Engine control unitAn engine control unit (ECU), also called an engine control module (ECM), is a device that controls various subsystems of an internal combustion engine. Systems commonly controlled by an ECU include the fuel injection and ignition systems. The earliest ECUs (used by aircraft engines in the late 1930s) were mechanical-hydraulic units; however, most 21st-century ECUs operate using digital electronics.
Contact breakerA contact breaker (or "points") is a type of electrical switch, found in the ignition systems of spark-ignition internal combustion engines. The switch is automatically operated by a cam driven by the engine. The timing of operation of the switch is set so that a spark is produced at the right time to ignite the compressed air/fuel mixture in the cylinder of the engine. A mechanism may be provided to slightly adjust timing to allow for varying load on the engine.
FirmwareIn computing, firmware (FW) is software that provides low-level control of computer hardware. For a relatively simple device, firmware may perform all control, monitoring and data manipulation functionality. For a more complex device, firmware may provide only relatively low-level control as well as hardware abstraction to higher-level software such as an operating system.
Air filterA particulate air filter is a device composed of fibrous or porous materials which removes particulates such as smoke, dust, pollen, mold, viruses, and bacteria from the air. Filters containing an adsorbent or catalyst such as charcoal (carbon) or baking sodamay also remove odors and gaseous pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds or ozone.
Poppet valveIn internal combustion engines, a poppet valve (also sometimes called mushroom valve) is a valve typically used to control the timing and quantity of petrol (gas) or vapour flow into or out of an engine, but with many other applications. It consists of a hole or open-ended chamber, usually round or oval in cross-section, and a plug, usually a disk shape on the end of a shaft known as a valve stem.
Ignition systemIgnition systems are used by heat engines to initiate combustion by igniting the fuel-air mixture. In a spark ignition versions of the internal combustion engine (such as petrol engines), the ignition system creates a spark to ignite the fuel-air mixture just before each combustion stroke. Gas turbine engines and rocket engines normally use an ignition system only during start-up.
Internal combustion engineEngine in which fuel combusts with an oxidizerDiagram of a cylinder as found in an overhead cam 4 stroke gasoline engine: C – crankshaftE – exhaust camshaftI – inlet camshaftP – pistonR – connecting rodS – spark plugV – valves.
Air–fuel ratioAir–fuel ratio (AFR) is the mass ratio of air to a solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel present in a combustion process. The combustion may take place in a controlled manner such as in an internal combustion engine or industrial furnace, or may result in an explosion (e.g., a dust explosion). The air–fuel ratio determines whether a mixture is combustible at all, how much energy is being released, and how much unwanted pollution is produced in the reaction.
CarburetorA carburetor (also spelled carburettor or carburetter) is a device used by a gasoline internal combustion engine to control and mix air and fuel entering the engine. The primary method of adding fuel to the intake air is through the Venturi effect or Bernoulli's principle or with a pitot tube in the main metering circuit, though various other components are also used to provide extra fuel or air in specific circumstances.
Idle (engine)Idling refers to running a vehicle's engine and the vehicle is not in motion, or when the vehicle drops to its resting point of RPMs. This commonly occurs when drivers are stopped at a red light, waiting while parked outside a business or residence, or otherwise stationary with the engine running. When idling, the engine runs without any loads except the engine accessories, and without the additional fuel via the gas pedal.
Spark plugA spark plug (sometimes, in British English, a sparking plug, and, colloquially, a plug) is a device for delivering electric current from an ignition system to the combustion chamber of a spark-ignition engine to ignite the compressed fuel/air mixture by an electric spark, while containing combustion pressure within the engine. A spark plug has a metal threaded shell, electrically isolated from a central electrode by a ceramic insulator.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.