In at least some implementations, a carburetor has a metering system that controls fuel flow from a fuel source to an air-fuel passage. The metering system includes a metering diaphragm sealed to a body of the carburetor to at least partly define a metering chamber between the metering diaphragm and the body, and the metering diaphragm has a continuous layer and a discontinuous layer. The continuous layer is responsive to fluid pressure within the metering chamber and moves against the discontinuous layer to open a metering valve to allow fuel flow from the fuel source and into the metering chamber when said fluid pressure is below a reference pressure.

A simple engine, comprises (1) a cylinder and a spark plug in the cylinder; (2) a carburetor, fluidly connected to the cylinder; (3) a primary air intake path, fluidly connecting atmosphere to the carburetor; (4) a carburetor bypass air intake path, fluidly connecting air to the cylinder without passing through the carburetor; and (5) a valve, along the carburetor bypass air intake path, for controlling the flow of air through the carburetor bypass air intake path.

A simple engine, comprises (1) a cylinder and a spark plug in the cylinder; (2) a carburetor, fluidly connected to the cylinder; (3) a primary air intake path, fluidly connecting atmosphere to the carburetor; (4) a carburetor bypass air intake path, fluidly connecting air to the cylinder without passing through the carburetor; and (5) a valve, along the carburetor bypass air intake path, for controlling the flow of air through the carburetor bypass air intake path.