Automotive Industries

Unit 11

1 Match the diagrams with the captions.

A

fuel

C
ECU (1)
fuel

injector
air

ECU (1)

fuel
air

air

(1) ECU = electronic control unit

1 In single-point injection, one injector is used for all the cylinders. It provides a fine spray of petrol,
J7268
which is mixed with air.

Technical English Website Automotive

aw_11_01
2 In multi-point injection, one injector is used for each cylinder. Petrol flows along the fuel rail and is
then mixed with air for each cylinder.

3 In indirect fuel injection, petrol passes through an injector and comes out as a fine spray. This is mixed
with the air as it enters the cylinder. The injector is controlled by the electronic control unit.

2 Label the diagram with the

words in bold.

fuel
out

fuel
in

10

7
2
5

Fuel is pumped out of the fuel tank at the rear of the car. The fuel pump makes the fuel ow through the fuel filter
and along the fuel pipeline towards the engine and the injectors. The fuel lter prevents dirt and water from passing
through it and into the engine. Two valves are tted to the fuel pump. The pressure relief valve limits the maximum
pressure. The other one, the non-return valve at the outlet of the pump, stops the fuel from owing back through it.
The pressure in the fuel delivery system keeps the fuel rail above the injectors full. It also makes the fuel come out
through the injectors as a ne spray. More fuel is delivered to the fuel rail than is needed. The pressure allows the
extra fuel to return through the pressure regulator to the fuel tank via the return fuel pipeline. The regulator
controls the operating pressure of the system. It also stops air locks from forming in the pipes.
The fuel pump is electrical. If the car is in an accident, the pump switches itself off. This prevents fuel from owing
around the fuel supply system and possibly out of broken fuel pipes.

Technical English Websit

Pearson Longman 2008

www.pearsonlongman.com/technicalenglish

Automotive Industries

Unit 11

3 What do these words in italics in 2 refer to? Choose the correct answer.
1 it (line 3)

a) fuel

b) fuel filter

c) fuel pump

2 one (line 4)

a) engine

b) pressure

c) valve

3 it (line 5)

a) fuel

b) pump

c) non-return valve

4 it (line 6)

a) fuel rail

b) fuel delivery system

c) pressure

5 it (line 9)

a) system

b) return fuel pipeline

c) pressure regulator

4 Study the language table. Then read the text and delete the wrong words.
The engine
The intake valve
The fi lter

causes

the petrol pump

to

makes

the petrol pump

work.

lets

the mixture

enter

the cylinder.

allows

the mixture

to

enter the cylinder.

from

entering the carburettor.

prevents / stops dirt

work.

A simple carburettor
The carburettor mixes petrol and air for the engine. The fuel pump makes the petrol (1 ow / to ow) along the
fuel line to the carburettor. The fuel enters the oat chamber through the fuel inlet, and then rises in both the
oat chamber and the fuel discharge nozzle. As the fuel rises, this makes the oat in the oat chamber (2 rise /
to rise). This causes the needle valve at the top of the oat (3 close / to close). As the needle valve rises, it stops
more fuel (4 to enter / from entering) the oat chamber. This allows the level of fuel (5 remain / to remain) just
below the top of the discharge nozzle.
When the engine is running, this causes air (6 enter / to enter) the mixing chamber. The throttle valve allows
more or less air (7 enter / to enter) the mixing chamber. If the airow increases, this lets more fuel (8 enter / to
enter) the mixing chamber through the jet. This causes the engine (9 turn / to turn) faster.
The jet allows the right amount of fuel (10 ow / to ow) to the discharge nozzle. The rush of air causes the fuel
(11 change / to change) into a ne spray as it leaves the discharge nozzle. Finally, the mixture of air and fuel is
carried into the cylinders of the engine.

5 Complete the sentences, using the correct form of the verbs from the box with or without not. Use
some of the words more than once

allow / cause / let / make / prevent

Starting the engine
1 The fuel-rich mixture allows the engine to start more easily when cold. 2 The choke flap

too much air from entering the carburettor. 3 Later, the choke flap
more air mix with the fuel.
Idling
4 At slow speeds (idling), the throttle valve

much air flow through the venturi.

Driving at medium speed (cruising)

5 The throttle valve
air to flow through the venturi. 6 If you open the throttle valve more, this
the air flow to speed up.
Accelerating
7 The accelerator pump

Pearson Longman 2008

extra fuel flow into the air stream above the venturi.

www.pearsonlongman.com/technicalenglish

Automotive Industries
Word List
6 Write the meanings of these words and phrases in your own language.
NOUNS

electronic
control unit

airflow
float chamber
carburettor
cylinder
filter
float
injector
jet
outlet

fuel delivery
system
fuel discharge
nozzle
fuel inlet
fuel rail
mixing chamber

pipeline

multi-point
injection

pressure

needle valve

rush

non-return valve

spray

pressure regulator

valve

pressure relief valve

venturi

return fuel pipeline

VERBS

single-point
injection

deliver
idle
NOUN PHRASES

throttle valve
ADJECTIVES
indirect

air lock
air stream
choke flap

Pearson Longman 2008

www.pearsonlongman.com/technicalenglish

Unit 11