-
ical components to service.
• Adaptability: Automatically adjusts for altitude, air pressure, and
load changes.
2. ECU and its purpose:
The Engine Control Unit (ECU) is a central computer that controls var-
ious aspects of a vehicle’s engine operation. The system analyses data
collected from various sensors within the engine and vehicle, encompassing
measurements related to temperature, air pressure, and throttle position.
With this information, the ECU modifies essential parameters like fuel
injection, ignition timing, and air-fuel mixture to enhance performance.
The primary purposes of the ECU are to enhance engine efficiency, im-
prove fuel economy, and reduce emissions. The system guarantees optimal
engine performance across diverse conditions through real-time modifica-
tions. The ECU also oversees the engine for any faults, recording diag-
nostic codes that can be retrieved during maintenance, and contributes to
the management of safety features such as traction control and anti-lock
brakes.
3. In an Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) system, the fuel injectors are typi-
cally located in the intake manifold, near the engine’s intake valves. The
injectors introduce fuel directly into the intake air stream, facilitating its
mixing with air prior to entering the combustion chamber. In certain sys-
tems, such as direct fuel injection, the injectors are positioned directly
within the combustion chamber, allowing for the delivery of fuel straight
into the cylinder, which facilitates more precise fuel control. The specific
location may differ based on the kind of EFI system, whether it is multi-
point or direct injection.
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4. Upon pressing the accelerator in an EFI system, the throttle position sensor
identifies the alteration and communicates this information to the Engine
Control Unit (ECU). The ECU subsequently modulates the fuel injection
quantity into the engine through the regulation of the fuel injectors. At
the same time, it enhances the air intake by widening the throttle valve.
This guarantees the appropriate air-fuel mixture to meet the heightened
demand, resulting in enhanced power and acceleration. The ECU per-
sistently analyzes data from multiple sensors to ensure peak performance
throughout the acceleration process.
5. Coolant Temperature Sensor: The Engine Control Unit (ECU) relies
on the coolant temperature sensor to keep tabs on the coolant’s temper-
ature. Its primary role is to monitor engine temperature and use that
information to control fuel injection, ignition timing, and the operation of
the cooling fan. To facilitate starting when cold, the sensor tells the ECU
to provide more fuel to the air-fuel mixture; when the engine becomes hot,
it changes the mixture to maximize fuel economy and minimize emissions.
Oxygen Sensor: The oxygen sensor quantifies the concentration of oxy-
gen present in the exhaust gasses and transmits this data to the ECU. The
purpose of this component is to maintain the appropriate air-fuel ratio,
which is generally about 14.7:1, to facilitate optimal combustion efficiency.
When the mixture is excessively rich (with an abundance of fuel) or ex-
cessively lean (with an excess of air), the ECU modifies the fuel delivery
to compensate. This facilitates the enhancement of performance, fuel ef-
ficiency, and emissions control by ensuring the optimal air-fuel mixture is
maintained across various driving conditions.
6. A vehicle’s fuel delivery system would not function properly without the
gasoline filter, which cleans the fuel of debris, rust, and other pollutants
before it reaches the engine. This keeps the engine running smoothly and
protects expensive parts like fuel pumps and injectors from dirt and de-
bris by ensuring that only clean fuel reaches the combustion chamber and
injectors. By keeping the gasoline filter clean, you can keep your engine
running smoothly, get better gas mileage, extend the life of your engine,
and lessen the likelihood of clogs and expensive repairs caused by dirty
fuel.
7. An Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) system uses a network of sensors to
monitor critical engine parameters in real-time, such as air intake, engine
temperature, throttle position, and oxygen levels in the exhaust. Key
sensors include the Mass Air Flow (MAF) or Manifold Absolute Pressure
(MAP) sensor, which measures the amount of air entering the engine, and
the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS), which detects the driver’s acceleration
input. Other sensors like the Coolant Temperature Sensor and Oxygen
Sensor (O2 sensor) provide data on engine temperature and exhaust gas
composition. These sensors continuously send data to the Engine Control
Unit (ECU).
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Based on this data, the ECU determines the best air-fuel ratio for efficient
combustion. To make sure the engine’s intake manifold or combustion
chamber gets the correct quantity of fuel, it modifies the fuel supply by
regulating the fuel injectors. This adaptive tuning keeps the engine running
smoothly in all kinds of situations, which boosts performance, decreases
emissions, and improves fuel economy.
8. Fuel injectors are critical components in electronic fuel injection (EFI)
systems, responsible for delivering precise amounts of fuel to the engine.
These devices atomize liquid fuel into a fine mist and spray it directly into
the engine’s intake manifold or combustion chamber. The engine control
unit (ECU) precisely controls when injectors open and for how long, based
on various sensor inputs. This allows for extremely accurate fuel metering,
often measured in milliseconds of spray duration.
