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About This Quiz
There is nothing more frustrating than getting into your car, turning the key in the ignition ... and nothing. Your engine just won’t start, and you are going nowhere.
That’s because if your car’s engine is not working, the wheels can’t turn. It is that simple. A car engine provides the necessary power to get you going. Of course, it is far more complicated than that. The power created by the combustion of the fuel/air mixture needs to be fed through the gearing system (or transmission) to the differential and then finally to the wheels.
How did those magnificent people of more than a century ago figure this all out? Thank goodness they did, right? A car engine is a mass of parts, all needing to work perfectly so your engine can run properly but also efficiently. But just how much do you know about engines and the parts they're made from? Can you name them from just an image? It's not easy because they are so many. Let’s test you and see just how many of them you actually can identify.
But you are going to have to be quick because we expect you to finish this quiz in 11 minutes! Let's get started.
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Which of these parts releases the gases created through combustion within the engine?
Exhaust valve
It is essential for all the gasses created by the combustion process to be released into the exhaust system. This valve does that. They are then processed through the catalytic converter and released through the tailpipe.
Coil
Tappet cover
None of the above
Wiki Commons by Bill Abbott
By what other name is a horizontally opposed engine known?
V12
Boxer
A boxer engine, or horizontally opposed engine, sees cylinders arranged on either side of a crankshaft. These are sometimes found in Porsche cars.
In-line
None of the above
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Which small ring controls the rate of oil consumption within the cylinders of the engine?
Spark plug lead
Connector pin
Oil control ring
This ring is found under the umbrella of the piston rings. And what does the oil control ring do? It makes sure the correct amount of oil is used in the cylinders of the engine.
O-ring
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Name the part that moves the engine valves.
Water pump pulley
Crankshaft oil seal
Glow plug
Valve lifter
Valve lifters do exactly what their name suggests. They help to lift the valves within the engine, opening and closing them when needed. They are also known as hydraulic tappets.
Youtube via MicksGarage.Com
Which of these connects a number of engine parts together using sprockets?
Resonator
Fan belt
The fan belt is made from rubber. It connects several components of the engine, including the cooling fan, alternator and the crankshaft pulley. Sometimes you may hear a loud squealing coming from beneath the hood. That's a worn fan belt.
Muffler
Camber arm
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An engine losing compression won't run properly. Which engine part ensures this doesn't happen?
Camshaft follower
Piston pin bush
Gungeon pin
Compression ring
If there is a compression problem in a cars engine, it will run poorly, if at all. A compression ring helps to form a seal with the cylinder wall within the engine.
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Can you name the part found in modern engines that uses sensors to ensure the motor runs optimally at all times?
Choke cable
ECU
An integral part of modern engines, an engine control unit or ECU is the brain of the engine. It uses a series of sensors that ensure the engine runs optimally at all times.
Thermostat
Intake manifold
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What part ensures the air coming into the engine is clean?
Connecting rod bolt
Air filter
The air entering your car's engine needs to be clean. This is the air filter's job. Depending on the roads you drive on, it should be replaced every 15,000 to 30,000 miles, and more often if you drive on dusty, unpaved roads.
Cylinder headcover
Ignition coil
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Name the fasteners you find connected to the cylinder head.
Drawing pin
Cylinder head bolts
Also called head bolts, cylinder head bolts secure a cylinder head and its gasket to the engine block. To remove the cylinder head, you have to unscrew them. And of course, together with their gasket, they need to form a perfect seal.
Zip ties
None of the above
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Which engine part connects the crankshaft to the piston?
Vibration absorber
Camshaft pushrod
Crankshaft oil seal
Connecting rod
The piston within the cylinder is connected to the crankshaft by the connecting rod. In fact, there are usually two of these connected to each piston. Why two? Well, if they were to fail, it would cause massive damage to your engine.
Wiki Commons via Steev Selby
Can you name the engine part that cools the air in a turbocharged engine?
Muffler
Intercooler
An intercooler is part of a turbocharged engine only. By reducing the temperature of the air into the turbocharger, it is made denser, thus creating more power.
Cambelt
Exhaust gasket
n/a
Which of these turns the engine over during startup?
Starter motor
When you turn the key in your ignition, the starter motor engages. It turns the engine over, starting it. If your starter motor fails, your engine cannot start.
Camshaft locking plate
Rocker arm
Drive belt
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What is the name of the system that starts your car?
