Engine Image Challenge: What Parts Can You Identify?

By: Robin Tyler
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Engine Image Challenge: What Parts Can You Identify?
Image: Henrik5000 / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Without an engine, your motor vehicle is pretty useless, isn't it?

We all know the anguish of when we get into our car and it simply won't start. And it could be a number of reasons that have caused this to happen. Why? Well, your car's engine is made up of thousands and thousands of parts, big and small, all working together to ensure the power generated by the engine is transferred into the energy that makes your vehicle move. 

And just think of those first engine designers figuring out who to do this, often with so much trial and error. Those men were incredible but we should be eternally grateful to them. Those engines, just like modern ones need all its parts working in perfect harmony to make the engine run efficiently, because an engine that is not running as efficiently as it should is burning your money!

But now let's ask you a question: How much do you know about the internal combustion engine, and car engines in particular? Do you know your exhaust manifolds from your mufflers, your oil pump from your fuel pump or your spark plug from your glow plug?

We want to test your knowledge with these 40 questions. Do you think you identify engine parts from just an image?


Engine block
Neti Phunitiphat / Moment / Getty Images
Parts of the engine found here include the piston, crankshaft and cylinders. Can you name this engine part?
Engine block
Manifold
Piston pin
Battery cap
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The engine block is the lower section of the engine. It is cast out of metal and houses the crankshaft, pistons and cylinders.

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Sprockets
schlol / E+ / Getty Images
Found all over the engine, these parts have teeth. What are they?
Flywheel
Sprockets
Sparking cable
Vacuum gauge
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A sprocket is a wheel with a set of teeth on the outer circumference. It drives items like the chain or timing belt. Many sprockets are found in the gearing system on a vehicle.

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Spark plugs
Jorge Villalba / E+ / Getty Images
Can you name these, which help start your vehicle's engine?
Distributor cap
Ignition magneto
Spark plugs
Voltmeter
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Essentially, spark plugs are the most important factor in a vehicle starting. They provide the spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture which starts the motor and keeps it running.

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Fuel pump
Wiki Commons by Sonett72
This moves gasoline from the gas tank to the engine. What is it called?
Ignition box
Airbag sensor
Starter pinion gear
Fuel pump
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A fuel pump makes sure gasoline gets from the area where it is stored (the gas tank) to the engine where it is burned to help propulsion.

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Radiator
schlol / E+ / Getty Images
What is the name of this tank that holds coolant for the engine?
Switch cover
Air conditioning harness
MAP sensor
Radiator
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The radiator is a reservoir that holds coolant. This is used to keep the engine cool while it is running. A thermostat determines when coolant is allowed to flow through the engine.

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Air filter
photoggin / E+ / Getty Images
Air entering the engine is cleaned by this engine part. What is it called?
Air filter
Fuse
Performance chip
Transmission computer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An air filter ensures the air entering the engine, which is used during the combustion process, is kept clean and free of any particles which may damage the engine.

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Oil pan
ollo / E+ Getty Images
This part of the engine is the reservoir where oil is stored. What is it called?
Engine cradle
Accessory belt
Oil pan
Air duct
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The oil pan serves as the oil reservoir. It's a removable part that is mounted on the bottom of the cylinder block. To drain the oil from the oil pan, simply remove a single bolt.

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Valve cover
Wiki Commons by Nrbelex
Bolted to the cylinder head, can you name this protective cover?
Valve spring
Piston pin bush
Water pump pulley
Valve cover
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The valve cover is bolted onto the cylinder head. It acts as a protective lid. The cover gasket, on the other hand, is placed between the valve cover and the cylinder head.

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Connecting rod
Wiki Commons by Nimbus227
Here we have the engine part that connects the piston to the crankshaft. Do you know what it is called?
Connecting rod
Timing tape
Tappet
Crankcase
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The connecting rod forms the mechanical link between the piston and crankshaft. It converts the up and down motion to the crankshaft's rotary motion.

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Hydraulic valve lifter
Steven Sapyak via YouTube
Can you name the engine part in this image, please?
Connecting rod washer
Hydraulic valve lifter
Overflow tank
Heat shield
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The hydraulic valve lifter is a lifting part that helps to maintain zero valve clearance. It uses hydraulic oil pressure to do this and eliminates the need for valve adjustment.

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Bearing
photoggin / E+ / Getty Images
This part helps to reduce friction between various components and comes in different sizes. What is it?
Choke cable
Bearing
Oil strainer
Throttle body
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A bearing is a curved metal piece that reduces friction between components. It comes in many different shapes and sizes and is found throughout the engine.

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Exhaust valve
Gurdeep Singh via YouTube
When the fuel/air mixture is burned within the engine, gases are released into the exhaust system through the ________?
Clutch cable
Intake manifold gasket
EGR valve
Exhaust valve
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An exhaust valve is a camshaft-driven valve in the cylinder head. It releases exhaust gases after combustion.

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Oil control ring
MAHLE Motorsports North America via YouTube
This small ring controls the rate of oil consumption within the cylinders of the engine. What is it called?
Bell housing
Oil control ring
Radiator bolt
Water pipe
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The oil control ring controls oil consumption within the cylinder. It comes under the umbrella of piston rings.

