Air Filter

Alright Readers, as you can see from the title above. I will be talking about some common knowledge about the air filter. It is a simple fact that a clean air filter is always works more efficient than the dirty ones.

So I shall cut the crap and back to the point. It is known that factory spec paper filter often does a marvelous job in comparison with other types of Air Filter available in the local market. The point is whether which one you're choosing, there are a few type of it such as Paper Type, Cotton Type, Oiled Type, Dry Typed, Panel or pod. Always be aware of the legality of the filter before installing it to avoid any Road offense by the Road and Transport (JPJ) people to have it dismantle for no reason.

It is best to have the air filter placed in the engine bay which is not too near to the engine and have it covered with Heat shield if there is really limited place for movement of the air filter to be placed. Last but not least, don't ever installed it in a strange position where the water can be scooped into it because the air filter must not be wet or else you will have engine failure for no reason.

It is easy if you are having a Drop in Filter whereby you will need to unclip the Air filter air box and change it which will only takes you around 1-2 minutes time so it's hassle free.

Black Smoke

Black smoke is caused by too much fuel being processed inside your car's engine and then released from the tailpipe of your car. Malfunctions in fuel delivery or internal system leaks will cause black smoke to come from the tailpipe. Before fuel injection became available in automobiles in the mid 1980's, the carburetor was the main fuel and air mixer in most vehicles. A carburetor was a simple device that supplied the engine with proper fuel to air mixtures. Carburetors performed two operations 1. meter air flow 2. deliver the correct amount of fuel to air mixture. This mix could be kept even during the wide range of extra factors associated with an engine such as high temperature, cold starting, hot starting, idling and acceleration.

Fuel Injector Cut Away

The primary difference between a carburetor and a fuel injection system is that the fuel injection system atomizes fuel by pushing it through a small nozzle under pressure, while a carburetor utilizes vacuum created by air flow into the intake manifold. Airflow in an injection engine is controlled by the throttle body; fuel is distributed directly in each cylinder. This creates better fuel control, lower emissions and faster acceleration. The process of measuring the amount of fuel a fuel injector is dispersing is determined by the ECM (engine control module). The fuel injection system has several parts: the mass airflow sensor or map sensor, throttle body, throttle position sensor, idle control valve, fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator, fuel lines
, and oxygen sensors.

Cause of Black Smoke
Black smoke is caused when the mix of fuel and air becomes un-balanced. Normal mixture is 14.5 parts air to1 part fuel. When the fuel to air mixtures change because of a malfunction the mixture can go as high as 14.5 to 2 or 3, two to three times the proper amount. The black smoke is the excess fuel generated from the rich mixture and can be cause by one of the following:

* Plugged Air Filter
* Shorted or stuck fuel injector
* Failed fuel pressure regulator
* Vacuum leak
* Shorted ECM Sensor

Trouble Shoot Black Smoke
Check Engine Light
If the check engine light is illuminated the ECM has detected a malfunction that could be causing the problem, scan the ECM to retrieve trouble codes and repair as needed.

Preventive Maintenance
To check your car's mixture you will need to use a gas analyzer to test your exhaust gases. This will measure the carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, nitrogen oxide and oxygen content of your exhaust. During a normal smog inspection the fuel/air mixture is tested and a report generated. When a tune up is performed the spark plug end insulator can tell you whether you have a lean or rich mixture. Brownish grey is the desired color and confirms proper mixture. Black and sooty means the mixture is too rich while white to light grey confirms a lean mixture.

Fuel injection systems rely on pressurized fuel to operate. Maintaining this pressure is mandatory for the system to function properly. Replace your fuel filter with every tune up to keep your injection system operating properly.