What is Needed for an Efficient Engine?
For an engine to operate efficiently it needs to have:
•Air
•Fuel
•Spark
•In the right time
This is also referred to being “in tune”.
Why is “Air” Important?
Modern engines are designed to have a specific amount of air to be delivered in the proper “shape” for efficient combustion.
If too much air is delivered the engine runs “lean” and hot and with less power.
If too little air is delivered the engine runs “rich” and cooler which wastes fuel and shortens catalytic converter life - $$$.
If the air is delivered in an inefficient “shape” because of valve deposits there is less efficient combustion – increased emissions, decreased power and increased fuel costs.
What Causes Inefficient Air Flow into an Engine?
1.Dirty air filter – restricts air into the engine
2.Dirty mass air flow sensor – causes the engine’s computer to operate without accurate data to adjust operation
3.Dirty throttle plate that restricts its operation – the throttle plate controls air into the engine
4.Air intake deposits – restrict and change the shape of the air charge into the engine
What Causes Inefficient Fuel Delivery into an Engine?
1. Improper octane levels being used for the engine design – cheap fuel ain’t cheap
2. Dirty fuel injectors
3. Dirty oxygen sensors that cause the engine’s computer to receive incorrect data for adjusting the amount of fuel sprayed into a cylinder
The Impact of Ethanol and Oil on the Efficient Combustion of Fuel
Ethanol (alcohol) is put into gasoline to increase the oxygen in the fuel blend to make it burn cleaner
The ethanol helps to keep the injectors and combustion chamber cleaner
The ethanol gets into your oil past the oil control rings (blow-by)
Ethanol in the oil causes oxidation/breakdown of the oil’s additive package and the oil breakdown results in deposits in the air intake.
All Mechanical Systems Operate More Efficiently When Clean
Deposits in any system will cause the system to become less efficient. Dirt and sludge within the lubrication system of the engine will cause restrictions in the lubrication and increase the coefficient of friction. The result will be more friction, more heat, more wear on metal surfaces, more damage to seals, more drag and less efficiency (higher fuel costs).
Deposits in the air intake of the system will cause restrictions in air flow allowing less air to flow into the engine. Deposits will also cause inefficient airflow "shape" or turbulence into the engine that will cause less efficient combustion of the fuel charge in the engine.
Deposits in the fuel system will cause insufficient fuel spray or an inefficient fuel pattern causing fuel to be unburned and to be exhausted into the catalytic converter.
Inefficient fuel combustion will often lead to raw fuel being in the exhaust to be burned by the catalytic converter. Over time this will overwhelm the catalytic converter and cause it to fail. Catalytic converter failure results is an expensive repair because of the precious metals used as the catalyst to burn the fuel in the exhaust.
So the bottom line is that deposits build up in the oil, air and fuel systems of even the best vehicle overtime and they need to be cleaned.
What Does a Wise Vehicle Owner to Maintain a Clean Operating Engine?
The primary thing that a wise vehicle owner does is to use a Top Tier fuel in their engine to the octane level required for that engine.
What is Top Tier fuel? The US EPA has created standards for gasoline. A Top Tier fuel has an additive package in the fuel that meets certain standards for detergents to keep the injectors, and all of the components that the fuel is sprayed on clean.
Don't confuse the octane levels with fuel quality. Higher compression engines will need higher octane (the higher the octane the harder the fuel is to burn). Always use the octane level recommended for your engine but focus more on the additive package for engine cleanliness.
The second most important thing that you can do for your engine is to use the motor oil specified for your engine. You will create the most deposits and wear in your engine by using a motor oil that is below the specifications for your engine.
A wise vehicle owner will use a full synthetic oil and changes it every 5,000 to 7,000 miles.
Even an engine that is well taken care of will need maintenance over time. The following are the recommendations to properly maintain your engine:
If you follow this maintenance practice you will maintain your engine in a proper state of tune, enjoy the power the engine was designed for, maintain the engine efficiency (save on fuel expenses), minimize the risk of expensive engine repair and maintain the asset value represented by your vehicle.
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