Fuel is broken down into little droplets by injectors’ high-pressure spray,
which improves mixing with air and combustion efficiency. For the most
efficient fuel delivery throughout the combustion cycle, injectors may be
set up to work in tandem with the engine’s valve timing. In order to
maximise performance, fuel efficiency, and emissions under varying cir-
cumstances, the ECU may real-time modify the length and timing of the
injectors. Engine efficiency, power production, and emissions management
are all enhanced by this degree of accuracy and flexibility, which is a huge
improvement over conventional carburettor systems.
9. The key differences between EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) fuel injectors
and diesel engine fuel injectors are:
(a) Pressure: Diesel injectors operate at much higher pressures (up to
30,000 psi) than EFI injectors (typically 30-2,000 psi).
(b) Fuel and timing: Diesel injectors spray heavier fuel directly into the
combustion chamber during compression, while EFI typically injects
gasoline into the intake port.
(c) Construction and design: Diesel injectors are more robust, with com-
plex nozzle designs for finer atomization, to handle higher pressures
and less volatile fuel.
(d) Control and precision: Diesel systems often use hydraulic or piezoelec-
tric actuation for more precise control, with shorter, more accurately
timed injections.
10. Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) systems improve fuel efficiency and engine
performance by accurately metering fuel delivery based on real-time engine
conditions, resulting in optimal air-fuel ratios, increased power output, and
reduced emissions. EFI also provides consistent cold starts and smoother
engine operation, compensating for environmental conditions more effec-
tively than a carburetor.
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EFI systems offer a major advantage in modern vehicles due to their ability
to meet stricter emission standards, improve driveability, eliminate com-
mon carburetor issues, and provide better diagnostic capabilities through
integration with the engine control unit (ECU). These systems offer supe-
rior performance, efficiency, and environmental benefits, making them the
preferred choice for modern vehicles.
5 Discussion
In order to comprehend contemporary vehicle technology and engine per-
formance, it is crucial to conduct laboratory studies of fuel delivery sys-
tems and Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) systems. Analysing components,
operating systems, using diagnostic tools, testing performance, and trou-
bleshooting are all common topics covered in this lab. Learners get their
hands dirty dissecting both conventional and electronic fuel injection (EFI)
systems, seeing how the latter track and fine-tune fuel supply in real-time,
and interpreting sensor data with the use of scan tools and oscilloscopes.
The benefits of electronic fuel injection (EFI) systems are better under-
stood by students once they compare them to conventional carburettors,
simulate typical problems, and compare the emissions, power output, and
efficiency of the two. In order to prepare future automotive engineers and
technicians for an industry that is more computerised and efficiency-driven,
this practical experience highlights the significance of electronic control in
achieving optimal engine performance across different operating conditions
and the importance of precise fuel delivery.
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Automobile Engineering LAB (ME 4782)
Pre-work of Experiment 2
October 1, 2024
Nifat Mouddit Nizhum
Student ID : 200011119
Programme : Mechanical Engineering
Study of the fuel supply system and EFI system.
1. What is EFI?
Ans: EFI refers to the practice of electronically injecting petrol into the combus-
tion chamber, which is used by modern internal combustion engines. Electronic
fuel injection (EFI) systems are replacing older carburettor ones because they
provide more precise regulation of fuel flow, which in turn improves engine per-
formance, decreases pollution, and increases fuel economy.
2. What is the air-fuel ratio and why is it important?
Ans: The air-to-fuel ratio (AFR) is the combination of air and fuel used in
an internal combustion engine. This regulates the quantity of pollutants and
the combustion efficiency, both of which are crucial. Petrol has an optimal air-
fuel ratio (AFR) of roughly 14.7:1 for full combustion, which maximises power
production, makes effective use of petrol fuels, and produces minimum pollutants.
3. What is rich mixture, lean mixture, and stoichiometric mixture?
Ans: Rich mixture:Poor combustion is usually the result of an AFR lower
than 14.7:1, which is the gas ratio needed for full combustion. This kind of
scenario has the potential to increase material substance emissions into the air
while simultaneously leading to quicker performance and lower mileage.
Lean mixture: An engine mixture where the air-to-fuel ratio is more than
14.7:1, according to the stoichiometric ratio. While running with a lower mixture
might improve fuel economy, it also increases engine temperature, which can cause
damage and banging.
Stoichiometric mixture:To achieve full combustion with minimum emissions,
the correct method of mixing air and fuel is critical. An example is the perfect
gasoline ratio at 14.7:1.
4. What is the purpose of the fuel supply system in an internal combustion engine?
Ans: The fuel supply system of an internal combustion engine is in charge of
storing, straining, and delivering the exact amount of gasoline to the combus-
tion chamber at precisely the correct pressure and at precisely the right instant.
The engine is guaranteed to obtain the optimal mixes for effective combustion
regardless of the operating circumstances, thanks to this.
5. Name the main parts in an EFI system.
Ans: The main parts of an EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) system include:
• Fuel pump
• Fuel injectors
• Throttle body
• Engine Control Unit (ECU)
• Fuel pressure regulator
• Sensors (such as the oxygen sensor, throttle position sensor, manifold absolute
pressure sensor)
• Air intake system
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