Carsut – Understand cars and drive better

Tag: engine

  • List of Car Parts

    Here’s a complete list of car parts and their functions. The list here includes almost everything you can see on a car such as car body, wheels, tires, seats, battery, interior, dashboard, as well as every part under the hood. Each part on a car has name. You should learn the top 10 most important auto parts and components to make things easier when it comes to car maintenance. The list here is sorted from A to Z according to car parts vocabulary word. Let’s begin to learn the ABC!
    list of car parts automobile

    A

    accelerator
    accessory belt
    airbag
    air conditioner
    air conditioning – a complete ac system includes A/C cluth, A/C compressor, A/C condenser, A/C hose, A/C kit, A/C relay, A/C valve, A/C expansion valve, A/C low-pressure valve, A/C schrader valve, A/C INNER PLATE, A/C cooler, and A/C evaporator.
    air conditioning compressor – a main component to put freon in the AC system for you to stay cool inside the car.
    air filter – filter all the unwanted dust and allergens before the air gets into your car.
    air intake housing – car parts under hood
    air intake manifold – car parts under hood
    air vent
    alarm and siren
    all-wheel drive
    alternator – there are alternator bearing, bracket, fan and other alternator parts. It allows your car battery to charge while the engine is running.
    anchor
    antenna
    anti-lock brakes system (ABS)
    armrest
    auto
    automatic transmission
    automobile
    axle – an important part of any car to keep the wheel rolling.

    B

    baby car seat
    baby seat
    back-up lights
    battery – this is the main thing/power to turn on your car. There are battery box, cable terminal, cable, control system, plate and tray.
    bench seat
    bleed nipple
    bonnet
    brakes – you can’t stop a car without a brake system. this include brake fluid, drum, lining, pad, pedal, piston, pump, roll, rotor, server, shoe, lining, caliper, hose, hydraulic booster, master cylinder, metering valve, vacuum brake booster, and wheel cylinder.
    brake backing plate
    brake backing pad
    brake cooling duct
    brake disc
    brake light
    brake pedal
    bucket seat
    bumper – there are unexposed bumper and exposed bumper

    C

    camshaft – car parts under hood with bearing, fastener, follower, locking plate, pushrod and spcer ring
    car
    carburetor – it mixes air with a fine spray of liquid fuel for combustion.
    carpet
    catalytic converter – reduce the emissions from your vehicle.
    center console (front and rear)
    central locking
    chassis
    chassis control computer
    child car seat
    chrome trim
    clutch – clutch move form gear to gear to keep the driving smoothly.
    computer
    connecting rod – connecting rod bearing, bolt and washer.
    console
    cooling system
    cowl screen
    crank case
    crank pulley
    crankshaft
    cruise control
    cylinder
    cylinder head
    cylinder head gasket

    D

    dashboard – there are center console and glove compartment
    defroster
    decklid – a cover allows you to access to the main storage or luggage compartment. Mostly on a station wagon.
    diesel engine
    differential
    dip stick
    distributor
    distributor cap
    door
    door contact
    door handle
    drive belt
    drive shaft
    driver’s seat

    E

    emergency brake
    emergency lights
    emissions
    engine – see the labeled diagram of car engine for better understanding.
    engine block
    engine cradle
    engine computer and management system
    engine control unit (ECU)
    engine fan – to keep air flowing over the radiator to cool down the engine coolant.
    exhaust pipe
    exhaust system – exhaust clamp and bracket, flange gasket, manifold, pipe, heat shield, heat sleeving and tape, and spacer ring.

    F

    fan belt
    fascia rear and support
    fender
    filter
    floor mat
    fog light
    four-wheel drive
    frame
    front clip
    fuel
    fuel cap
    fuel filter
    fuel gauge
    fuel injector – it gets the gasoline/petrol from the fuel tank into the engine.
    fuel pump
    fuel pressure regulator
    fuel rail
    fuel tank
    fuse
    fuse box

    G

    gas
    gasket
    gas pedal
    gas gauge
    gasoline
    gas tank
    gauge – ammeter, clinometer, dynamometer, fuel gauge, manometer, hydrometer, odometer (also called milometer/mileometers), speedometer, tachometer (rev counters), temperature gauge, tire pressure gauge, vacuum gauge, voltmeter, water temperature meter.
    gearbox
    gear shift
    gear stick
    glove compartment
    glowplug
    GPS
    grab handle
    grille
    ground strap

    H

    halogen
    hand brake
    headlamp
    headlight – also called headlamp
    headrest – also called armrest monitors
    heater
    high-beam headlights
    hood
    horn – or trumpet horn
    hubcap
    hybrid

    I

    ignition
    ignition coil
    ignition magneto
    indicator light – also called signal light/lamp
    instrument panel
    interior light
    internal combustion engine

    J

    jack – a car jack is important because you can’t change your tire without it.

