The hot idle compensator in the fuel system of a car consists of an air passage, normally kept closed, but opened when temperature under the hood is high, by a valve that could be a bi-metallic strip.
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Its purpose is to allow more air into the combustion chambers of the engine, to render more lean the fuel-air mixture, for the purpose of lessening pollution and wastage during idle in hot summer days.
O.K., forgive me for the mechanical details.
If anyone out there can refer me to an image in the WWW of the bi-metallic strip used for that system in the air-cleaner assembly of some cars, like mine, a Nissan Sentra, I will be most obliged.
There generally are not photos or illustrations of these even in repair manuals, so it may be tough to come up with an image. The strip itself is typically about 20-25 mm long and 4-5 mm wide.
Afterthought–you understand, I assume, that the strip you asked for an image of is just one component of the hot idle compensator? The unit is typically round, 25-30 mm diameter, and fitted with a vacuum hose pipe.
Guys, the reason I am asking for an image is to find out how the strip is originally installed.
There are two strips, attached together by a small nut and bolt, anchored to the bottom side of the air cleaner, and the other ends are left free .
Now, one strip is shorter with a curve at its free end.
The other longer.
Which one is on top and which below?
My mechanic thought the b-strip should close the hole linking to the vacuum hose connecting to the input manifold, permanently – which is wrong!
Now, I am trying to return the b-strip to its original anchoring position to keep the vacuum conduit closed, until and unless the temperature under the hood gets to the specified range.