AL‐Azhar University

Internal Combustion
Engines
Question & Answers

Mohammed Taha
2015
 Mohammed Taha
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES

Classifications and Fundamentals

1. List five reasons two-stroke cycle are not used in automobile.
1. Produce too much exhaust pollution.
2. Have poor power output at low speeds.
3. Require more service than a four-stroke.
4. Must have motor oil mixed into the fuel.
5. Are not as fuel efficient as a four-stroke engine.

2. What is the meaning of TDC and BDC

‐ TDC (Top Dead Center) the piston is at the TDC when it is at the HIGHEST
POINT in the cylinder.
‐ BDC (Bottom Dead Center) the piston is at the BDC when it is at the LOWEST
POINT in the cylinder.

3. List and explain the basic parts of a camshaft.

‐ The camshaft has lobes that open each valve. It can be located in the engine block
or in the cylinder head
‐ The cam lobes are egg-shaped protrusions (bumps) machined on the camshafts.
One cam lobe is provided for each engine valve. A 4-cylinder engine camshaft
would have eight cam lobes, A 6-cylinder twelve lobes.
‐ The camshaft sometimes has a drive gear for operating the distributor and oil
pump. A gear on the ignition system distributor may mesh with this gear.
‐ An eccentric (oval) may be machined on the camshaft for a mechanical (engine
driven) fuel pump. It is similar to a cam lobe but is more round. As the cam turns,
the eccentric moves the fuel pump arm up and down.
‐ Camshaft journals are precisely machined and polished surfaces for the cam
bearings. Like the crankshaft, the camshaft rotates on its journals. Oil separates the
cam bearings and journals.

4. Where are two typical locations for the engine camshaft?

1. in the block.
2. in the cylinder head.

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5. Explain the function of the following:

a. A main thrust bearing.
- Limits how far the crankshaft can slide forward or reward in the block.
- Flanges are formed on the main bearing, the flanges almost touch the side, thrust
surfaces on the crankshaft, and this limits crankshaft endplay (front-to-rear
movement).
- Normally, only one of the main bearings serves as thrust bearing.

b. Crankshaft oil seals.

- Keep oil from leaking out the front and rear of the engine.
- Seals are placed around the front and rear of the crankshaft to contain this oil.
- Rear main oil seal:
- One or two-piece seal that fits around the rear of the crankshaft to prevent oil
leakage.
- Front main oil seal:
- One-piece seal pressed into the front cover.

c. Flywheel.
- Connects the crankshaft to the transmission or transaxle through a clutch or
torque converter.
- Helps smooth engine power pulses.
- Contains a large ring gear, which meshes with the starting motor gear to start the
engine.

d. Piston rings (in general).

- Seal the clearance between the outside of the piston and the cylinder wall
- Keep combustion pressure from entering the crankcase
- Keep oil from entering the combustion chambers

e. Valve lifters.
- Usually rides on the cam lobes and transfers motion to the rest of the valve train.

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6. Write difference between internal combustion engine & external combustion engine.
‐ Internal combustion engine since its fuel is burned inside the engine.
‐ In a gasoline or diesel reciprocating piston engine or in a gas turbine the
combustion takes place inside (internal) the device that compresses the air burns
the fuel and expands the combustion gases to produce usable mechanical energy.
However, the term "internal combustion engine" or ICE is usually only used to
refer to the gasoline or diesel piston engines.

‐ External combustion engine since its fuel is burned outside the engine.
‐ In a steam turbine or an old steam locomotive engine, the combustion takes place
in a boiler (external) and the resulting heat energy is moved in the form of
pressurized steam to a separate device for expansion and conversion to usable
mechanical energy.

7. At what speed does the camshaft revolve in relation to the crankshaft?

‐ The engine camshaft turns at one-halve crankshaft speed.

8. What purpose do the piston rings serve? By the aid of sketch, on three rings pistons,
in which rings groove is the oil control ring located.
Piston Rings
 Seal the clearance between the outside of the piston and the cylinder wall.
 Keep combustion pressure from entering the crankcase.
 Keep oil from entering the combustion chambers.
 Two upper compression rings to Prevent blow by.
 One lower ring to prevent engine oil from entering the combustion chamber.
 The oil control ring located at the lower ring groove in the piston.

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9. What are the functions of flywheel?

Flywheel functions:
‐ Connects the crankshaft to the transmission or transaxle through a clutch or torque
converter.
‐ Helps smooth engine power pulses.
‐ Contains a large ring gear, which meshes with the starting motor gear to start the
engine.