    K

    key

    L

    license plate
    lights
    lock
    low-beam headlights
    lug bolt
    lug nut
    LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) system

    M

    manifold
    manual transmission
    mat
    mirror
    mirror monitors
    moon roof
    motor
    mud flap
    muffler – the main job is to decrease the amount of noice emitted by the exhaust of an internal combustion engine.

    N

    navigation system

    O

    0-ring
    odometer
    oil
    oil filter
    oil gasket
    oil tank

    P

    parking brake
    parking lights
    passenger seat
    pedal
    pillar and hard trim
    piston – parts inside a gasoline engine to handle explosions. It’s also where your car get the horsepower.
    piston pin and crank pin
    piston pin bush
    piston ring and circlip
    power brakes
    power steering
    power window switch

    Q

    quarter panel

    R

    radiator – a major part under the hood to keep the car’s engine cool all the time.
    radio – see list of car audio brands
    rag top
    rear-view camera
    rear-view mirror
    rear window defroster
    relay
    relay connector
    remote lock
    reverse light
    rims – there are hubcap at the center
    rocker
    rocker cover
    roll cage
    roof
    roof rack
    rotary engine

    S

    seat – bench seat, bucket seat, children seat, infant seat.
    seat belt
    seat bracket
    seat cover
    seat track
    shift
    shock absorber – an important part to reduce the stress of the bumping and make your ride more pleasant.
    side airbags
    side mirror
    spare tire – nowadays some new cars feature run-flat tires and you don’t see these anymore.
    spark plug – very high voltage as it uses an electric spark to ignite fuel in the engine. This is
    sparking cable
    speaker
    speedometer
    spoiler – there are front spoiler and rear spoiler
    starter – there are starter drive, starter motor, starter solenoid
    starter motor
    steering column
    steering wheel
    subwoofer
    sunroof
    sun visor
    supercharger
    suspension – come with beam axle, control arm, axle, idler arm, kingpin, panhard rod, pitman arm, rack end, spindle, steering arm, steering box, steering column, steering rack, tie bar, tie rod, and trailing arm.
    switches – battery switches, door switch, ignition switch, power window switch, steering column switch, swtich cover, switch panel, thermostat, frame swith and other parts and functions of starter system.

    T

    tachometer
    tailgate
    temperature gauge
    thermometer
    thermostat
    throttle body
    tire
    trailer hitch
    transmission – very complicated thing. In a nutshell, it turns the power from engine into movement and transmit it all the way to the four wheels on a car.
    trim
    trip computer
    trunk – also called boot or hatch
    turbo charger
    turn signal

    U

    undercarriage
    unleaded gas

    V

    valance
    valve
    valve cover
    valve housing
    valve spring
    valve pump pulley
    vents
    visor

    W

    water neck
    water pipe
    water pump
    water pump gasket
    water tank
    warning light
    welded assembly
    wheel
    wheel well
    window
    window regulator
    window seal
    windshield – also called windscreen
    windshield washer motor
    windshield wiper

    From time to time, we are making the list better and better. There are so many car parts in a car and some parts are definitely missing. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you find any car part is missing from the list above. We will add it in to make the list of car parts a 100% complete one. Last but not least, see also:

  • How to Winterize Your Car

    While winter is around the corner, it is vital for everyone car owner to know how to winterize your car. Sometimes, it is tough to drive in winter time because of the road conditions, weather, and unexpected things that will happen during cold months. It is essential to know the basic things you need to check and prepare the best for your car before entering winter. Car parts such as tires, gasoline, brake pads, and all the fluid in your engine system play an important role during the winter. If you have no idea of what to do to your car for cold day, check out the 10 most vital things to do to winterize your car in a proper way.

