gasoline engine [2]

Engine in which a mixture of air and gasoline is compressed and ignited to produce an explosion whose energy is converted into mechanical energy.

oil pan

Container closing the bottom of the engine block; it is the reservoir for the oil that lubricates the engine’s moving parts.

air conditioner compressor

Component of the air-conditioning system circulating coolant, which cools the air in the passenger compartment when it is hot outside.

flywheel

Disk connected to the crankshaft, which uses the kinetic energy produced at combustion to regulate the crankshaft rotation during the rest of the cycle.

exhaust manifold

Set of pipes at the exit of the cylinders, capturing the combustion gases to conduct them to the exhaust pipe.

spark plug cable

Electric wire carrying the high-voltage current from the distributor to the spark plugs, which produce sparks igniting the explosion.

cylinder head cover

Part of the engine covering the cylinder heads, where the fuel is burned.

vacuum diaphragm

Device connected to the distributor cap specifying the precise moment ignition must be produced relative to the engine’s rotation speed.

distributor cap

Unit supplying the electric current necessary for producing sparks that ignite the fuel in the engine.

oil drain plug

Plug closing the hole at the bottom of the oil pan through which used oil is evacuated.

fan belt

Rubberized bands mounted on a pulley and linked to the engine, driving the fan and the alternator.

pulley

Part attached to a shaft, whose rotational movement it transmits by means of a belt.

cooling fan

Mechanism with blades blowing air across the radiator in order to cool the liquid it contains.

alternator

Current generator driven by the engine, which recharges the battery to supply the electric system.

spark plug

Electric device whose two electrodes produce the spark necessary to ignite the air/fuel mixture in the cylinder.

rocker arm

Lever, activated by the camshaft, that drives the inlet and exhaust valves to open them.

piston

Metal moving part in the cylinder and attached to the connecting rod; it compresses the air/fuel mixture, then receives the thrust from the burned gases.

engine block

Main engine casing, which encloses the cylinders.

exhaust valve

Part that opens to allow the burned gases to escape.

oil pan gasket

Packing providing the seal between the oil pan and the engine block.

crankshaft

Shaft consisting of a series of cranks, which convert the alternate rectilinear motion of the piston/connecting-rod assembly into a continuous circular motion.

connecting rod

Articulated shank powered by the gas explosion; it transmits the thrust from the piston to the crankshaft.

piston skirt

Side surface of a piston guiding it along the inside of the cylinder.

piston ring

Circular ring mounted on the piston providing a seal between it and the cylinder.

combustion chamber

Part of the cylinder in which the pressurized air/fuel mixture is ignited and burned.

inlet valve

Part that opens to let the air/fuel mixture into the cylinder.

camshaft

Axle driven by a belt, a chain or gears connected to the crankshaft, controlling the opening and closing of the valves.

timing belt

Strap connecting the crankshaft to the camshaft.

valve spring

Spring that brings the valve back into the closed position.

intake manifold

Passages through which the air/fuel mixture enters the cylinder.

fuel injector

Device pulverizing the fuel in the combustion chamber.