10. Every four stroke the engine produce two power stroke or energy-producing stroke.
True or false?
‐ False, PRODUCING ONE POWER STROKE

11. What is the function of crankshaft counterweights?

‐ The crankshaft are formed on the crankshaft to prevent vibration.
‐ The weight counteract the weight of the connecting rods, pistons, rings, and journal
offset.

12. Describe the function of the main thrust bearing?

‐ Limits how far the crankshaft can slide forward or reward in the block.
‐ Flanges are formed on the main bearing.
‐ The flanges almost touch the side, thrust surfaces on the crankshaft.
‐ This limits crankshaft endplay (front-to-rear movement).
‐ Normally, only one of the main bearings serves as thrust bearing.

13. List nine ways to classify an automotive engine?

‐ Cylinder arrangement.
‐ Number of cylinders.
‐ Cooling system type.
‐ Valve location.
‐ Camshaft location.
‐ Combustion chamber design.
‐ Type of fuel burned.
‐ Type of ignition.
‐ Number of strokes per cycle.

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14. With aid of sketch compare between conventional four stroke (reciprocating) engine
and wankel rotary engine?
Conventional four stroke (reciprocating) engine:
 Use four pistons.
 The crankshaft changes the up and down motion of the pistons into a useful
ROTATING motion.
 One power producing cycle take place every four strokes, and it requires two
complete crankshaft rotations to complete the four-stroke cycle.
1. Atmospheric pressure pushes the air-fuel mixture into the cylinder.
2. Compresses (squeezes) the air-fuel mixture, making it more combustible.
3. Burns the air-fuel mixture and pushes the piston down with tremendous force.
4. Burned gases are pushed out through the exhaust port.

wankel rotary engine:

 Uses a triangular rotor instead of pistons.
 The rotor orbits a main shaft while turning inside a specially shaped chamber; this
eliminates the reciprocating motion found in piston engines.
 Three complete power-producing cycles take place during every revolution of the
rotor:
"Three rotor faces produce three intake, compression, power, and exhaust events
per revolution."
1. Rotor movement produces a low-
pressure area, pulling the air-fuel
mixture into the engine.
2. As the rotor turns, the mixture is
compressed and ignited.
3. As the fuel burns, it expands and pushes
on the rotor.
4. The rotor continues to turn, and burned
gases are pushed out of the engine.

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15. Write difference between 2-stroke and 4-stroke engine.

Two-stroke Engine:
‐ Requires one revolution of the
crankshaft for complete power
producing cycle.
‐ Two piston strokes complete the intake,
compression, power, and exhaust events.
‐ The fuel and lubrication oil is premixed
and introduced into the engine through
the carburetor.
Or
‐ Not used for automotive applications
because of high emission levels and poor
fuel efficiency
‐ Requires only one revolution of the
crankshaft for a complete power-
producing cycle
‐ Two piston strokes complete the intake,
compression, power, and exhaust events
Four-stroke Engine:
‐ Requires two revolution of the crankshaft for complete power producing cycle.
(Every four stroke the engine produce two power stroke or energy-producing
stroke).
‐ Four piston strokes complete the intake, compression, power, and exhaust events.
‐ Almost all automobiles use four stroke cycle engines.
Or
‐ Requires four piston strokes to complete one cycle
‐ Every four strokes, the engine produces one power stroke
‐ Two complete crankshaft rotations are required to complete the four-stroke cycle
‐ Almost all automobiles use four-stroke-cycle engines

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Combustion in SI & Ci
16. What is the meaning of ignition limits? What are the ignition limits for
hydrocarbons and the practical limits for carbureted engines?
‐ The limits of fuel-air ratio where ignition of the charge is only possible within it.
‐ The lower and upper ignition limits of mixture depend upon mixture ratio and
temperature.
‐ The ignition limits are wider at increased temperature because of higher rates of
reaction and higher thermal diffusivity of the mixtures
‐ The ignition limits for hydrocarbons from 7 (rich) to 30 (lean)
‐ The practical limits for carbureted engines from 9 (rich) to 21 (lean).

