Part of Lesson Plan: **Ingredient 1: Fuel (updated) by Thomas Dougherty

Activity Overview / Details

During open lab, the students work in their small groups to adjust the air/fuel ratio on a running automobile engine.  There is a carbureted vehicle on the shop floor connected to an exhaust gas analizer and an exhaust ventilation system.  Students are free of jewelry and loose clothing and are wearing safety glasses.  Gloves are provided if desired and the vehicle uses an electric cooling fan so there is no spinning fan blade.  Student groups are given a printed  stoichiometry chart and are tasked to adjust the carburetor until they achieve results that are closest to optimum on the chart. They will be able to witness the changes in the other exhaust gasses as they add and subtract fuel and find the best compromise between power, economy and emissions. Their results are recorded on their handouts and reviewed for their grade.  Upon completion of the lesson, the group can turn all the screws to prepare the vehicle for the next group.