    10 Tips to Winterize Your Car Correctly

    These are the 10 most important things you need to do in order to winterize your car correctly without spending extra money.

    1. Engine coolant

    It is necessary to have the right mixture of 60% coolant and 40% water in your radiator before the weather gets too cold especially if you live where temperatures get below freezing, for e.g., Alaska. The water in your radiator may turn into ice if the ratio is not right. 80% water and 20% coolant is definitely a bad idea. Your car engine will not function properly with ice in the radiator. Double check your owner’s manual or check with your mechanics for the perfect coolant mixture.

    2. Engine oil for the winter

    According to DMV, it is recommended to use thinner and less viscous engine oil during the winter. For example, if you use 10W-30 for your car in the summer, you can consider switching over to 5W-30 before entering cold months. It is highly recommended to refer to your car owner’s manual or seek for further advice from your mechanic. See also: Car engine won’t start.

    3. Measure tire tread and consider snow tires

    If your car tires are bald, replace a set of new one. To measure the tire tread, use a penny to go through the tire tread. It is time to replace a new one if you can see the Lincoln’s head. On the other hand, you can consider buying snow tires with studs if you live off the beaten path. Snow tires are built to deal with snow, ice and sleet. It can improve your car’s traction.

    4. Run a serious checking on belts and hoses

    Send your car to a trusted workshop and have your mechanic to check all the belts and hoses under your car’s hood. Replace those hoses if you see a crack on them or if you see any leaking. Hoses are cheap but if they break while you are driving, tow car will be the only way to get home.

    5. Check your battery, terminals and cables

    Weak battery is often the number one reason a car won’t start. The capacity of a battery is reduced by the cold weather. Run a complete checking on your battery, terminals, cables, fluid for any cracks and breaks. Test your car battery with a car battery tester. Replace a new car battery if it is not in healthy condition. See also: how to test a car battery.
    car battery

    6. Brake pads

    It is cool to see a car accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in a few seconds but it is also important to be able to stop a car from 60 to 0 mph. Check your brake pads and see if they need to be replaced. See also: how long do brake pads last.
    brake pads

    7. Replace your windshield wipers and washer fluid

    It is tough to drive in the rain during winter time especially if you are on the road late at night. Visibility levels are definitely low and it is recommended to replace your wipers with silicon wipers if they are in bad conditions. Silicon wipers are stronger and they often last longer. Also, you are suggested to use washer fluid with an antifreeze solution.

    8. Keep a set of emergency kit in your car

    Anything can happen during winter because the weather is cold and the sky is always dark. The best way to combat with winter is to keep a set of emergency kit inside your car such as flashlights, hydraulic jack, wrench, spare tire, emergency warning triangle, extra bottles of engine oil, brake fluid, coolant, blankets, boots, bread or food as well as tools to change out a flat.

    9. Always pump your fuel tank full

    In our car maintenance guide, we often mentioned that low fuel level will lead to many problems. Fuel pump failure is just one to be mentioned. Cold weather can cause condensation to form on the walls of a near-empty gas tank, and soon water will drip down into the gas. As water is heavier than gasoline, it might travel into fuel lines and then all the way to your car engine. This will not burn the engine but it will burn your wallet.

    10. Use antifreeze

    Consider to put a right amount of antifreeze in your radiator. A 50:50 ratio is the ideal amount. Antifreeze can keep fluids from freezing at temperatures as low as -34 degrees Fahrenheit (-36.67 degrees Celsius). Pre-mixed Antifreeze is cheap and they are available almost everywhere including gas stations and some grocery stores.

    That’s the top 10 things on how to winterize your car. Please leave a message with the comment features if you think something important is missed out.

  • Car Engine Won’t Start, Diagnose Now!

    It is very frustrating especially early in the morning when you are rushing for an appointment or about to go for work but your car engine won’t start. There are hundreds of reasons when a car engine is not able to start ranging from the simplest flat battery to more complicated problems such as engine malfunctions. The problem should not be a huge one and there is nothing to worry if your car is well-maintained according to the basic car maintenance schedule. Try out these tips and tricks below before you call a mechanic. There are at least five things you can do to fix the problem before sending it to a professional.

