21/08/2024
Issue 002
Hello everyone! In today’s Bulletin, we’ll be looking at something that we can relate to our nose. Still haven’t got a clue? Like our body system, internal combustion engines also has air intake into the engine. Here’s how we can relate air intake to our nose;
- Air Filter – Nose Hair
- Throttle body Intake Valve – Nasal (Nose) Membrane
AIR FILTER
A car engine air filter is a crucial component that ensures your vehicle’s engine runs efficiently and smoothly. It traps dust, dirt, and other airborne particles, preventing them from entering the engine and causing damage. A clean air filter improves engine performance, enhances fuel efficiency, and reduces emissions, making it an essential part of regular vehicle maintenance.
What if, the wear off air filter aren’t change overtime? Let’s have a look at the video below;
Failing to replace a dirty engine air filter can lead to several problems:
1. Diminished Engine Performance
A clogged air filter limits the airflow to the engine, reducing power and acceleration. This makes it harder for the engine to “breathe”, resulting in sluggish performance.
Imagine this: You’re dealing with a cold. Your nose is blocked, and breathing becomes a struggle. This is exactly what happens to your engine when its air filter is clogged and dirty. An internal combustion engine needs a proper mix of air (oxygen) and fuel to function efficiently. If the engine isn’t getting enough air intake, it can cause problems, including a noticeable gasoline smell coming from the exhaust.
2. Lower Fuel Efficiency
Due to restricted airflow from air intake, the engine tends to burn more fuel to compensate the lack of air. Hence, it decreases fuel efficiency and increases your fuel expenses over time.
When the air filter in your engine is clogged, it restricts the amount of air that can enter the combustion chamber. An internal combustion engine relies on a precise mix of air and fuel to operate efficiently. When there’s not enough air due to a clogged filter, the engine compensates by burning more fuel to maintain the necessary power output. This imbalance leads to lower fuel efficiency because the engine is consuming more fuel than it normally would for the same amount of work. Over time, this not only increases your fuel costs but also puts additional strain on the engine. In the long run, this can lead to more significant issues, such as fouled spark plugs, higher emissions, and even potential engine damage, all of which contribute to increased maintenance costs.
3. Higher emissions
A dirty air filter can cause the engine to run with an overly rich fuel mixture, burning more fuel than necessary. This not only wastes fuel but also elevates harmful emissions, contributing to environmental pollution.
Dirty air filter restricts airflow to the engine, causing it to run on a rich fuel mixture—more fuel and less air than needed. This leads to incomplete combustion, increasing harmful emissions like carbon monoxide (CO). These pollutants contribute to environmental pollution and can damage the engine’s emission control systems, like the catalytic converter, leading to costly repairs. Regular maintenance helps prevent these issues and keeps emissions in check.
4. Potential Engine Damage
Over time, a clogged filter may allow dirt and debris to bypass it and enter the engine, causing wear on internal components. This can lead to expensive repairs or even engine failure.
A clogged air filter can allow dirt and debris to enter the engine, causing significant wear on critical components like cylinders, pistons, and bearings. This contamination can accelerate engine wear, leading to problems like reduced compression, oil leaks, and increased exhaust smoke. Over time, this damage can escalate, resulting in costly repairs or even total engine failure.
5. Spark Plug Issues
An improper air-fuel mixture due to a dirty air filter can cause spark plugs to foul, leading to ignition problems, rough idling, and difficulty starting the engine.
A dirty air filter disrupts the air-fuel mixture, causing the engine to run rich (too much fuel). This excess fuel leads to carbon buildup on the spark plugs, causing them to foul. Fouled spark plugs result in several problems such as Ignition Problems, Rough Idling, Difficulty Starting, Increased Emissions, Reduced Fuel Efficiency.
THROTTLE BODY
So, how does the engine’s throttle body has got to do with the filthy air filter? How does a filthy air filter affects throttle body’s performance?
A dirty air filter can have several impacts on throttle body performance:
Airflow Restriction: The primary function of an air filter is to clean the air entering the engine. When the filter becomes clogged with dirt and debris, it restricts the flow of air. The throttle body depends on a consistent and adequate airflow to regulate the air-fuel mixture. If the filter is dirty, less air reaches the engine, making it harder for the throttle body to maintain the correct air-fuel ratio.
Throttle Response Delay: The throttle body controls the amount of air that flows into the engine based on the driver’s input via the throttle pedal. With restricted airflow from a dirty filter, the throttle body may struggle to adjust the airflow properly. This can lead to a delayed or unresponsive throttle, where the engine doesn’t accelerate or decelerate as smoothly as expected.
Idle Irregularities: Proper airflow is crucial for maintaining a stable idle. A dirty air filter can cause the engine to receive an inconsistent amount of air, leading to unstable or rough idling. The throttle body may have difficulty regulating the idle speed, causing the engine to idle unevenly or too high/low.
Increased Fuel Consumption: When airflow is restricted, the engine’s control system may increase fuel delivery to compensate for the reduced air intake, trying to maintain the right air-fuel ratio. This can lead to higher fuel consumption and reduced fuel efficiency. Over time, this can contribute to increased operational costs and more frequent refueling.
Engine Performance Issues: A consistent reduction in airflow can lead to incomplete combustion, where the engine doesn’t burn fuel as efficiently. This can result in reduced power output and overall engine performance. Additionally, over time, the restricted airflow can cause carbon buildup and deposits inside the throttle body, further affecting its function.
In summary, a dirty air filter disrupts the airflow into the engine, causing the throttle body to work less efficiently, leading to performance issues, increased fuel consumption, and potential engine problems. Regular maintenance and replacement of the air filter can help avoid these issues and ensure smooth throttle body operation. Aside from that, regular throttle body maintenance can be done along with air filter replacement!
On our next Bulletin issue, we’ll talk about Fluids and Battery. Follow us and stay tuned till next week!
Signing Off – Elaine
To be continued : Issue 003
