How a Car Engine Works • Hacker News Board

Re: How a Car Engine Works

#61

Post by kamjam » Thu, Sep 05, 2013, 2:55 PM UTC

sitharus wrote: post #39

davethespider wrote: post #31

You guys are unreal with your comments - is it jealousy or something. Whatever it is it make me want to never come here again

Never underestimate the pedantry of a crowd of IT-types. I used to be like that, but I grew out of it. The main problem seems to be that it's either a simplification - which is needed because the real thing is too complex to absorb at once - or the technology choice doesn't meet their expectations. As someone who knows all about engines, I think it's neat. Too many people don't have the faintest idea about how their…

I agree. People need to realise the market that this guy was targeting - it is average Joe on the streets, not the HN nerdy types. I know a fair amount engines and how they work, I still think it's very informative. The guy is a self taught graphic designer that judging by his portfolio works mainly with Photoshop. Instead of some people complaining about "it should be tech X or tech Y", maybe reach out to the guy and try to work with him.

I'd like to see one on airplane and jet engines next :)

Re: How a Car Engine Works

#62

Post by allworknoplay » Thu, Sep 05, 2013, 2:59 PM UTC

Since we've got a bunch of awesome gearheads commenting, can someone tell me why manual transmission is so easy to stall out? Particularly between say 1st and 2nd (although I'm sure it's got nothing to do with the actual gears). Just curious.

...aside from obvious commentary of my abilities driving manual ;)

Re: How a Car Engine Works

#63

Post by danysantiago » Thu, Sep 05, 2013, 3:06 PM UTC

I loves this kind of graphical information. If your more curious, here is a really old video with a really good explanation on differentials:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F40ZBDAG8-o

Re: How a Car Engine Works

#64

Post by sliverstorm » Thu, Sep 05, 2013, 3:26 PM UTC

xd wrote: post #35

sitharus wrote: post #4

It's worth noting that the engine illustrated is a gasoline direct injection engine, which are fairly common on new cars but historically not so. Until the early 2000s most fuel injected gasoline engines were multi-point injection - the fuel was injected in to the incoming air stream immediately before the cylinder, and before that indirect injection which injected where the carburettor was. Then there are carburetto…

Are you sure this is a direct injection? I'm seeing the injector directly behind the inlet valves which would make it multi point.

Which is actually very accurate. Modern injectors are positioned to spray fuel on the back of the valve. This helps cool the valve which protects them from heat-related damage, and also helps vaporize the fuel.

Re: How a Car Engine Works

#65

Post by stevehawk » Thu, Sep 05, 2013, 3:42 PM UTC

sitharus wrote: post #4

It's worth noting that the engine illustrated is a gasoline direct injection engine, which are fairly common on new cars but historically not so. Until the early 2000s most fuel injected gasoline engines were multi-point injection - the fuel was injected in to the incoming air stream immediately before the cylinder, and before that indirect injection which injected where the carburettor was. Then there are carburetto…

maybe also worth noting that this is OHC and not pushrod

Re: How a Car Engine Works

#66

Post by deelowe » Thu, Sep 05, 2013, 3:45 PM UTC

Awesome. Would be cool to add the W engine configuration as well.

Re: How a Car Engine Works

#67

Post by stevehawk » Thu, Sep 05, 2013, 3:47 PM UTC

chiph wrote: post #58

maxerickson wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That isn't true, most hybrids still have a mechanical connection between the combustion engine and the drive wheels. That is, the Prius, Ford hybrids, GM hybrids, I'm sure others.

AFAIK, the Chevrolet Volt (and Opel clone, etc) is the only one where the engine just charges the batteries, and the drive wheels are run by the electric motor alone. From a technical standpoint, it's a good design for a hybrid - you can optimize each part of the system separately. But GM didn't quite get the car as a whole correct -- it has some ergonomic problems, priced higher than the value (perceived and actual)…

^ - this. Volt fires up gas motor to optimum efficiency point to serve as a generator for the electric motor, which is the only motor connected to the drivetrain

Re: How a Car Engine Works

#68

Post by zwieback » Thu, Sep 05, 2013, 3:48 PM UTC

Love it, best thing on HN today! Could you add diesel and 2 stroke?

Re: How a Car Engine Works

#69

Post by iota » Thu, Sep 05, 2013, 3:57 PM UTC

I am now more useful in a post-apocalyptic world. Awesome!

Re: How a Car Engine Works

#70

Post by mdesq » Thu, Sep 05, 2013, 3:58 PM UTC

davethespider wrote: post #31

You guys are unreal with your comments - is it jealousy or something. Whatever it is it make me want to never come here again

Spot on.

Everything posted here is viewed as an opportunity for critique. It's driving me away as well. Perfect is truly the enemy of the good.

Truth be told, it was a few diagrams similar to these (though non-moving) that I saw and studied when I was probably about ten years old that fired up my interest in the mechanics of automobiles specifically. That turned into a long-term pursuit and I even spent several years working professionally as a mechanic and delving into some custom and high-performance work. It was doing engine performance management and working with ECUs that I dove into electrical signalling and decided to shift gears a little and get into the high-tech world, so I put myself through college at night. I still think of those diagrams from time to time.

Someone's creation of a few diagrams like this years ago opened up this kid's mind in a lasting way. I'm sure there were plenty of criticisms to be made on them, but they still had an important and lasting impact.