How does a gas engine work?

All internal combustion engines are basically the same as when they were first invented. No matter what type of fuel is used they all work in about the same way. There are four requirements for the internal combustion engine to run. Fuel, Air, Spark, and to be in Time. If all of those conditions are met the engine will run! Now, without getting into each and every part in an engine I will attempt to give you the basics of how it works. The block: This is the container to hold all the different types of major components. Inside the block there are a crankshaft, pistons with rods, cylinders, camshaft, pushrods, valves, and the rocker arm. (along with many other associated components) Basically what happens is that through a carburetor (or some type of fuel metering device. this is usually the injectors for most vehicles today, including diesels) fuel is mixed with air from the air intake system so that a mist of air and fuel is provided into the top of the combustion chamber (a space abo ... more