17. List the requirements of an idea diesel injection system (only 6 requirements).
1. The fuel should be introduced into the combustion chamber within a precisely
defined period of the cycle.
2. The amount of the fuel injected per cycle should be metered very accurately.
3. The rate of injection should be such that it results in the desired heat release
pattern.
4. The quantities of the fuel metered should vary to meet changing speed and load
requirements.
5. The injected fuel must be broken into very fine droplets, i.e. good atomization
should be obtained.
6. The spray-pattern must be such that it result in rapid mixing of fuel and air.
7. The beginning and the end of injection should be sharp, i.e. there should not be any
dribbling or after-injection.
8. The injection timing, if desired, should change to suit the engine speed and load
requirements.
9. In the case of multicylinder engines, the distribution of the metered fuel among
various cylinders should be uniform.
10. In addition to the above requirements, the weight and the size of the fuel injection
system must be minimum, it should not be costly to manufacture and expensive to
attend to, adjust or repair.
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18. With the aid of sketches, explain the stages of combustion in comparison ignition
engine? What is meant by delay period? It is usually divided into two parts. Name
and describe them?
Stages of Combustion:
1. First Stage: (ignition delay period) during which some fuel has been admitted but
has not yet been ignited.
- The ignition delay is counted from the start of injection to the point where the P-θ
curve separate from the pure air compression curve.
2. Second Stage: (rapid or uncontrolled combustion) Following ignition.
- In this stage, the pressure rise is rapid.
- About one-third of the heat is evolved during this period.
- The period of rapid or uncontrolled combustion is counted from the end of delay
period to the point of maximum pressure on the indicator diagram.
3. Third Stage: (Controlled Combustion) at the end of the second stage the
temperature and pressure are so high that the fuel droplets injected during the last
stage, burn almost as they enter.
- Any further pressure rise can be controlled by the injection rate.
- The heat evolved by the end of the controlled combustion is about 70 to 80 % of
the total heat of the fuel supplied during the cycle.
- The period is assumed to end at maximum cycle temperature.
4. Fourth Stage: (After Burning) the combustion process should be end after the
third stage, but it continues because of poor distribution of the fuel particles.
- The total heat evolved by the end of entire combustion process is 95 to 97 % and
3 to 5 % of heat goes as unburnt fuel in exhaust.
- The duration of the after burning phase may correspond to 70-80 degree of crank
travel from TDC.

Delay Period:
‐ It the period during which some fuel has been admitted but has not yet been
ignited.
(i) Physical delay: the period of physical delay is the time between the
beginning of injection and the attainment of chemical reaction conditions. In
the physical delay period, the fuel is atomized, vaporized, mixed with air and
raised in temperature.
(ii) Chemical delay: in which preflame reaction start slowly and then accelerate
until local inflammation or ignition takes place. Generally, chemical delay is
longer than the physical delay.

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19. What are the normal range of compression ratios for the SI engine and CI engines?
What limits the maximum allowable compression ratio in the SI engines?
‐ The normal range of compression ratios for CI engines from 17:1 to 20:1.
‐ The normal range of compression ratios for SI engines from 8:1 to 10:1.
‐ The maximum allowable compression ratio in the SI engines is from 6:1 to 11:1.

20. Discuss the factors tending to reduce knocking in SI and CI engine.

In CI engines: In SI engines:
1. Low self-ignition temperature of 1. High self-ignition temperature of
the fuel. the fuel.
2. Short delay period 2. Long delay period
3. High compression ratio. 3. Low compression ratio.
4. High inlet temperature. 4. Low inlet temperature.
5. High inlet pressure. 5. Low inlet pressure.
6. High combustion chamber wall 6. Low combustion chamber wall
temperature. temperature.
7. Low speed. 7. High speed.
8. Large cylinder size. 8. Small cylinder size.

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21. What is the ignition lag? Discuss briefly the effect of engine variables on ignition
lag? Discuss the difference between ignition lag in SI engine and ignition delay in CI
engine?
‐ The ignition lag is the period during which the flame front spreads very slowly
and the fraction of burnet mixture is small.
‐ the effect of engine variables on ignition lag:
1. Fuel: higher self-ignition temperature of fuel the longer the ignition lag.
2. Mixture ratio: ignition delay is the smallest for the mixture ratio, which gives
the maximum temperature.
3. Initial temperature and pressure: the ignition lag decreases with an increase
in the temperature and pressure of the gas at the time of the spark.
4. Electrode gap: the lower the compression ratio, the higher is the electrode gap
required.
5. Turbulence: ignition lag is not much affected by turbulence intensity.

‐ The difference between ignition lag in SI engine and ignition delay in CI engine
that ignition lag in SI engines is similar to chemical delay in CI ignition engines;
there is no physical delay in SI engines.

