By the 1990s, nearly every passenger vehicle in the world was powered by an EFI engine. While EFI replaced carburetors as the standard for automobiles, it’s gaining traction in small engines. As cost-effective EFI enters the market, however, skepticism is quickly fading as more professionals experience the benefits of today’s EFI engines.
Q. What are the benefits?
A. Buzz of fuel savings up to 25 percent with EFI is drawing attention. By creating a nearly perfect air-fuel mixture and adjusting the ratio based on load, throttle response and air intake, EFI optimizes fuel efficiency and power. And while fuel savings vary by industry, application and engine family, the 25 percent mark makes the reality of a return on investment (ROI) feasible.
On commercial turf, where engines run for hours at a relatively steady RPM, the opportunity to reap the benefits of these fuel savings quickly becomes real. Not to mention, EFI engines offer reliable choke-less starting, eliminating difficulty starting machines, flooded engines and downtime associated with decreased productivity and profits.
Q. Does basic service change?
A. Most engine components, aside from the fuel system, remain unchanged between carbureted and EFI engines. The fuel filter is often the only difference as EFI engines require more advanced filter media and occasionally have a second filter to prevent any impurities from reaching the fuel injectors. This is necessary because EFI systems force fuel through a high-pressure injector that atomizes the liquid into a fine mist, creating a more volatile mixture while using a lower concentration of fuel.
Q. Is stale fuel a problem?
A. EFI engines are more resistant to stale fuel than carbureted engines. In EFI engines, fuel is exposed to far less oxygen, which helps prevent fuel degradation. EFI engines are more capable of burning degraded fuel due to high-pressure injectors that atomize the fuel into a mist — creating an ideal blend that burns even when the fuel is highly degraded.
Q. What about knowledgeable service?
A. Some manufacturers offer EFI training programs to educate and equip dealers with knowledgeable resources. Vanguard Commercial Power offers the industry’s only hands-on EFI service, education and training with its Vanguard EFI Training School. The training is accessed through in-person classes, live streaming or its online video library. These programs reach thousands of technicians and dealer personnel annually to keep them up to date on the latest engine technologies.
Q. What’s next?
A. Eventually, EFI will find its way into nearly every product segment. Soon, carbureted engines are going to be the exception, not the standard. Embracing the benefits of EFI can improve your productivity and offer cost-savings through increased fuel efficiency. Partnering with a trusted brand, such as Vanguard, ensures you’ll receive the support and training you need to maximize your EFI engine.