Climate control system
Ignition system
Without the ignition system, a car will simply not start. There are many parts to an ignition system, including the battery, coil and solenoid, to name a few.
Exhaust system
None of the above
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In this image, we have a part that helps remove impurities from the lubricant in your engine. Can you name it?
Fuel filter
Air filter
Oil filter
Oil keeps all the moving parts of an engine lubricated. An oil filter helps to remove impurities in the oil that might damage the engine. From time to time, you would need to replace the filter as it will get clogged up. Don't worry; your mechanic should do this when you have your car serviced.
None of the above
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Along which systems are gases produced during the combustion of the fuel/air mixture moved?
Exhaust system
The by-products of the combustion of the gas/air mixture during combustion are various gasses. These need to be removed from the engine through the exhaust system, starting with the exhaust manifold which collects the gases from the various cylinders then sends them down the exhaust system and out the tailpipe​.
Cooling system
Climate control system
None of the above
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Which of these engine parts is often shortened to just a few letters?
Single overhead camshaft
An engine with a single overhead camshaft (OHC) only had one of these engine parts. But what does it do? It opens and closes the exhaust and intake valves.
Oil filter
Gas tank
None of the above
Wiki Commons by Buschtrommler
Which part moves gasoline from the tank to the engine?
Water pump
Fuel pump
Depending on the engine, fuel pumps come in a range of configurations and types. Essentially though, they are responsible for pumping fuel along the fuel line to the engine under pressure.
Oil pump
None of the above
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From the options below, select the engine parts that move within a cylinder.
Connecting rod washer
Pistons
A piston moves up and down within the cylinder, compressing the air/gas mixture, which is then ignited by a spark from the spark plug. Pistons are connected to connecting rods.
Crankcase
Solenoid
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Gas is transported from the gas tank to the engine along this.
Fuel transporter
Fuel line
The fuel line is made of reinforced rubber to stop it from perishing. That doesn't mean that it cannot be damaged. In Hollywood movies, you always see the bad guys cutting the fuel line of the hero's car.
Fuel filter
None of the above
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From the options below, name the engine parts that open and close to let the air/fuel mixture into the engine?
Valves
The valves within an engine open and close in sequence to let the air and fuel mixture in. They then seal when combustion takes place and let out the gases produced.
Cylinder head cover
Supercharger
Piston pin bush
Joseph Clark/DigitalVision/Getty Images
Can you name the car part which includes a set of teeth?
Water pump
Sprocket
A sprocket is a wheel with a set of teeth on the outer circumference. It drives items like the chain or timing belt.
Oil filter
None of the above
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Name the engine part that turns the linear motion of the pistons into a rotational motion, which turns the wheels and moves the car?
Cambelt
Crankshaft
Pistons move linearly, up and down, essentially. The crankshaft, which is connected to the transmission through a flywheel, turns that movement into a rotational one. This is needed to move a vehicle forward (or backward, depending on the gear selected).
Tappet
Valve
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Which part of the engine is also known as the cylinder sleeve?
Cylinder liner
This hollow tube fits into the cylinder bore within the engine. The pistons then move within this tight, sealed environment, compressing the fuel/air mixture to be combusted.
Catalytic converter
Exhaust manifold
None of the above
Wiki Commons by Hoikka1
Can you name the part that regulates the transfer of coolant from the radiator to the engine?
Pulley part
Connecting rod bearing
Thermostat
A thermostat ensures that coolant is only pumped from the radiator once the engine has warmed up sufficiently. It allows the coolant to be pushed through the engine whenever it is needed. The coolant then removes the heat from the engine and dissipates it while in the radiator. This process then repeats when needed.
Timing tape
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Moving pistons rotate which part of the engine?
Fan
Crankshaft
When fuel burns in the engine, it pushes the pistons, which in turn rotate the crankshaft. This causes the vehicle to move. Well, a few other things have to happen, but that is essentially the gist of it.
Solenoid
None of the above
Wiki Commons by Saen1978
Which of these forms the connection between the spark plugs and the ignition coil?
Camshaft phase variator
Fuel line
Hi-tension leads
The high tension leads play a crucial part in a car engine. They conduct the electrical current from the ignition coil to the spark plugs, which create the spark to start combustion in the engine.
Drive belt
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Name the engine part of various sizes that help to reduce friction between components.
