Air Intake Systems

internal combustion engine, from tiny scooter engines to colossal ship engines, requires two basic things to function – oxygen and fuel – but just tossing oxygen and fuel into a container does not make an engine. Tubes and valves guide oxygen and fuel into the cylinder, where a piston compresses the mixture to be ignited. The explosive force pushes the piston down, forcing the crankshaft to rotate, giving the user mechanical force to move the vehicle, run generators, and pump water, to name a few of the functions of an automotive engine.

The air intake system is critical to the function of the engine, collecting air and directing it to individual cylinders, but that’s not all. Following a typical oxygen molecule through the air intake system, we can learn what each part does to keep your engine running efficiently. (Depending on the vehicle, these parts may be in a different order.)