So in the air old “inferior “ technology is better but on the ground its bad?
We all know carburetor are more reliable, if not for emissions we would all be gleefully driving our carbed vehicles. Contrary to popular belief a properly tuned carbed vehicle starts just fine in even the coldest of weather.
I will test this theory this weekend and maybe even make a video of it to share. I may start up a tik tok account or similar.
I am torn because I will admit that modern fuel injection causes less emissions than carbs, and that is important to me. I also think carbs are better because the spirit behind them.
I will also say drum brakes cause less emissions if properly handled when you take the drum off. So newer technology is not always cleaner technology
Risk analysis depends on both the likelihood of the risk occurring and the consequences if it does happen. I used to have arguments with satellite and launch contractors about wearing fire retardant bunny suits after loading propellant onto the spacecraft. They said fires never happened and my retort was always that the consequences of being caught in a fire covered head to toe in polyester was so bad that it outweighed their complaints. I always won.
I do agree, a properly tuned and operating carburetor works fine. Properly tuned is the problem. Modern fuel injection is constantly’tuned’ by the onboard computers.
The benefits of EFI are numerous and far outweigh carb use on most applications. My prime example was maybe 25 years ago now. We did a lot of mountain 4 wheeling, driving from the flatlands to destinations at altitude. Carbs had a very difficult time adjusting properly to the significant change in altitude and the various vehicle attitudes encountered. It was not unusual to suffer from flooding on significant inclines or tilting conditions. Nothing will clear your sinuses like a flooded dead engine on a trail barely wide enough for one Jeep with a 2000’ drop off and staring at the sky. I installed a TBI system and we never again had any of those underwear staining experiences…
Never had an EFI- freeze up, flood, get plugged up with varnish, leak due to dried up old gaskets, bog at altitude, needle stick, float submerged and on and on…
Anything that affects air/fuel ratio affects a properly tuned carburetor such as changes in air density (temperature, altitude, humidity), quality of gas and or changes in the gas… My fun car still has a carb on it, and I have to adjust it often when I am using it, funny thing is ALL my other vehicles ranging from 1993 to 2023 and many in between have never needed to be adjusted by me or anyone else, they all have a crazy little thing that does all the self adjusting automatically…
Carburetors have there place in the automotive world, but not on Daily Drivers… unless maybe you live where the air density (temperature, altitude, humidity), quality of gas and or changes in the gas never changes…
Yep, I never had a problem starting my fuel-injected GTI in the outdoor Anchorage work parking lot, even after a day of 10 F. I know even a ‘properly tuned’ carb would have been troublesome under those conditions.
I drove mine during Covid a lot as a DD as well in very cold temps (no heater, tis was cold lol) and it started great, just took it like 20 minutes or more before it warmed up enough that I could give it anything over 1/8 ish throttle, never mind the secondary’s opening… lol
We ski at least twice a month in the NH White mountains. We usually get up early Sunday morning to drive back. More than once I’m starting SUV at -30 or lower. Never had a problem with any vehicle I’ve owned with FI in those conditions.
I’m not going to get into this but I’m just reminded of all the adjustments, cleaning, overhauling, trying to keep the car going. Not to mention the heat riser and that choke system. Remember that stuff folks?
It warmed up here a little though from 20 below to 12 below. My cars are in the garage but I’m still not going out if I can help it.
I remember that stuff all too well, as do you and–I suspect–the vast majority of forum members… except for the one or two who have… selective… memories.
I always knew when to do an overhaul. When I’d get a stumble on acceleration from a worn accelerator pump. Remember the leather would wear? I actually kind of enjoyed working on them but who needs the hassle.
Remind me of the old days. I borrowed my dad’s falcon for the Friday night rounds and date. He said don’t use the radio. Of course I didn’t listen and after stopping for pizza the battery was dead. Those old tube radios were the cats meow. Got a jump from a friend and never fessed up. We never had a battery charger back then.
Anyone in the great north back in the day expected to see the most farmer rigging on those old heat riser pipes. They seemed to rot out faster than anything else and only became a concern when the temps dipped. Then break out the b eer cans, tin snips and rivets…
