Study of complete carburetor (Solex carburetor) and simple

carburetor.

Carburetor: A carburetor is a mechanical device used in S.I. Engines to fulfill the following
requirements:

(i) To meter the liquid fuel in such quantities as to produce a specified air-fuel ratio required to
meet engine operating conditions (i.e. various loads and speeds).

(ii) To atomise and vaporize the fuel and mix it homogeneously with the air.

Simple Carburetor: In S.I. engines, the primary element of a fuel system consists of a storage tank, fuel pump,
carburetor and manifold.
 SIMPLE CARBURETOR

SOLEX CARBURETOR

1 - Retaining screw
2 - Passage where high speed mixture enters air stream
3 - Needle & seat (after market shown, original has a spring loaded ball end)
4 - Fuel inlet banjo bolt (hollow bolt)
5 - Cover
7 - Injection nozzle
8 - Body
9 - Idle jet
10 - Float level adjustment screw & lock nut
11 - Accelerator pump level
12 - Accelerator pump quantity adjustment nut & lock nut
13 - Accelerator actuation lever
14 - Accelerator pump control rod
15 - Main jet carrier (main jet screws into inner end)
16 - Mixture screw adjustment
17 - Idle stop screw & spring
18 - Throttle shaft
19/20 - Throttle lever
21 - Pump jet
22 - Diffuser (aux venturi)
23 - Air correction jet

(a) Float Chamber: The function of a float chamber is to maintain a constant level of fuel in the
carburetor unit. This is achieved by a float which controls a needle valve placed in a fuel supply line.
The fuel is pumped into the float chamber by means of a fuel pump if the amount of fuel in the float
chamber falls below the designed value, the float lowers, thereby the needle valve (fuel supply valve)
opens and the fuel enters the float chamber at a greater rate than the engine requires. When the designed
level has been reached, the float rises up and closes the needle valve, thus stopping additional fuel flow
from the supply system. By this way a constant level of fuel in maintained in the float chamber.

A vent is provided in the float chamber which communicates the fuel in the chamber with atmosphere
pressure. A filter is provided in the fuel supply system, so that, no foreign particles should clog the
needle valve.

(b) Venturi: Air from the atmosphere is drawn through the venturi by the action of the piston on the
intake stroke. As the air passes through the venture, its velocity is increased at the throat (due to small
area and constant mass flow rate) with a corresponding reduction in pressure. Thus a partial vacuum is
created at the throat called the carburetor depression. Since the float chamber is vented to atmosphere, a
pressure differential exists between the float chamber and the tip of fuel discharge nozzle. This pressure
differential causes the fuel to discharge (spray) into the air stream in an amount depending upon the
magnitude of this pressure differential. The fuel thus sucked in vaporized by the coming air stream. The
vaporization of fuel depends upon the pressure at the venturi, temperature and velocity of air and nature
of the fuel.

(c) Throttle: The function the throttle is to control the quantity of air fuel mixture supplied to the
engine cylinder, and thus, by this way, control the speed and power of the engine. It serves as a damper
placed between the chamber and induction manifold. The control of the throttle valve is normally with
the accelerator pedal through certain linkage. The more the throttle is closed the greater will be the
obstacle to flow of mixture delivered to the cylinder and hence the engineer power and speed will
reduce till an equilibrium is reached. When the throttle valve is fully open, the engine will suck the
maximum amount of mixture and the engine speed will go up till equilibrium is reached between the
engine power and the load on the engine.

(d) Choke: The function of choke is to provide an extra rich mixture during starting and warm up in
cold weather to ensure that enough fuel is available in vaporized from, for combustion. The choke
valve is placed in the air intake system on the upstream side of the venturi. When the choke valve is
nearly closed (engine choked), a vacuum is created in the area found the fuel discharge nozzle. The
pressure differential between the float chamber and the venturi area forces additional fuel in the air
stream.

Elements of a completed Carburetor: In order to overcome the drawbacks of simple carburetor, it is

essential to provide the following systems in the simple carburetor to satisfy the demands of an engine
under all conditions of operation.

(a) Main metering system. (b) Idling system.

(c) Power enrichment system. (d) Acceleration pump system