Author: Anthony Fontanelle
Opening the hood of your Pontiac would expose a jumble of tubes, metals and wires. Among these parts is your Pontiac engine. It is a part of your internal combustion system that is responsible for burning gasoline in order to make your car move. It is considered to be the heart of your Pontiac car, because without it, your Pontiac would not be able to move an inch. There are different types of engines, and the most common of these are the 2-stroke engines and the 4-stroke engines. Automobiles are using 4-stroke engines because they have a larger capacity than 2-stroke engines. Four-stroke engines feature valves on top of the combustion chamber. The number of valves varies depending on the configurations of your car. That is why there are V-twin, V-5, V-6, and V-8 engines. The entire cycle of your Pontiac engine happens in four ways. First, it sucks a mixture of air and fuel. Second, the air fuel mixture is compressed. Third, it ignites the compressed mixture through the use of a spark plug. And lastly, it allows the combustion gases to force the piston back down.
However, your Pontiac engine would not be able to do this complex function if not for its sub components. There are key parts attached to your engine that makes internal combustion highly efficient. These are the spark plug, engine valves, piston, piston rings, connecting rod, crankshaft and sump. The spark plug makes it possible for combustion to occur because it ignites the air/fuel mixture by supplying spark at an exact time. Valves work by letting in air and fuel by opening and closing at the proper time. The piston looks like a cylindrical metal piece that moves up and down inside the cylinder. Pistons rings provide a sliding seal for the inner edge of the cylinder and the outer edge of the piston. Your engine is also made up of a connecting rod that links the crankshaft and the piston. The crankshaft aids the engine by turning the up and down motion of the piston into circular motion. Lastly, the sump can be found surrounding the crankshaft that serve as an oil collector.
Some of the major causes of engine failure include lack of lubrication, overheating, engine misassembly, and detonation or spark knock. Your Pontiac engine normally operates between 195 to 220 degrees F. But when your Pontiac engine overheats, the cylinder walls can swell, crack or warp. Engine overheating can be caused by low coolant level or coolant loss. Faulty thermostat is another cause of engine overheating. Lack of lubrication can be caused by oil starvation and low oil pressure. Meanwhile, detonation is another type of engine failure that results from excessive pressure and heat in the combustion chamber. This happens when there is a sudden rise in the cylinder pressure as the fuel ignites spontaneously. Engine misassembly can be cause by incorrect clearances of engine bearing, misalignment, and failure to lubricate and clean parts during engine assembly. Poorly functioning engines must be repaired by a professional mechanic to stop drivability and performance problems. But if your Pontiac engine is beyond repair, it would be best to replace it with a new one.
About the Author:Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/performance-pontiac-enginethe-heart-of-your-entire-vehicle-drivetrain-213441.html