Powertrain Overview: The Internal Combustion Engine (2024)

Posted on 19 March 2019|Share: |Powertrain Overview: The Internal Combustion Engine (1) Print

Powertrain Overview: The Internal Combustion Engine (2)

Since the creation of the first modern automobile nearly a century and a half ago, there has been one dominant engine option on the market, the gasoline internal combustion engine. Now the gasoline internal combustion engine has some challengers trying to steal the crown. There have been many different types of engines in the past but many of them relied solely on fossil fuels to operate.

Recently because of increasing fuel economy standards and emission awareness, a new breed of engines is emerging. Many are relying on electricity to aid in powering the vehicle. With these new power plants comes a new set of rules and warnings on how to repair them. A lot of collision technicians have an idea about how some of the new powertrains work, but not a full understanding of what is going on under the hood. It is important to understand the inner workings of the engine in order to safely and properly diagnose and repair them after a collision. In this series, we’ll walk you through many of the current engine options and how they convert the fuel they’re consuming into usable power. Let’s explore the gasoline internal combustion powertrain.

Internal combustion engines use fuel to create an explosion (power) to move a piston down. Although there are many different designs to an internal combustion engine, there are three crucial components needed to make one run, a fuel to burn, oxygen to support combustion, and an ignition source to start combustion. These powertrains use a 12 V battery system to start the vehicle and power the accessories. The battery is charged by an alternator powered by the engine.

The piston is attached to a crankshaft via a connecting rod, which converts the piston’s up and down movement into a rotational force. This rotation is then used to turn transmission causing the vehicle to move. As the engine runs it also recharges the vehicle accessories and recharges the battery. For collision repair this is the standard engine that have been seen for decades.

Modern internal combustion engines have a significant amount of sensitive electrical components on them. Due to this, it is crucial to disconnect and isolate the battery and electrical system when making repairs and welding on the vehicle. The added electrical current from welding can damage important electrical components for the engine. Finally, engine cooling and lubrication is a major part of an internal combustion engine. Heat created from combustion needs to be removed and oil may need to be cooled also. This makes the front radiator critical to engine performance and proper procedures should be followed when replacing them.

Additional I-CAR Collision Repair News you may find helpful:

Related I-CAR Courses

Course Powertrain and Driveline System Operation and Damage Analysis

Course Powertrain and Driveline System Troubleshooting and Service

Powertrain Overview: The Internal Combustion Engine (2024)

FAQs

What is the powertrain of the internal combustion engine? ›

In a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE), the powertrain converts the stored gasoline or diesel energy to kinetic energy in the engine and transfers it via the transmission, driveshaft and differential as torque to the wheels of the vehicle, propelling it forward.

What is internal combustion engine overview? ›

In an internal combustion engine (ICE), the ignition and combustion of the fuel occurs within the engine itself. The engine then partially converts the energy from the combustion to work. The engine consists of a fixed cylinder and a moving piston.

What is the full form of ICEV? ›

Internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV) is a vehicle that is powered by a regular internal combustion engine (ICE).

What does it mean when your powertrain light comes on? ›

If you see this indicator light come on in your car, you should take it very seriously, as these parts are extremely complex, and can result in very costly repairs. Generally, this indicator light means a problem has been detected in the automatic transmission (not applicable in manual transmission cars) or transaxle.

What are the 4 type of internal combustion engine? ›

Internal-combustion engines are the most broadly applied and widely used power-generating devices currently in existence. Examples include gasoline engines, diesel engines, gas-turbine engines, and rocket-propulsion systems.

What is the main purpose of the internal combustion engine? ›

In the fundamental sense, an internal combustion engine converts the chemical energy available in the fuel (conventionally petroleum-based) through combustion to thermal energy, and, through expansion of the working fluid, converts the thermal energy to mechanical work with the crank-slider mechanism converting linear ...

What is the main part of an internal combustion engine? ›

They have a lot of different parts, including cylinders, pistons, crankshafts, and camshafts. These parts work together to create a controlled explosion that turns the wheels of vehicles. Though internal combustion engines are still the most common type of engine in use today, they do have some drawbacks.

What is iCEV used for? ›

With iCEV, you have everything you need to plan courses, certify students, and prepare them for success - all in one place. Our easy-to-use, comprehensive CTE solution provides you the necessary resources and systems to do your best work. Sign up today and change your learners' lives.

What is the meaning of BEV? ›

abbreviation for battery electric vehicle: a type of vehicle that runs on electricity from batteries and does not use any other source of power: We want to demonstrate that a BEV can also be fun to drive. Some newer BEVs have much shorter charge times. Compare. EV.

What is the full meaning of ECAS? ›

Export Credit Agencies and Investment Insurance Agencies, commonly known as ECAs, are public agencies that provide government-backed loans, guarantees, credits and insurance to private corporations from their home country.

What are three things an internal combustion engine? ›

Internal combustion engines use fuel to create an explosion (power) to move a piston down. Although there are many different designs to an internal combustion engine, there are three crucial components needed to make one run, a fuel to burn, oxygen to support combustion, and an ignition source to start combustion.

What are the five key events of an internal combustion engine? ›

A four-stroke cycle engine completes five Strokes in one operating cycle, including intake, compression, ignition, power, and exhaust Strokes. The intake event is when the air-fuel mixture is introduced to fill the combustion chamber.

What are the four engine strokes? ›

Four-stroke cycle used in gasoline/petrol engines: intake (1), compression (2), power (3), and exhaust (4). The right blue side is the intake port and the left brown side is the exhaust port.

What is the powertrain system of the engine? ›

A powertrain is an assembly of every component that pushes your vehicle forward. Your car's powertrain creates power from the engine and delivers it to the wheels on the ground. The key components of a powertrain include an engine, transmission, driveshaft, axles, and differential.

What is included in the powertrain warranty? ›

What does a powertrain warranty include? It covers the parts of a car that provide power and make it move, including the engine, transmission, and drivetrain. Other components included are transfer cases, differentials, and engine internal workings.

What is powertrain system failure? ›

A powertrain malfunction is a general term used to describe a problem in the engine or transmission. The powertrain refers to the assembly that propels a vehicle forward, including components such as the engine, the transmission, the driveshaft, the axles, and the differential.

What's the difference between drivetrain and powertrain? ›

The difference between powertrains and drivetrains

The drivetrain consists of the transmission, axles, driveshaft, and differential, as well as the CV joints. The powertrain is composed of all of that PLUS the engine.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Merrill Bechtelar CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 5758

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Merrill Bechtelar CPA

Birthday: 1996-05-19

Address: Apt. 114 873 White Lodge, Libbyfurt, CA 93006

Phone: +5983010455207

Job: Legacy Representative

Hobby: Blacksmithing, Urban exploration, Sudoku, Slacklining, Creative writing, Community, Letterboxing

Introduction: My name is Merrill Bechtelar CPA, I am a clean, agreeable, glorious, magnificent, witty, enchanting, comfortable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.