Internal Combustion Engine Parts

The internal combustion engine parts are all the essential components that make up the machine that drives a vehicle. They are the cylinder, the piston, combustion chamber, connecting rod, crankshaft, valve, camshaft, block, carburetor, fuel injector, fuel, spark plug, exhaust, radiator. Each one of them plays an essential role, contributing to the overall purpose of the internal combustion engine, which is the conversion of the chemical energy contained in the fuel into a rotatory mechanical energy.

Cylinder- Each one of the circular cylinders contained in a block, in which the piston moves back and forth. 

Piston- The cylindrical-shaped mass which reciprocates back and forth in the cylinder, transmitting the gas pressure in the combustion chamber to the rotating chrankshaft. The top of the piston is called the “crown”, and the sides are called the “skirt”. 

Combustion Chamber- The end portion of the cylinder between the head and the face of piston. It is where combustion takes place. 

Connecting Rod- It is a rod connecting the piston with the crankshaft. 

Crankshaft- A rotating shaft, through which the engine work output is transmitted to external mechanical parts, such as differential gears and wheels. 

Valve- One of several round, flat-topped steel devices that regulates the flow of fuel into the cylinder at the proper time. 

Camshaft- Rotating shaft which pushes open the valves at a proper time in an engine cycle. 

Block- It is the body of the engine containing all the essential parts that make it work. It is usually made of cast iron, or aluminum. 

Carburetor- It is a flow device which regulates the proper amount of fuel, mixing it with air, into a combustible mixture. This process is called “carburetion”, which takes place in the cylinder. 

Fuel Injector- Pressurized nozzle which sprays the fuel into the incoming air on a spark ignition engine cylinder, or into the cylinder on a compression ignition engine. 

Fuel- It is the life and soul of the engine, setting in motion all its mechanical parts that propel the vehicle. It contains the chemical energy which is transformed into rotatory mechanical movement. It is done through explosion, which is a violent combustion. It could be gasoline, diesel, or natural gas, with the first two one being obtained from petroleum. 

Spark Plug- It provides gasoline engine cylinder with the spark that triggers the explosion, whose hot gases push the piston backwards. 

Intake Manifold- Piping system which delivers incoming air to the cylinders. 

Starter- A small electric motor geared to the engine flywheel that starts the engine. 

Exhaust- Flow system designed to remove exhaust residual gases from the cylinder away into the exterior. It is composed of an exhaust manifold, a thermal converter to reduce emission, a muffler, and a tail pipe. 

Oil- An important lubricant which reduces friction of the piston on the inside cylinder walls. It also contributes to cool down the engine, maintaining temperature at acceptable levels. Without oil, the engine would burn. 

Oil Pump- A device which carries oil from the oil sump to the required lubrication points. 

Radiator- It is a heat exchanger used to remove heat away from the engine coolant after the engine has been cooled. It is usually mounted in front of the engine.

Below, a cutaway drawing of a four-cylinder, 2.2 liter machine, showing the internal combustion engine parts, which make it work.