Automotive engines, once simple in design, have evolved into complex assemblies consisting of myriad moving parts. If one component fails or becomes unable to do its job, the assembly\’s performance, output, and fuel economy may suffer. In some cases, the engine will stop working altogether. Despite its importance to the operation of a car, many people remain unaware regarding how the assembly works. We\’ll address this issue below.

Our goal in this article is to describe the operation of a car engine in a way that is easy to understand. That way, when problems surface, you\’ll have a better understanding of the potential causes. We\’ll begin by presenting the various parts, and describing the 4-stroke combustion cycle that occurs in the cylinders. You\’ll then learn about the other systems that heavily influence your engine\’s performance.

Cylinder Configurations And Key Components

Engines are configured differently based partly on the number of cylinders they house. When there are four cylinders, they are usually arranged in a single line. Many 6-cylinder engines follow this same arrangement. Some assemblies with four or six cylinders are designed with an equal number – two or three, respectively – forming two rows. Assemblies offering 8 or 10 cylinders are usually arranged in a \”V\” format with an equal number on each side.

In order for an engine to work properly, several key parts are necessary. Each cylinder has a spark plug, piston, and a pair of intake and exhaust valves. The opening and closing of the valves are controlled by a camshaft and lobes (one lobe per valve). Each piston moves up and down inside its cylinder, and is attached to a connecting rod. The connecting rods are attached to the crankshaft. The manner in which these components work together will become clearer in the next section.

How Internal Combustion Works Inside The Engine

The operation of an engine is based on its combustion cycle. There are four distinct stages: intake, compression, ignition, and exhaust. During the intake stage, the intake valve opens to allow the fuel injector to spray gas into the combustion chamber. As this occurs, the piston begins to move downward in the cylinder. When the piston reaches the bottom, the intake valve closes, sealing the chamber.

The compression stage begins as the piston starts to move upward. As it does so, it compresses the air-fuel mixture inside the combustion chamber. By the time the piston reaches the top, it will have compressed the air and fuel to a tenth of its normal volume.

The ignition stage starts with a spark from the spark plug sitting at (or near) the top of the chamber. The spark ignites the compressed air-fuel mixture, causing an explosion and rapid expansion of exhaust gases. The gas expansion pushes the piston downward.

When the piston reaches the bottom of the chamber for the second time, the exhaust stage begins. The exhaust valve opens to allow the gases to escape from the combustion chamber into the exhaust system. The piston starts to move upward to force the gases outward.

Once the chamber has emptied of exhaust gases, the exhaust valve closes, and the 4-stroke combustion cycle begins again. This cycle occurs thousands of times each minute.

Secondary Systems That Affect The Engine\’s Performance

A number of other systems must work properly in order that your engine operates at optimum efficiency. For example, the cooling system pushes coolant through the assembly to absorb heat and transfer it away. If the cooling system fails, the engine will overheat.

The ignition system generates and delivers the necessary voltage to create the spark in the combustion chambers. If any component in this system (e.g. ignition coil, distributor, rotor, etc.) fails, the engine may misfire, stall, or hesitate.

The fuel system is responsible for delivering sufficient fuel to the individual chambers. Parts in this system include the fuel filter, pump, and fuel injectors. If any of them fail or malfunction, the engine will be deprived of gas.

These and other systems, including the electrical, exhaust, and air intake systems, work together to ensure your car\’s engine performs well. Although the majority of problems that occur in these systems require the help of a trained mechanic, understanding how they influence your engine makes them less mysterious.

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Category: Automotive
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