How a Car Engine Works for Dummies

What is an Engine?

An engine is a machine that converts one form of energy into another. In a car, the engine converts the chemical energy stored in gasoline into mechanical energy that powers the wheels.

The Four Strokes of an Engine Cycle

The four strokes of an engine cycle are:

1. **Intake stroke:** The intake valve opens and the piston moves down, drawing air and fuel into the cylinder.
2. **Compression stroke:** The intake valve closes and the piston moves up, compressing the air and fuel mixture.
3. **Power stroke:** The spark plug ignites the air and fuel mixture, causing it to explode. The expanding gases push the piston down, creating power.
4. **Exhaust stroke:** The exhaust valve opens and the piston moves up, pushing the burnt gases out of the cylinder.

The Parts of an Engine

The main parts of an engine are:

* **Cylinder:** The cylinder is the space in which the piston moves up and down.
* **Piston:** The piston is a metal disc that fits inside the cylinder. It moves up and down to compress the air and fuel mixture and create power.
* **Connecting rod:** The connecting rod connects the piston to the crankshaft.
* **Crankshaft:** The crankshaft is a rotating shaft that converts the up-and-down motion of the piston into rotary motion.
* **Valves:** The valves open and close to allow air and fuel into the cylinder and to exhaust burnt gases.
* **Spark plug:** The spark plug ignites the air and fuel mixture.

How an Engine Works

The four strokes of an engine cycle are repeated over and over again to create power. Here is a step-by-step explanation of how an engine works:

The crankshaft converts the up-and-down motion of the piston into rotary motion. This rotary motion is then used to power the wheels of the car.

Conclusion

An engine is a complex machine, but the basic principles of how it works are relatively simple. By understanding the four strokes of an engine cycle and the main parts of an engine, you can gain a better understanding of how your car works.