Air and fuel is burned in a cylinder. Expanding gases from the fuel burning pushes the piston down the cylinder in a reciprocating motion. Rod connecting the piston to the crank shaft turns reciprocating motion into rotating motion.
Car engines work on a 4-stroke cycle:
Intake:
Intake valve opens, fuel and air is drawn into the cylinder by the motion of the piston moving down in the cylinder.
Compression:
Intake valve closes, piston pushes up the cylinder and compresses the fuel and air mixture
Power:
Spark from spark plug ignites the fuel and air mixture, expanding gasses force the piston back down the cylinder.
Exhaust: Exhaust valve opens, piston moves up the cylinder and pushes exhaust gasses out of the cylinder. Cycle repeats a couple thousand times per minute
Latest Answers