Car Engine Parts

Virtually everyone has traveled in or owns an automobile today. They are as commonplace as the shoes on your feet. However many people do not understand what really makes that engine run. The engine and all its many parts are quite basic and it would help if you understand what they are.

Main Engine Parts

The primary part of the engine that makes everything else work is the cylinder block and what is inside. That would be the piston moving up and down providing power to everything else an engine does. Even a lawn mower has an engine and although usually it is just one piston, it works just like your automobile does. Car engines typically come in three different configurations. Those would be inline, “V” and flat (often called boxer). They all have advantages and disadvantages in terms of smoothness, manufacturing costs and shapes.

Pistons

The pistons within the cylinders move up and down and provide the actual movement of whatever the engine is being used for.

Piston Rings

These rings that circle pistons provide a seal around the outside of the piston to keep the fuel and air mixture from leaking into the sump throughout the cycle of compression and combustion and keep oil from leaking out of the sump into the combustion area. If your piston rings become worn and do not seal properly your automobile will most likely begin to “burn” oil and your car will not be running efficiently.

Sump

The sump is an area that encases the crankshaft. There is oil in the sump which keeps the pistons and connecting rods lubricated while performing their tasks. Many call this the oil pan.

Crankshaft

The crankshaft is what makes the pistons continue with up and down motions. It operates in a circular motion with the pistons and the rods keeping them in constant motion.

Connecting rods

Connecting rods are what attach the crankshaft to the pistons. It can rotate at both ends. It provides the piston with the ability to move the crankshaft for production of power.

Spark Plugs

The spark plug is what provides the actual power to make the engine work. It uses an electrical spark to ignite the air and fuel mixture providing combustion. This spark is exactly timed making an engine do what it does.

Valves

For the spark plug to work there has to be an exact amount of air and fuel in the combustion chamber and it must he held there until ignition takes place. Valves are what make that occur. There is an intake and an exhaust valve. They open and close allowing the air/fuel mix in and holding it there for ignition. They both will close during the combustion cycle.