Katerina Swanson
Fuel injection is the process of introducing fuel into an internal combustion engine, usually a car engine, via a fuel injector. All modern vehicles come with fuel injection systems, and fuel injectors have been the primary means of getting fuel into the engine cylinder since the early 1990s. The number of fuel injectors in a car depends on the number of cylinders in the engine. For example, a four-cylinder engine will have one injector per cylinder, while a V8 engine may have four or more injectors per cylinder. The first mass-produced petrol direct injection system for passenger cars was introduced in the 1997 Mitsubishi 6G74 V6 engine.
Characteristics and Values of Cars with Fuel Injectors
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Fuel injection is the introduction of fuel in an internal combustion engine, most commonly automotive engines, by the means of a fuel injector. |
| Types of fuel injection systems | Multi-point injection (port injection), single-point injection (throttle-body injection), direct injection, carburetor-equipped, throttle body fuel injection, multi-port fuel injection (port, multi-point or sequential fuel injection) |
| How it works | Fuel injectors deliver the gas or diesel fuel to the right place, in the right amount at the right time—to be mixed with air and burned in the engine. |
| Number of fuel injectors | There is one fuel injector for each cylinder. So, four, six or eight for most cars. Some vehicles have 10 or 12 cylinders. |
| Fuel injector maintenance | To keep fuel injectors working well, it is recommended to use high-quality fuel and replace the fuel filter as per the manufacturer's recommendation. |
| First mass-produced passenger car with fuel injection | The first mass-produced diesel engine for passenger cars was the Mercedes-Benz OM 138, available in the late 1930s and early 1940s. The first mass-produced petrol engine with fuel injection was the 1997 Mitsubishi 6G74 V6 engine. |
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What You'll Learn
History of fuel injection in cars
Fuel injection systems were developed early in the history of the internal combustion engine, but they did not enter the automotive market until the 1950s. During World War II, money and resources were poured into exploring innovations in the hope that any technical improvement would lead to an advantage over the enemy. This resulted in the first major use of fuel injection in aircraft.
In 1952, the Goliath GP700 became the first car with fuel injection. In 1954, the Mercedes-Benz Formula 1 team fitted its "Silver Arrow" W196 racecar with Bosch direct injection derived from the system used in the Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter plane from World War II. The first cars known to use an electronic fuel injection (EFI) system were the 1958 Chrysler 300D, DeSoto Adventurer, Dodge D-500, and Plymouth Fury, which offered the Electrojector system. By the 1970s, fuel injection was appearing in mainstream cars.
In the 1980s, increased computing power and smaller sizes of EFI modules allowed for better control in the fuel injection system and a more consistent performance when it was used in engine design. At the same time, automakers were struggling to design carburetor technology that could keep up with clean air demands. It was simpler and more efficient to switch to electronic fuel injection, from both a design and performance standpoint. The biggest contributor to the success of fuel injection systems in the 1980s was the reduced emissions compared to carburetor designs.
Since the mid-1990s, it has been impossible to buy a new car without fuel injection in Europe (all newly introduced engines have had to be fuel-injected since 1992). Today, all cars are fitted with electronically controlled fuel injection, which operates using a wide array of data sent to the control unit from various sensors.
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How fuel injectors work
Fuel injectors are an essential component of a car's engine fuel delivery system. They are responsible for delivering the right amount of fuel at the right time. The injector itself atomises the fuel as it goes into the cylinder, allowing it to burn. This creates a better mixture and a more efficient combustion.
The fuel injector is connected to an Electronic Control Unit (ECU), which regulates the fuel injection process. The ECU controls the opening and closing of the solenoid valve to inject the fuel in the high-pressure fuel rail into the combustion chamber to ensure efficient combustion. When the injector is triggered, the solenoid opens, allowing the fuel to flow through the nozzle and into the engine's combustion chamber. The fuel injectors, connected to the fuel rail, carry fuel from the fuel tank to the injectors. The fuel injectors read data from sensors to determine how much fuel needs to be injected into the engine.
There are two main types of control for multi-port systems. The first is when the fuel injectors all open at the same time. The second is sequential multi-port fuel injection, where each injector opens just before the intake valve for its cylinder opens. The advantage of sequential fuel injection is that if the driver makes a sudden change, the system can respond more quickly.
There are three basic types of fuel injection used in cars: throttle body injection (TBI), port or multi-port fuel injection (MFI), and direct injection. TBI disappeared from new vehicles after the 1990s, so MFI and direct injection are the types of fuel injection you'll find in modern cars. All modern diesel engines use direct injection, while gasoline direct injection (GDI) has become increasingly common in recent years.
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Different types of fuel injection systems
Fuel injection systems have become increasingly common in cars since the 1930s, largely replacing carburetor motors. The primary difference between carburetors and fuel injection systems is that fuel injection atomizes the fuel through a small nozzle under high pressure, while carburetors rely on suction created by intake air. Modern fuel injection systems are controlled electronically and are much more accurate, allowing them to meet strict emission standards.
There are two main functional principles of mixture formation systems for internal combustion engines: internal and external. A fuel injection system that uses external mixture formation is called a manifold injection system, which mixes air and fuel outside the combustion chamber. There are two types of manifold injection systems: multi-point (or port) and single-point (or throttle body) injection.
