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Understanding Car Engine Parts and Functions

May 1, 2025

Discover the Main Car Engine Parts and Their Functions

Introduction

  • Vehicles operate through the internal combustion engine (ICE) process.
    • Ignition and combustion of fuel within the engine.
    • Energy from combustion is partly converted into heat and mechanical torque.
  • Engine consists of several essential individual components working together.

Main Car Engine Parts

1. Engine Block & Cylinders

  • Engine Block: Backbone of the car's engine, typically made of aluminium or iron, housing core components.
    • Divided into three sections: cylinder head, block, and crankcase.
  • Cylinders: Metal tubes (4-16 depending on vehicle) where fuel burning happens, and piston reciprocates.
  • Cooling and Lubrication paths: Crucial for engine operation.

2. Pistons & Crankshaft

  • Pistons: Transfer energy from combustion to the crankshaft, propelling the vehicle.
    • Move up and down inside the cylinders pushed by heat and expanding gases.
  • Crankshaft: Connected to pistons, converting their linear motion into rotational motion.
    • Located in the lower engine block section, finely machined for balance.

3. Camshaft

  • Camshaft: Regulates the timing of valve opening and closing.
    • Absorbs rotary motion from the crankshaft and converts it back to linear motion.

Importance of Engine Cooling

  • Essential for maintaining engine performance.
    • Engines can reach high temperatures due to combustion and motion.
    • Proper cooling prevents overheating and potential catastrophic damage.
  • Water Pump: Heart of the cooling system, helps circulate coolant to dissipate heat.

Additional Resources

  • DOLZ: Provides high-quality spare parts such as water pumps, thermostats, and timing kits.
    • Ensures vehicle safety since 1934.

Links:


This summary provides a detailed overview of the main components of a car engine and emphasizes the importance of a proper cooling system to protect and sustain engine functionality.