When is carbon monoxide produced in an engine

In practice this is not the case, and there is always CO present in the exhaust gas because there will be local areas with insufficient air supply to facilitate complete combustion. The CO emissions vary with engine load and for higher loads they are more or less constant as show in figure Even though CO emissions from compression ignition engines are normally low they can be significantly higher at low loads or when idling.

Here the fuel air mixture is often over rich and the temperature is relatively low which results in incomplete combustion. Accidental after injection of fuel or nozzle drip can also cause CO formation.

CO is toxic and can be very harmful to humans. Is this correct? Caution should be used with the mentioned procedures. With the engine off snow may cover the exhaust pipe. An open window on the downwind side of the car will likely be in a low pressure area where exhaust gases could collect and be pulled into the car.

Since the amount of carbon monoxide is much higher during initial start-up and decreases dramatically after the catalytic converter warms, continually starting the engine produces more CO than letting the engine run. Does CO affect driving ability? Studies show that elevated CO in the body interferes with driving skills. At high carbon monoxide concentrations CO intoxication occurs and severely impairs driving ability.

People suffering from CO intoxication think slowly and irrationally, are confused, and are unable to safely operate a motor vehicle. Because they do not realize they are impaired, the condition is extremely dangerous.

Prepared by T. Greiner, Ph. Extension Agricultural Engineer. Engineering or Technology? Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Vehicles AEN The lethal consequences of CO in engine exhaust is tragically illustrated by the hundreds of persons who die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a running vehicle inside a closed garage. What causes carbon monoxide poisoning from vehicles?

Operating a vehicle with a defective exhaust system. Operating a vehicle with a defective emission system or poorly tuned engine. Advanced Search options. Country Publication:. Identifier Numbers:. Publication Date:. Announced Date:. More Options …. Research Organization:. Sponsoring Organization:. Product Type:.