22. Define the Cetane and Octane numbers?

‐ Octane number: is a value used to indicate the resistance of a motor fuel to knock.
Octane numbers are based on a scale on which isooctane is 100 (minimal knock)
and heptane is 0 (bad knock). “Also Known As: Octane Rating”
Examples: A gasoline with an octane number of 92 has the same knock as
a mixture of 92% isooctane and 8% heptane.
‐ Cetane number: is a measure of the fuel's delay of ignition time (the amount of
time between the injection of fuel into the combustion chamber and the actual start
of combustion of the fuel charge).
8. Diesel versus Gasoline
Gasoline Diesel
Lower compression High compression
8:1 to 10:1 17:1 to 25:1
Spark ignition Compression ignition
Throttle valve No throttle valve
Compresses air/fuel Compresses air
Fuel metered into intake manifold Direct injection into combustion chamber
Engine power controlled by Engine power controlled by the amount of
regulating air and fuel flow fuel injected

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23. Under what condition it is necessary for the carburetor to supply a rich mixture and
why?
24. Why a very rich mixture is required for idling while a rich mixture is required for
maximum power?

- During idling (from no load to about 20% of rated power)

The air supply is restricted by nearly closed throttle and the suction pressure is very
low.
This condition of low pressure gives rise to backflow of exhaust gases and air
leakage from the various parts of the engine intake system.
The exhaust pressure is higher than the intake pressure.
This increases the amount of residual gases.
During the suction process the residual gases expands reducing the fresh mixture
inhaled.
Increased dilution causes the combustion to be erratic or even impossible.
Irregular and slow combustion results in poor thermal efficiency and higher
exhaust emission.
So the fuel air ratios used for idling and low loads, say up to about 20 % of full
load, should be very rich for smooth engine operation (F/A ratio 0.08 or A/F ratio
12.5:1).

The amount of fresh charge brought in during idling is much less than that during
full throttle operation.
The pressure of exhaust gas tends to obstruct the contact of fuel and air particles a
requirement necessary for satisfactory combustion.
The richening of mixture increases the probability of contact between fuel and air
particles and thus improves combustion.

- During maximum power range (from about 75% to 100% rated power)
The mixture requirement for maximum power is a rich mixture, of A/F about 14:1
or (F/A = 0.07).
At high load, there is greater heat transfer to engine parts.
Enriching the mixture reduces the flam temperature and the cylinder temperature
thereby reducing the cooling problem and lessening the chances of damaging the
exhaust valves.

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Injection Gasoline & Diesel & Battery

25. List the requirements of an idea diesel injection system (only 6 requirements).
1. The fuel should be introduced into the combustion chamber within a precisely
defined period of the cycle.
2. The amount of the fuel injected per cycle should be metered very accurately.
3. The rate of injection should be such that it results in the desired heat release
pattern.
4. The quantities of the fuel metered should vary to meet changing speed and load
requirements.
5. The injected fuel must be broken into very fine droplets, i.e. good atomization
should be obtained.
6. The spray-pattern must be such that it result in rapid mixing of fuel and air.
7. The beginning and the end of injection should be sharp, i.e. there should not be
any dribbling or after-injection.
8. The injection timing, if desired, should change to suit the engine speed and load
requirements.
9. In the case of multicylinder engines, the distribution of the metered fuel among
various cylinders should be uniform.
10. In addition to the above requirements, the weight and the size of the fuel
injection system must be minimum, it should not be costly to manufacture and
expensive to attend to, adjust or repair.

26. List five possible advantages of gasoline injection system over carburetor system.
1. Improved atomization.
2. Better fuel distribution.
3. Smoother idle.
4. Improved fuel economy.
5. Lower emissions.
6. Better cold weather drive ability.
7. Increased engine power.
8. Simpler.

27. Explain the difference between throttle body and multiport injection systems.

- Throttle Body Injection: Injector nozzles are mounted in a throttle body assembly on
top of the engine
- Multiport Injection: Injectors are mounted in the intake ports going to each cylinder.

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28. Differentiate between timed injection, intermittent injection, and continuous

injection?

- Timed injection:
- Sprays fuel into the engine just before or as the intake valve opens.
- Intermittent injection:
- opens and closes injectors independent of engine intake valves.
- Continuous injection:
- sprays fuel into the intake manifold at all times.

29. List the typically included in EFI fuel delivery system.

- Components of EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) fuel delivery system

- Electric fuel pump: draws gasoline out of the tank and forces it into the pressure
regulator.
- Fuel filter: filtrate the fuel.
- Fuel pressure regulator: controls the amount of pressure entering the injector
valves.
- Injectors: when not energized, spring pressure hold the injector closed.
When current flows through the injector coil, the magnetic field attracts the injector
armature and the injector valve opens.

30. What is the purpose of the ignition coil resistance unit in the primary ignition
circuit?
- Provided in series with the primary winding To regulate primary current, for starting
purposes this resistor is bypassed so that more current can flow in the primary circuit.

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