How does an air mass meter work and why should you take care of it?
Content
How is the air flow meter arranged and what breaks in it?
What do you think - what is the ratio of the mixture of fuel and air? For every liter of fuel, there is 14,7 kg of air, which gives more than 12 XNUMX liters. So the discrepancy is huge, which means that it is difficult to control the engine so that it has the correct composition of the mixture supplied to the engine compartment. The whole process is controlled by a processor contained in the so-called engine ECU. Based on the signals received from the sensors, it performs injection metering, throttle opening and many other actions that affect the operation of the internal combustion engine.
Types of flow meters in internal combustion engines
Over the years, these devices have become increasingly accurate and reliable. There are currently 3 types of flowmeters in use:
● valve;
● massive;
● ultrasonic.
How is a petal flow meter arranged?
Such an air flow meter was used in older designs. It consists of dampers (hence the name) connected to an air sensor and a potentiometer. Under the influence of the deflection of the shutter, which is pressed against the air resistance, the voltage of the potentiometer changes. The more air that reaches the intake manifold, the lower the voltage and vice versa. The damper meter also has a bypass to allow the engine to idle when the damper is obstructing airflow.
What is an air mass meter and how does it work?
This is a much more electrified design compared to a damper meter. It consists of a channel through which air passes, a heated wire and a heating unit. Of course, the device also includes control electronics and sensors that send a signal to the computer. Such an automotive air flow meter measures the mass air flow. This is done using platinum wire, which is kept at a constant temperature of around 120-130°C. Thanks to such a simple design and high efficiency, flowmeters of this type do not limit the power of combustion devices and do not create air resistance.
Ultrasonic flow meter in car
This is by far the most sophisticated air flow measurement system. The heart of this device is a vibration generator that causes air turbulences of various shapes depending on the amount of air. Vibrations are picked up by a microphone, which then transmits a signal to a transducer that performs the calculations. Such an air flow meter is by far the most accurate, but to obtain specific results, an extensive measurement system and analysis of the results is required.
Air mass meter - why does it break?
You already know what a flow meter is and how it works, but why does it fail? Firstly, damper types are not very resistant to improper operation of a gas installation. The damper in the flowmeter quickly closes under the action of the backfire and is damaged.
Air pollution is the most common problem in bulk devices. Thus, the problem is associated with a careless attitude to operation, for example, the lack of regular replacement of the air filter. The result can also be a conical sports filter that offers less drag and better performance, but if used incorrectly, it doesn't trap as many contaminants as a pleated paper filter.
Air mass meter - symptoms of damage
The easiest air mass meter problem to diagnose is loss of engine power. Incorrect air flow values are transmitted to the engine controller, which produces a dose of fuel corrected by the signal, and not by the actual amount of gases sucked into the combustion chamber. Therefore, the car may not have power, for example, in the lower engine speed range.
How to check if the air mass meter is damaged?
How to check the flow meter in the car? The easiest way is to connect the car to the diagnostic interface or find an identical car among friends and rearrange the flow meter from one to another. Cleaning the flow meter is also recommended for increased fuel demand and incorrect exhaust gas composition.
How to clean the flow meter in the car?
Do not use water for this! It is best to use spray preparations and clean the car's flow meter with them. Wait for the drug to evaporate completely. If a lot of dirt has accumulated on it, also inspect the throttle body and clean it if necessary.
Air flow measurement systems can greatly help the operation of an internal combustion engine. The correct operation of the flow meter is extremely important, because in the event of problems with this element, there will be a drop in engine performance. Monitoring its condition and cleaning are activities that should be performed when alarming symptoms appear.
