Parts of an IC engine

1. Cylinder Block

• Function: Houses the cylinders where fuel combustion occurs. It supports and encloses the engine's moving parts.

• Material: Typically made of cast iron or aluminum alloy. Cast iron is durable and good at dampening vibrations, while aluminum is lightweight and offers better heat dissipation.

2. Cylinder Head

• Function: Sits on top of the cylinder block and closes the combustion chamber. It contains passages for air and fuel intake, exhaust, and houses the valves, spark plugs, and fuel injectors.

• Material: Usually made of cast iron or aluminum alloy, similar to the cylinder block, for durability and thermal conductivity.

3. Piston

• Function: Moves up and down within the cylinder, converting the energy from combustion into mechanical work to drive the crankshaft.

• Material: Typically made from aluminum alloy due to its lightweight and excellent heat conduction properties.

4. Piston Rings

• Function: Provide a seal between the piston and the cylinder wall to prevent the escape of combustion gases and control oil consumption.

• Material: Usually made from cast iron or steel, often with a coating of chromium or molybdenum to reduce wear and improve durability.

5. Connecting Rod

• Function: Connects the piston to the crankshaft and transmits the force from the piston to the crankshaft.

• Material: Typically made from forged steel for strength, though some high-performance engines use titanium or aluminum alloys.

6. Crankshaft

• Function: Converts the linear motion of the pistons into rotational motion to drive the vehicle’s wheels.

• Material: Usually made from forged steel or cast iron for strength and durability.

7. Camshaft

• Function: Operates the engine's valves (intake and exhaust) by pushing on lifters or rocker arms. The camshaft’s rotation is synchronized with the crankshaft.

• Material: Typically made from cast iron or forged steel.

8. Valves (Intake and Exhaust)

• Function: The intake valve allows the air-fuel mixture to enter the combustion chamber, and the exhaust valve allows the combustion gases to exit.

• Material: Usually made from heat-resistant alloys, such as stainless steel or nickel-based alloys, to withstand the high temperatures of combustion.

9. Flywheel

• Function: Stabilizes the engine’s rotation by storing rotational energy, smoothing out the engine’s power delivery, and assisting in starting the engine.

• Material: Made from cast iron or steel for durability and to maintain momentum.

10. Spark Plug (in Spark Ignition Engines)

• Function: Generates the spark needed to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber.

• Material: The body is usually made from steel, while the electrodes are made from materials like iridium, platinum, or nickel alloys.

11. Fuel Injector (in Diesel and Modern Petrol Engines)

• Function: Delivers the correct amount of fuel into the combustion chamber or intake manifold.

• Material: Typically made from stainless steel to resist corrosion and withstand high pressures.

12. Timing Belt/Chain

• Function: Synchronizes the rotation of the crankshaft and camshaft(s), ensuring that the engine’s valves open and close at the proper times during each cylinder’s intake and exhaust strokes.

• Material: Timing belts are usually made from rubber with high-strength fibers (such as Kevlar) embedded in them. Timing chains are made from steel.

13. Oil Pump

• Function: Circulates engine oil under pressure to the rotating bearings, sliding pistons, and the camshaft to lubricate and cool them.

• Material: Usually made from cast iron or aluminum alloys.

14. Oil Pan

• Function: Collects and stores engine oil, usually located at the bottom of the engine.

• Material: Typically made from stamped steel or aluminum.

15. Exhaust Manifold

• Function: Collects the exhaust gases from the engine’s cylinders and directs them to the exhaust pipe.

• Material: Usually made from cast iron or stainless steel, which can handle high temperatures.

16. Intake Manifold

• Function: Distributes the air-fuel mixture (in petrol engines) or air (in diesel engines) to the cylinders.

• Material: Typically made from aluminum or plastic composites for weight savings and improved airflow.

17. Gaskets

• Function: Seals the mating surfaces between various engine components (e.g., between the cylinder head and block) to prevent leaks of fluids like oil, coolant, and combustion gases.

• Material: Made from materials like composite, rubber, or metal, depending on the application.

18. Cooling System Components (Radiator, Water Pump, Thermostat)

• Function: Maintains the engine’s operating temperature by circulating coolant through the engine and then dissipating the heat.

• Material:

  • Radiator: Usually made from aluminum or copper.

  • Water Pump: Typically made from cast iron or aluminum.

  • Thermostat: Often made from brass or stainless steel.

19. Turbocharger

• Function: Increases the engine’s power by forcing extra air into the combustion chamber.

• Material: The turbine and compressor are usually made from aluminum or steel alloys, and the housing is typically cast iron or aluminum.