Air blowers
Bearings
Bearings reduce friction between components within the engine. They protect and support various parts, including the crankshaft and connecting rods.
Cooling fans
Oil gaskets
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Small but important, this part "sparks" your engine into life.
Starter pinion
Cylinder headcover
Sparkplug
Connected to the ignition coil, the spark plug provides the spark that ignites the fuel/air mixture, which then provides the combustion to run the engine.
Gas tank cap
Wiki Commons by Panoha
Do you know the name of the engine part that sprays gasoline into each cylinder?
Fuel injector
Fuel can be delivered straight into the combustion chamber by injectors or mixed with air first, at which the intake stroke of the piston is performed.
Overflow tank
Thermostat
Camshaft pin
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This engine part allows the mixture of fuel and air into the engine to be combusted. Do you know what it is called?
Exhaust system
Air intake manifold
The air intake manifold is essential to how your engine runs. It allows the fuel/air mixture into the cylinder of the engine where it will combust, prompting it to run. It does this by evenly distributing the air/fuel mixture to the intake ports.
Crank pulley
Heater
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By Sonett72 at English Wikipedia via Wikimedia Commons
Which part of a car engine helps to stop crank vibrations?
Fuel line
Balance shaft
This counterweighted engine shaft helps offset unwanted crankshaft vibrations. Vibrations in an engine can lead to problems further down the line, so this is a crucial part on a vehicle.
Radiator bolt
None of the above
Wiki Commons by Hans Haase
When the oil is not lubricating your engine, it is stored here. Name the engine part, please.
Gas tank
Oil pump
Oil pan
This is the reservoir where the oil used to lubricate the engine sits when it is not running. This would need to be drained when you perform an oil change. To do this, simply remove the bolt at the bottom of the pan and let the oil drain into a container.
Oil filter
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From the options below, name the engine part that charges your battery as you drive.
Carburetor
Alternator
Not only does an alternator charge your battery, but​ it also powers most of the electrical systems on a vehicle. If it is faulty, your battery will quickly run flat.
Drive belt
Valve stem seal
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Forming a protective cover, this part is bolted to an engine's cylinder head. Name it.
Valve cover
The valve cover forms a protective cover over the cylinder head of the engine. This stops all kinds of dirt, grime and other debris from getting into the engine and fouling it up. Early engines didn't have valve covers. These are sometimes called rocker covers.
Air intake housing
Harmonic balancer
Mounting
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Spark plugs need to fire in certain order. This helps them do that. Can you name the car part in this image?
Oil filter
Water pump
Distributor
A distributor makes sure the spark plugs fire in the right order. If they do not, the vehicle will not run properly. The distributor is part of the ignition system.
Fan
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Cast from metal, this holds a range of crucial engine parts such as the crankshaft, pistons and more. Any ideas what it is called?
Valve housing
Cradle
CV joint
Engine block
The engine block is made of metal and houses the crankshaft, pistons and cylinders amongst many other parts. In some vehicles, the engine block is made out of aluminum, so it weighs less. Engine blocks are also called cylinder blocks.
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In older engines, this part is responsible for allowing the correct amount of fuel and air into the engine to be combusted.
Carburetor
The carburetor controls the amount of air and fuel entering the engine. This is only found on older engines, however. Modern power units simply do not use a carburetor.
Camshaft pushrod
Distributor
Solenoid
Boonchai wedmakawand/Moment/Getty Images
What is the name of this engine part that is essentially a water reservoir?
Connecting rod washer
Oil sump
Radiator
A radiator dissipates the heat that engine coolant carries from the engine into it. It then circulates it back into the engine to do the same again. If your radiator is leaking, your car's engine will overheat.
Air duct
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This engine part is never found on a gasoline-powered car, only on a diesel engine vehicle. What is it?
Glow plug
All the other parts are found on a gasoline-powered vehicle except a glow plug. That is just found in diesel-powered cars. A glow plug is essentially a small heater that warms up the engine before it starts. This allows the fuel/air mixture to burn properly from the start.
Fan belt
Camshaft
None of the above
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Which part of your engine helps start the motor when you turn the key?
Tappet
Battery
If your car's engine is turning over sluggishly when starting, or nothing happens except for a ticking sound, it's likely your battery is the problem. That is always the first place to check.
Valve
Camshaft locking plate
You Got:
/40
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