How Car Engine Works GIF
The Four-Stroke Cycle
A car engine operates on a four-stroke cycle. The four strokes are:
- Intake stroke
- Compression stroke
- Power stroke
- Exhaust stroke
The intake stroke begins with the piston at the top of the cylinder. The intake valve opens, and the piston moves down, drawing in a mixture of air and fuel.
The compression stroke begins with the intake valve closed. The piston moves up, compressing the air-fuel mixture.
The power stroke begins when the spark plug ignites the air-fuel mixture. The burning gases expand, driving the piston down.
The exhaust stroke begins with the exhaust valve open. The piston moves up, pushing the exhaust gases out of the cylinder.
The Valve Train
The valve train is the mechanism that opens and closes the intake and exhaust valves. The valve train consists of a camshaft, rocker arms, and valves.
The camshaft is a rotating shaft that has a series of lobes. The lobes are shaped so that they push the rocker arms up and down.
The rocker arms pivot on a shaft and push the valves open and closed.
The Ignition System
The ignition system provides the spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture. The ignition system consists of a battery, ignition coil, distributor, spark plugs, and spark plug wires.
The battery provides the electrical power for the ignition system.
The ignition coil is a transformer that increases the voltage from the battery.
The distributor distributes the high-voltage spark to the spark plugs.
The spark plugs are located in the cylinder head. They create the spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture.
The spark plug wires connect the distributor to the spark plugs.
The Fuel System
The fuel system delivers the air-fuel mixture to the cylinders. The fuel system consists of a fuel tank, fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel injector, and fuel lines.
The fuel tank stores the fuel.
The fuel pump draws fuel from the tank and delivers it to the fuel injector.
The fuel filter removes impurities from the fuel.
The fuel injector sprays the air-fuel mixture into the cylinders.
The fuel lines connect the fuel tank, fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel injector, and cylinders.
The Lubrication System
The lubrication system lubricates the moving parts of the engine. The lubrication system consists of an oil pump, oil filter, and oil passages.
The oil pump draws oil from the oil pan and delivers it to the oil filter.
The oil filter removes impurities from the oil.
The oil passages distribute the oil to the moving parts of the engine.
The Cooling System
The cooling system prevents the engine from overheating. The cooling system consists of a radiator, water pump, thermostat, and coolant.
The radiator is a heat exchanger that cools the coolant.
The water pump circulates the coolant through the engine and radiator.
The thermostat regulates the flow of coolant through the radiator.
The coolant is a liquid that absorbs heat from the engine.
The Electrical System
The electrical system provides the electrical power for the engine. The electrical system consists of a battery, alternator, starter, and wiring.
The battery provides the electrical power for the engine when the engine is not running.
The alternator generates electrical power while the engine is running.
The starter motor cranks the engine to start it.
The wiring connects the battery, alternator, starter motor, and other electrical components.
Conclusion
The car engine is a complex machine that consists of many different components. The engine operates on a four-stroke cycle and requires a variety of systems to function properly.
