Engine is the heart of a car. There are a multiple engine types. But, what are the basic engine parts? Engine is a complex machine built to convert heat from burning gas into the force that turns the road wheels. A spark ignites a mixture of petrol and compressed air inside a sealed cylinder causing it to burn and hence expand and thus provides power to drive the car.

Basic Engine Parts

Engine Block

The lower heavier section is the engine block, a casing for engines main moving parts like cylinders, pistons and crankshaft

Cylinder Head

The detachable upper cover is the engine head which houses the injectors, valves and spark plugs.

 

 

Valves

System that open/close inlet outlet port to control the flow of gases or fluids within an engine.

Easiest way to understand a valve is when you turn on a faucet (tap) to brush your teeth, you’re opening a valve that allows pressurized water to escape from a pipe.

 

 

Camshaft

Controls the valves to ensure timely opening and closing of ports

 

 

 

 

 

Injector

The nozzle and valve through which fuel is sprayed into a cylinder

 

 

 

Spark Plug

Ignites the compressed fuel/air mixture by an electric spark in the cylinder. Delivers electric current from an ignition system to the combustion chamber to ignite the compressed fuel/air mixture while controlling combustion pressure.

 

 

 

 

Piston

Piston transfers force from expanding gas in the cylinder to the crankshaft via a piston rod and/or connecting rod

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crankshaft

Converts the reciprocating movement of piston into rotary movement

Easiest way to understand a crankshaft – In real life ‘paddles’ on a bicycle is the most basic form of ‘Crank’ – where the two levers that help to multiply the force supplied by our leg muscles as they pump up and down

 

 

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