How does the engine work in a car?

The basics of an engine

An engine is a machine that converts heat into motion. In a car, the engine is responsible for powering the wheels and making the car move. The basic components of an engine are the cylinder, the piston, the crankshaft, and the camshaft.

The cylinder is a metal tube in which the piston moves up and down. The piston is a metal disk that fits inside the cylinder and moves up and down to create pressure. The crankshaft is a metal shaft that is connected to the piston and converts the up-and-down motion of the piston into rotary motion. The camshaft is a metal shaft that is connected to the crankshaft and controls the opening and closing of the valves.

The four-stroke cycle

The four-stroke cycle is the sequence of events that occur in an engine during one complete cycle of the piston. The four strokes are the intake stroke, the compression stroke, the power stroke, and the exhaust stroke.

Intake stroke: During the intake stroke, the intake valve opens and the piston moves down the cylinder. This creates a vacuum in the cylinder, which draws air and fuel into the cylinder.
Compression stroke: During the compression stroke, the intake valve closes and the piston moves up the cylinder. This compresses the air and fuel mixture, which increases its pressure and temperature.
Power stroke: During the power stroke, the spark plug ignites the air and fuel mixture, which causes it to explode. The explosion creates pressure, which drives the piston down the cylinder. This is the stroke that powers the car.
Exhaust stroke: During the exhaust stroke, the exhaust valve opens and the piston moves up the cylinder. This forces the exhaust gases out of the cylinder and into the exhaust system.

Engine types

There are many different types of engines, but the most common type of engine in a car is the internal combustion engine. Internal combustion engines burn fuel inside the cylinder to create heat, which is then converted into motion.

There are two main types of internal combustion engines: gasoline engines and diesel engines. Gasoline engines use spark plugs to ignite the air and fuel mixture, while diesel engines use compression to ignite the air and fuel mixture.

Engine maintenance

Engines require regular maintenance to keep them running properly. This includes changing the oil, replacing the spark plugs, and checking the air filter.