General Flashcards
Automotive Technology
The study of self propelled vehicles and machines.
Automobile
A vehicle that is self propelled by a self contained motor/engine.
Engine
A machine that converts energy into motion.
V8
An eight cylinder engine with two banks of four cyclinders.
Internal Combustion Engine
An engine that generates mechanical energy/motion throught the burning of fuel and air.
Combustion Chamber
A space within an engine head where fuel is burned to create energy.
Combustion
A chemical reaction that occurs when a substance reacts rapidly with oxygen, releasing energy in the form of heat.
Piston
A cylindrical metal component that moves up and down inside an engine cylinder.
Cylinder
A cylindrical chamber/tube containing pistons and connecting rods.
Four Stroke Cycle
A process that involves four unique strokes of a piston creating a cycle that converts fuel into mechanical energy.
The Four Strokes
Intake, Compression, Combustion, and Exhaust.
Intake Stroke
The piston descends, sucking an air fuel mixture into the cylinder through the intake port.
Compression Stroke
The piston ascends with all valves closed, compressing the fuel air mixture, increasing it’s pressure.
Combustion Stroke
The spark plug ignites the compressed air fuel mixture, creating an explosion that pushes the piston downward.
Exhaust Stroke
The piston ascends with the exhaust valves open, allowing the burnt gasses to exit the cylinder.
Valves
Components that control the flow of air fuel mixtures into a combustion chamer, and gasses out from a combustion chamber.
Engine Block
The main structure of an engine that houses all of it’s components.
Engine Head/Cylinder Head
A structure that sits on the cylinders, forming the roof of combustion chambers.
Which components are housed within the engine head?
Combustion chambers, valves, and spark plugs.
Which components are housed within the engine block?
Cylinders, pistons, connecting rods, crankshaft, and sometimes the camshaft.
Crankshaft
A component that converts the pumping motion of a piston into rotational or spinning motion.
Balancing Lobes/Counterweights
Lobes that attach to the crankshaft to balance the forces produced by the pistons and connecting rods.
Oil Seal
A seal that prevents leaks where a crankshaft extends through a block.
Bearing Surface
The surface of the bearing that interacts directly with the moving component it supports.
Oil Filter
A device that removes contaminants from engine oil, transmission oil, lubricating oil, or hydraulic oil.
Lubrication Holes
Part of a system of oil passages that feed oil to the crankshaft’s bearings and connecting rods.
Oil Passages
Channels within the engine block, crankshaft, camshaft, and other components through which oil flows.
Oil Pan
A pan which a crankshaft is fitted into, and holds oil for a car’s engine.
Oil Pump
A component in the oil pan that pressurizes/pushes oil and sends it through the engine.
Oil Drain Bolt
A screw plug that’s located at the bottom of an enine’s oil pan that allows oil to drain when changing the oil.
Bearing
A machine element that reduces contact between two surfaces while allowing for controlled movement without friction.
Main Bearing Caps
Components that clamp the crankshaft into place by holding the main bearings and bolting to the bottom of an engine block.
Journal
A part of a shaft that rotates inside a bearing.
Shaft
An object with a long, narrow body, such as a pole or staff.
Crankshaft Journals
Main journals, Rod journals/Crankpins
Crankshaft Bearings
Main bearings, Rod bearings, Thrust bearings
Main Journal/Block Journal
A cylindrical surface on a crankshaft that fits into the engine block and rotates inside the main bearing.
Rod Journal/Crankpin
A cylindrical surface offset from the main journal centerline that fits into the connecting rod and rotates inside the rod bearing.
Main Bearings
Bearings that hold a crankshaft in place within the engine block while allowing the crankshaft to rotate.
Rod Bearings
Bearings that hold a crankshaft in place within a connecting rod while allowing the crankshaft to rotate.
Thrust Bearings
Bearings that reduce axial movement of the crankshaft and help it maintain position.
