This invention relates to tools used to adjust fuel systems on vehicles, and, more particularly, to a tool that provides to the mechanic a direct indication of the degree of adjustment.
Carburetors, fuel injectors, and other types of fuel system devices (termed generally "carburetors" herein) are found in automobiles and trucks to mix fuel with air in a controlled manner. The mixture flows from the carburetor into the cylinders of the engine, where it is burned to release energy and drive the engine. The operation of the engine therefore depends directly upon maintaining the carburetor in proper adjustment, and carburetor adjustment is a key part of major and minor tuneups.
There are two principal points of adjustment on carburetors and fuel injectors, the mixture adjustment and the idle speed adjustment, and each has an independent adjustment control in the form of a screw that can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise. In tuning the engine, the mechanic alternatively adjusts these two controls while observing engine performance, to obtain an optimal performance of the engine.
In modern engines, the carburetors are sometimes rather inaccessible to the mechanic, with the result that it may be difficult to adjust the carburetor controls while observing the engine operation. Elongated adjustment tools have been developed to aid in reaching the controls, but the presently available tools are difficult to use. There is therefore a need for an improved carburetor adjustment tool that provides access to the carburetor, yet is easy to use in performing fine adjustments of the carburetor controls. The present invention fulfills this need, and further provides related advantages.