We all get mesmerized by the beauty of the exterior of a car, forgetting that the interior tells what the car would be able to do. There are many critical interior parts of the car that keeps it running, one of which is the engine. But car owners hardly pay attention to this car part which holds power necessary for the car’s functioning.
The engine is secured under the car’s hood and usually looks like a gigantic jumble of tubes, wires, and metal. Car engines come in different varieties and forms, performing the same function. Basic knowledge about them can help make the difference between selecting the right car and saving on servicing fees. Read ahead to learn about the types of car engines, how they work, and the different engine models and cylinder configurations.
How Car Engines Work
Although there are different car engine types when talking about layout and sizes, most cars are combustion engine vehicles (except the hybrid electric models). In an internal combustion (IC) engine, fuel is ignited and combusted to generate mechanical energy. And the process that results in the release of energy from the fuel and air mixture present in the engine is called combustion.
Internal combustion engines are made of pistons and cylinders. The generated mechanical energy pushes the pistons into motion, which rotates the crankshaft. And the gears set in motion by this process help move the vehicle’s wheels.
The Combustion Cycle
Thousands of controlled explosions occur within the engine every minute it is running. Many IC engines have a combustion cycle with four strokes. The processes include:
- Intake: When pistons move up and down with the crankshaft’s motion, they reach the valves placed on the camshaft. The downward motion of the piston and rotation of the camshaft by the timing belt causes the valves to open and release the air-fuel mixture. This stroke is caked intake.
- Compression: During the compression stroke, the intake and exhaust valves remain closed. And the upward motion of the piston compresses the mixture towards the spark plugs.
- Combustion: The spark plug creates a spark that ignites the air-fuel mix and causes a small explosion. The force from the explosion pushes the piston down rapidly and produces the energy that powers the engine.
- Exhaust: The exhaust stroke is the final process in the cycle. The exhaust valve opens when the piston gets to its lowest point. As the piston moves up again, it ejects the gases produced by the explosion through the exhaust valve. Then the process is repeated.
Some engines use turbocharging to force in more air. Turbochargers are small turbines connected to engines. They produce an enormous explosion which results in more power. Turbo engines were first used to make more power in sports cars but are now used in smaller cars as well for more efficiency.
Diesel engines are also four-stroke engines. However, they are different from petrol engines in how they complete the combustion process. They rely on high compression ratios instead of using spark plugs to ignite the fuel-air mix.
Car Engine Models
There are different layouts for car engines. Their differences arise when considering fitting the engine beneath the bonnet or improving its fuel efficiency and smoothness. The following are the most common layouts:
- Inline
- Straight
- V
- VR and W
- Flat
Inline
In the inline engine layout, the cylinders are arranged in a line, with an upright position, usually perpendicular to the car. It is a popular layout since it allows for a more compact engine. And can be found in several small hatchback cars.
Straight
In a straight engine layout, cylinders are positioned in a line parallel to the car (front to back). For this reason, more cylinders can fit into the engine, allowing more power output. The layout is popular among powerful cars.
V
The cylinder arrangement depicts a V-shape when you look at the V-engine from the front side. The cylinders are arranged at a 60-degree angle. The V layout is found in high-performance vehicles as it allows for the squeezing of more cylinders, thus increasing the power output. Additionally, its cylinders consume less space compared to other engine layouts.
VR and W
The Volkswagen Group developed this engine layout. It has the same principle as V engines. But the cylinders have a very narrow space between them, and it looks like they are squished together in one block. The W configuration joins the two banks of VR engines at the base. However, manufacturers rarely use this layout.
Flat
The cylinders are arranged horizontally in a flat engine layout, with two rows facing outwards. This layout is not very common in cars, but they are well-regarded for keeping the center of gravity low, which aids car handling. Porsche and Subaru are one of the largest manufacturers using this layout.
Engine Cylinder Configurations
There are different types of engine cylinder configurations. Like cylinder arrangement, the number of cylinders can also determine the fuel efficiency, power, and noise an engine makes. Let’s take a look at them:
- Twin-Cylinder
- Three-Cylinder
- Four-Cylinder
- Five-Cylinder
- Six-Cylinder
- Eight+ Cylinders
Twin-Cylinder
This engine type is rare because it offers a low power output. Nonetheless, some manufacturers use turbo for cars equipped with twin-cylinder engines to increase power. An example is the Fiat TwinAir which can be found in cars like the Fiat Panda Aria and the Fiat 500 TwinAir.
Three-Cylinder
Three-cylinder engines produce prattling noises and exhibit shuddering vibration because of the odd number of cylinders which affects the engine’s balance. These engines are used on small cars. However, with the introduction of turbochargers, they now appear on larger family hatchbacks like the Ford Focus.
Four-Cylinder
Four-cylinder engines are found in several cars ranging from small to mid-range ones and are usually in an inline engine layout. This cylinder configuration is the most common. They offer a significant power output which can also be increased by introducing a turbocharger.
Five-Cylinder
Five-cylinder engines are rarely used since they have a vibration effect similar to three-cylinder engines. One manufacturer that uses five-cylinder engines is Volvo because the car’s comfort neutralizes the vibration effect.
Six-Cylinder
This cylinder configuration is found in sports and high-performance cars and is usually arranged in a straight or V-engine layout. Six-cylinder engines were not considered powerful, but thanks to turbochargers, they are now fitted to powerful cars.
Eight+ Cylinders
Cars equipped with eight or more cylinders are usually supercars. They are usually arranged in a V formation, hence the names V8, V10, V12, and even V16, found in the Bugatti Veyron.
Conclusion
An engine is the heart of a car. It transforms heat energy from the combustion process into mechanical energy that causes the car to move. Furthermore, there are different types of car engines, each offering different forms of power output and efficiency.
If you are interested in car parts and engine parts, visit our website at York Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram. Schedule an appointment with us today for the best type of engine for cars.
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