The Parts of a Motor Engine

1.  Valve Train, Cylinder and Spark Plug

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     The valves have two main functions, to let air and fuel into the engine cylinders, and to dispose of the "waste" or combustion products from the engine. The intake valve lets fuel and air into the cylinder, while the exhaust valve releases the combustion products, or exhaust, when the fuel has been burned. During the process of combustion the valves must be completely sealed to make sure that fuel burns properly. The spark plug ignites the fuel inside the engine cylinder by producing an electric spark at calibrated intervals.

   Pistons, Connecting Rod and Crankshaft

   • During combustion, the piston is driven up and down in the cylinder. The pistons drive the crankshaft via connecting rods. The connecting rods are affixed to the crankshaft through the crankpins. The crankshaft transforms the piston's linear movement into rotary motion that is used to propel the vehicle.

   Oiling and Cooling System

   • The lubrication system's main function is to lubricate the pistons, crankshaft and connecting rods. The lubrication ensures that the crankshaft and other parts will continue to work properly when the engine is running. There are two types of lubrication system; the dry sump and the wet sump. The wet sump is built within the engine itself, while the dry sump uses a separate oiling system apart from the engine. Since combustion produces heat, a cooling system is required because the whole engine will fail if even a single part overheats. Most vehicle engines are liquid cooled, although some motorcycle engines are air cooled. The cooling system is usually located around the main engine block and head since these areas produce heat faster than the other parts.