    1. Empty Fuel Tank

    Do not waste your time to open the hood if you have forgotten to refill the gas. Check if your fuel indicator is pointing the E (Empty). A car engine won’t be able to start without adequate fuel. If the engine starts for awhile and then dies immediately, it could also be the symptom of low fuel. Why not top up the fuel before checking other things?

    2. Flat Battery or Dead Battery

    If you make sure the fuel tank is full of gas, try to switch on the ignition and turn on the headlights or press the horn. A healthy car battery will give you a loud horn or bright headlights; a weak battery will give you a weak horn; a dead battery will give you nothing. You can use the method shared here to test your car battery (See also: How to test a car battery in a video). If the car battery is weak or drained, you can jump start it with another running car. You will need a jumper cable to connect both batteries, positive-to-positive and negative-to-negative.

    If the battery is nearly dead, you will be hearing a very weak cranking sound from the engine when you try to start it. A standard car battery can be used at least three years. If you have been using the same battery for more than three years, it is recommended to change a new one. See Walmart car battery prices if you are a Walmart fans.

    3. Starter Problem

    Now you have pretty sure that your car battery is working and the fuel tank is full with gas. Both important sources to create an internal combustion are there. Try to listen to the engine and see if it cranks. If it does not crank and there is a click sound from the starter when you turn the key from On to Start, it is probably your starter motor giving problem. An engine will not be able to start with a malfunction starter. Many people do not know what is a starter, therefore we recommend you to look for a mechanic or send the car to the nearest dealer for starter replacement.

    car engine

    4. Bad Spark Plugs

    A car engine won’t start with bad spark plugs because they do not supply any electric spark for the combustion to happen. One symptom of bad spark plugs is when you start the car, the engine cranks and turn over for a short while then stall. Another symptom of a bad spark plug is the engine starts but shakes regularly then stall right away. What you can do is pop the car hood, look for four or six thick wires (plug cables) which located in a row (see labeled diagram of car engine for a clearer picture). The end of these wires are spark plugs. Open up the spark plugs and check if there are black dirty burn marks covering all over the plugs. These black dirty burn marks are carbon deposits. Any damage to the electrode on the plug or worn out surface indicates the signs of a bad spark plug. It is time to change all of them! A car hesitates when accelerating is also another symptom of bad spark plug.

    5. Ignition Coil and Distributor

    Spark Plugs are new but the car still does not start. If you are starting an old car engine that come with an ignition coil and a distributor, you will need to trace where the electric “lost”. First, unplug one of the spark plug cables and touch it gently to any body part that is connected to the negative power. Get a helper to help you start the car. Observe it carefully if there is a spark at the end of the plug cable (the connector). If there is a spark, it means the coil and distributor are both working. You will need to check the ignition coil and distributor if there is no spark.

    Check the ignition coil. Get an auto circuit tester (test pen) and test both the positive and negative connector. Both should have lights which indicate the electric supply is available. One should be brighter and the other should be dimmer. There is a plug cable (plug wire) connect to the distributor from the coil. Unplug the cable end from the distributor and touch it tenderly to any car parts with negative power. Have someone to start the car and monitor if there is a spark. No spark indicates a malfunction coil and if there is a spark, it is mostly the distributor that is giving problem.

    Engine cranks but car won’t start is usually the symptoms of electrical problems including spark plugs, ignition, ignition coil, or distributor.

    6. Secure Lock

    For certain cars, you are not able to switch on the ignition with the steering locked. Turn the steering wheel a little bit to left and to right and you will be able to turn on the ignition. Check also if the gear is position at P (Parking). Some cars are not able to start if the gear is not position at P. See also: Learning to drive an automatic car.

    Above are the six basic ways to diagnose a car engine problem. It can be done easily for someone who does not really understand about car. You should consult a mechanic if the matter is more serious than you can imagine. Last but not least, it is highly recommended to check your car engine regularly in order to protect your car investment.

  • Labeled diagram of car engine

    The labeled diagram of car engine shared here is one of the best free car engine diagrams you can find.
    This is because the engine shown in the diagram below is one of the most basic yet simple car engines ever built over the century. It is an Austin 848 cc engine completed with all the important engine parts which make the engine runs. Most of the engine parts in this antique engine are still appearing in latest car although this engine does not come with a fuel injection system. (more…)