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EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS

by Fred Bordoff

The need to control the emissions from automobiles gave rise to th

 Home computerization of the automobile. Hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide
Auto Parts oxides of nitrogen are created during the combustion process and a
Road Tests emitted into the atmosphere from the tail pipe. There are also hydroca
 Photos emitted as a result of vaporization of gasoline and from the crankcase
Auto Repair automobile. The clean air act of 1977 set limits as to the amount of ea
How Cars Work these pollutants that could be emitted from an automobile. The
 Forums manufacturers answer was the addition of certain pollution control dev
Your Next Car and the creation of a self adjusting engine. 1981 saw the first of these
 Driving adjusting engines. They were called feedback fuel control systems.
Classic Cars oxygen sensor was installed in the exhaust system and would measur
fuel content of the exhaust stream. It then would send a signal to
 Car Care microprocessor, which would analyze the reading and operate a fu
mixture or air mixture device to create the proper air/fuel ratio. As com
systems progressed, they were able to adjust ignition spark timing as
Acura Parts
as operate the other emission controls that were installed on the veh
Audi Parts
The computer is also capable of monitoring and diagnosing itself. If a f
BMW Parts
seen, the computer will alert the vehicle operator by illuminating a
Buick Parts
Cadillac Parts
malfunction indicator lamp. The computer will at the same time record
Chevrolet Parts
fault in it's memory, so that a technician can at a later date retrieve tha
Chrysler Parts
in the form of a code which will help them determine the proper repa
Dodge Parts
Some of the more popular emission control devices installed on th
Ferrari Parts
automobile are: EGR VALVE, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AIR PUMP, PCV VA
Ford Parts
CHARCOAL CANISTER.
GMC Parts
Honda Parts
 
Hummer Parts
Hyundai Parts
nfiniti Parts
CATALYTIC CONVERTER
aguar Parts
eep Parts Automotive emissions are controlled in three ways, one is to promote
Kia Parts complete combustion so that there are less by products. The second
Land Rover Parts reintroduce excessive hydrocarbons back into the engine for combus
Lexus Parts and the third is to provide an additional area for oxidation or combusti
Lincoln Parts occur. This additional area is called a catalytic converter. The cataly
Mazda Parts converter looks like a muffler. It is located in the exhaust system ahea
Mercedes Benz the muffler. Inside the converter are pellets or a honeycomb made
Parts
platinum or palladium. The platinum or palladium are used as a cataly
Mercury Parts catalyst is a substance used to speed up a chemical process). As
Mitsubishi Parts hydrocarbons or carbon monoxide in the exhaust are passed over t
Mini Parts catalyst, it is chemically oxidized or converted to carbon dioxide and w
Nissan Parts As the converter works to clean the exhaust, it develops heat. The dirti
Oldsmobile Parts exhaust, the harder the converter works and the more heat that is
Pontiac Parts developed. In some cases the converter can be seen to glow from
Porsche Parts excessive heat. If the converter works this hard to clean a dirty exhau
Saab Parts will destroy itself. Also leaded fuel will put a coating on the platinum
Saturn Parts palladium and render the converter ineffective.  This is why, in the U.
Scion Parts all fuels designed for automobile engines are now unleaded.
Subaru Parts
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Suzuki Parts
Toyota Parts
 
Volkswagen Parts
Volvo Parts
 
PCV VALVE

The purpose of the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system, is to

the vapors produced in the crankcase during the normal combustio
process, and redirecting them into the air/fuel intake system to be bu
during combustion. These vapors dilute the air/fuel mixture so they ha
be carefully controlled and metered in order to not affect the performan
the engine. This is the job of the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) v
At idle, when the air/fuel mixture is very critical, just a little of the vapor
allowed in to the intake system. At high speed when the mixture is le
critical and the pressures in the engine are greater, more of the vapor
allowed in to the intake system. When the valve or the system is clog
vapors will back up into the air filter housing or at worst, the exces
pressure will push past seals and create engine oil leaks. If the wrong
is used or the system has air leaks, the engine will idle rough, or at w
engine oil will be sucked out of the engine.

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EGR VALVE

The purpose of the exhaust gas recirculation valve (EGR) valve is to m

a small amount of exhaust gas into the intake system, this dilutes t
air/fuel mixture so as to lower the combustion chamber temperatur
Excessive combustion chamber temperature creates oxides of nitrog
which is a major pollutant. While the EGR valve is the most effectiv
method of controlling oxides of nitrogen, in it's very design it advers
affects engine performance. The engine was not designed to run o
exhaust gas. For this reason the amount of exhaust entering the inta
system has to be carefully monitored and controlled. This is accompli
through a series of electrical and vacuum switches and the vehicl
computer. Since EGR action reduces performance by diluting the air
mixture, the system does not allow EGR action when the engine is co
 when the engine needs full power.

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EVAPORATIVE CONTROLS

Gasoline evaporates quite easily. In the past, these evaporative emiss

were vented into the atmosphere. 20% of all HC emissions from th
automobile are from the gas tank. In 1970 legislation was passed
prohibiting venting of gas tank fumes into the atmosphere. An evapor
control system was developed to eliminate this source of pollution. T
function of the fuel evaporative control system is to trap and store
evaporative emissions from the gas tank and carburetor. A charco
canister is used to trap the fuel vapors. The fuel vapors adhere to t
charcoal, until the engine is started, and engine vacuum can be use
draw the vapors into the engine, so that they can be burned along wit
fuel/air mixture. This system requires the use of a sealed gas tank fille
This cap is so important to the operation of the system, that a test of th
is now being integrated into many state emission inspection programs
1970 cars released fuel vapors into the atmosphere through the use
vented gas cap. Today with the use of sealed caps, redesigned gas t
are used. The tank has to have the space for the vapors to collect so
they can then be vented to the charcoal canister. A purge valve is use
control the vapor flow into the engine. The purge valve is operated
engine vacuum. One common problem with this system is that the pu
valve goes bad and engine vacuum draws fuel directly into the inta
system. This enriches the fuel mixture and will foul the spark plugs. M
charcoal canisters have a filter that should be replaced periodically. T
system should be checked when fuel mileage drops.

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AIR INJECTION

Since no internal combustion engine is 100% efficient, there will alway

some unburned fuel in the exhaust. This increases hydrocarbon emiss
To eliminate this source of emissions an air injection system was crea
Combustion requires fuel, oxygen and heat. Without any one of the th
combustion cannot occur. Inside the exhaust manifold there is suffic
heat to support combustion, if we introduce some oxygen than an
unburned fuel will ignite. This combustion will not produce any power,
will reduce excessive hydrocarbon emissions. Unlike in the combust
chamber, this combustion is uncontrolled, so if the fuel content of th
exhaust is excessive, explosions, that sound like popping, will occur. T
are times when under normal conditions, such as deceleration, when
fuel content is excessive. Under these conditions we would want to sh
the air injection system. This is accomplished through the use of a div
valve, which instead of shutting the air pump off, diverts the air away
the exhaust manifold. Since all of this is done after the combustion pro
is complete, this is one emission control that has no effect on engin
performance. The only maintenance that is required is a careful inspe
of the air pump drive belt.

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Copyright )  1983-2005, SmartTrac Computer Systems, Inc.

All Rights Reserved.

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