Single-point injection is the simplest and earliest type of fuel injection, replacing the carburetor with one or two fuel-injector nozzles in the throttle body. This system is more precise than a carburetor and was a low-cost way for automakers to reduce exhaust emissions. However, it is now considered below eco-standards as the break of a single nozzle can cause the whole system to fail.
Multi-point injection, also called port injection, devotes a separate injector nozzle to each cylinder, right outside its intake port. This ensures that the fuel vapor is almost always entirely drawn into the cylinder. This system meters fuel more precisely than single-point injection, improving the desired air-fuel ratio and related aspects. Sequential fuel injection, also called sequential port fuel injection (SPFI) or timed injection, is a type of multi-point injection that triggers each injector nozzle independently, improving fuel economy and emissions.
Direct injection takes the fuel injection concept further by injecting fuel directly into the combustion chambers, past the valves. This type of injection is more common in diesel engines but is starting to appear in gasoline engine designs. Common-rail injection, a variety of direct injection, is the most common system in modern automotive engines. In a common-rail system, fuel from the fuel tank is supplied to a common header (accumulator) and then sent through tubing to the injectors, which inject it into the combustion chambers.
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How to know how many fuel injectors a car has
Fuel injection is the introduction of fuel in an internal combustion engine, most commonly automotive engines, by the means of a fuel injector. All compression-ignition engines (e.g. diesel engines) and many spark-ignition engines (i.e. petrol (gasoline) engines) use fuel injection.
If you want to find out how many fuel injectors your car has, the easiest way is to check how many cylinders your car engine has. The number of cylinders will determine the number of fuel injectors your car will need. For instance, if you have a four-cylinder engine, you will need four fuel injectors.
If you have an older car, you can check for a code on the vehicle's computer system (called the PCM or powertrain control module). The code should tell you how many cylinders your car has. Alternatively, you can check your model on your car manufacturer's official website to view the detailed specifications for your car. If your car uses overhead cams instead of pushrods, it likely has two or four cylinders. If your car is a V6 or V8, look at the number of spark plugs (two or four). If it's an inline six-cylinder and has three plugs per bank instead of two, then it probably has six cylinders. You can also count the exhaust pipes coming out of each side of your engine block.
Another way to identify the right fuel injector for your car is to look at the part number stamped on the side of the injector. You can then type the number into a search box to find the right injector. If you know your engine code or name, you can also use this to search for the correct fuel injector.
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Maintaining fuel injectors
Fuel injectors are used in almost all modern cars to introduce fuel into an internal combustion engine. They have been in use since the 1950s, with the Chrysler 300D, DeSoto Adventurer, Dodge D-500, and Plymouth Fury offering the first electronic fuel injection (EFI) systems in 1958. Today, all cars sold in the United States feature fuel injection systems.
To keep your fuel injectors in good condition, it is important to maintain them regularly. Here are some tips to help you maintain your fuel injectors:
- Clean the injectors regularly: Over time, fuel injectors can become clogged with carbon deposits, affecting their performance. It is recommended to use a fuel injector cleaning kit or service to clean them periodically.
- Use high-quality fuel: Using high-quality, top-tier gasoline can help keep your fuel injectors in good condition. Higher-quality fuel tends to have better detergents and can help prevent carbon deposits from building up.
- Fuel injector additives: Using fuel injector additives can help clean and lubricate the injectors, improving their performance and longevity.
- Replace old spark plugs: Old spark plugs can cause misfires, which can lead to fuel injector issues. Replacing your spark plugs as recommended by your car manufacturer can help prevent this.
- Regular engine maintenance: Regular engine maintenance, such as changing the engine oil and air filters at the recommended intervals, can help keep your fuel injectors in good condition.
- Use a fuel stabilizer: If you store your car for extended periods, consider using a fuel stabilizer to prevent the fuel from breaking down and causing issues with the fuel injectors.
- Seek professional help: If you notice any issues with your fuel injectors, such as rough idling, decreased fuel efficiency, or engine misfires, seek professional assistance. A qualified mechanic can diagnose and address any issues with your fuel injectors.
By following these maintenance tips, you can help ensure that your fuel injectors remain in good working condition, optimizing engine performance and fuel efficiency.
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Frequently asked questions
A fuel injector is a valve that delivers the right amount of gas or diesel fuel to the right place at the right time so that it can be mixed with air and burned in the engine.
All modern vehicles come with fuel injectors. The first mass-produced passenger cars with fuel injectors were the 1997 Mitsubishi 6G74 V6 engine and the 1999 Alfa Romeo 156 1.9 JTD model. The 1990 Subaru Justy was the last car sold in the United States without a fuel injector.
The number of fuel injectors in a car depends on the number of cylinders in the engine. A four-cylinder engine will have one injector per cylinder, a V6 engine will have two injectors per cylinder, and a V8 engine might have four or more injectors per cylinder.
There are several types of fuel injection systems, including single-point injection (also known as throttle-body injection), multi-point injection (also known as port injection), and direct injection. Single-point injection uses one injector in a throttle body, while multi-point injection uses multiple fuel injectors or tubes with poppet valves fed by a central injector. Direct injection sprays fuel directly into the cylinder or combustion chamber.
The best way to keep your fuel injectors clean is to use high-quality fuel from major brands, as they have better detergents and additives. It is also important to replace the fuel filter when recommended by the manufacturer and to consider using fuel injector cleaning products.