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Timing belt
Marin Tomas / Moment Open / Getty Images
Can you name this belt that helps the engine run efficiently?
Timing belt
Water pump
Cooling fan
Muffler
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The timing belt is a toothed belt. It's usually made of reinforced rubber and it rides on the sprockets. It ensures that the pistons fire at the correct time, thus ensuring the engine runs as efficiently as possible.

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Oil filter
Douglas Sacha / Moment / Getty Images
Of the options below, can you name the part that keeps the liquid lubricating the engine, clean?
Resonator
Oil filter
Radiator gasket
Catalytic converter
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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.

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Carburetor
Igor Ustynskyy / Moment / Getty Images
Please can you tell us which engine part is shown in this image?
Carburetor
EGR valve
Oil pan
Fuel rail
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The carburetor controls the amount of air and gasoline entering the engine. For example, too much gasoline and the engine will run rich, wasting gas that it cannot burn, too little gasoline and it will run too lean.

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Distributor
Wiki Commons by Hoikka1
High-tension leads connect this part to the spark plugs. Please can you tell us what it is?
Water pump
Thermostat
Fuel pressure regulator
Distributor
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The distributor makes sure the spark plugs fire in the right order. It is connected to the spark plugs through high-tension leads. The distributor forms a part of the ignition system.

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Ignition system
rudolf carl via YouTube
Without this, your car will not start. What system are we talking about?
Radiator shroud
Ignition system
Crank case
Camshaft locking plate
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This system helps to start the engine by generating a spark that causes the air-fuel mixture within the combustion chamber to ignite. Without it, your car will not start, let alone run.

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Intercooler
Wiki Commons by SteveBaker
Here we have a part only found in turbocharged engines. What is it?
Rocker arm
Pulley part
Valve stem seal
Intercooler
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Found in turbocharged engines, an intercooler reduces the temperature of the air compressed by the turbocharger. This makes it denser when it is pushed through the engine, which produces more power.

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Fuel filter
Wiki Commons by Diego Torres Silvestre
Can you name the part pictured here which removes impurities from gasoline before it enters the engine?
Engine shake damper
Air intake housing
Connecting rod bearing
Fuel filter
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A fuel filter will help to remove impurities that might be in gasoline which, if they get into the engine, can cause complications. All gas is pumped through the filter before it enters the engine.

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Starter motor
Wiki Commons by Y Sekiai
Turn the key and this engine part swings into action. Can you name it?
Camshaft pushrod
Starter motor
Connecting rod bolt
Piston pin bush
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When you turn the key of your car, the starter motor begins the combustion process by rotating the engine. Sometimes, when your car will not start, the starter motor is not operating properly and could be jammed.

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Valve
Marin Tomas / Moment / Getty Images
This part lets the fuel and air mixture into the piston. Can you name it?
Valve
Engine cradle
Fan belt
Gudgeon pin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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 then let the gases produced out.

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Thermostat
Wiki Commons by Hoikka1
This part regulates when coolant is pumped into the engine from the radiator. Any ideas as to what it is?
Strainer
Oil gasket
Thermostat
Fuel water separator
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A thermostat ensures that coolant is only pumped from the radiator once the engine has warmed up sufficiently. It does this by measuring the temperature of the engine.

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Piston
3alexd / E+ / Getty Images
Can you please name this engine part that moves in an up and down motion within a cylinder?
Piston
Exhaust flange gasket
Fuel distributor
Fuel injector
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The piston fits snugly within the cylinder. It moves ups and down in the cylinder and is attached to a connecting rod. A piston will compress the fuel/air mixture in the cylinder and help cause combustion.

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Single overhead camshaft
Stephen Le Page via YouTube
This engine part is often abbreviated to SOHC. Do you know what it is?
Single overhead camshaft
Intake manifold gasket
Fuel injector nozzle
Distributor cap
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The single overhead camshaft refers to an engine with one camshaft that operates both the exhaust and intake valves.

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Balance shaft
ILYAZ tv via YouTube
What is the name of the engine part shown here? It helps offset unwanted crankshaft vibrations.
Choke cable
Balance shaft
Spacer ring
Belt tensioner
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The balance shaft is a counterweighted engine shaft. It offsets unwanted crankshaft vibrations.

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Cylinder liner
Wiki Commons by Nibi
Also commonly called a sleeve in engine lingo, can you name this car part?
EGR valve
Fuel line
Oil filter
Cylinder liner
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The cylinder liner is also known as a sleeve. It's a replaceable, hollow tube that fits into the cylinder bore. The piston then moves within this liner.

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Wrist pin
Wiki Commons by Flytime.ir
Piston pins are also sometimes called this. What part from the list below are we talking about?
Exhaust manifold
Wrist pin
Intake manifold gasket
Spindle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A piston pin is known as a wrist pin. It's a tubular metal shaft that attaches a piston to a connecting rod.

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Pulley
Wiki Commons by CZmarlin
Can you name this part, sometimes referred to as the harmonic balancer?
Pulley at the front of the crankshaft
Piston
Crankshaft
Cambelt
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

he harmonic balancer is the pulley bolted to the crankshaft. It helps dampen crankshaft vibration, which means the engine runs smoothly.

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Cylinder head bolts
EricTheCarGuy via YouTube
Can you identify the fastener shown in the image, please?
Cylinder head bolts
Spark plug
Glowplug
Camshaft
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Head bolts are sometimes referred to as cylinder head bolts. These secure a cylinder head and gasket to the engine block. You don't want these to come loose.

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Sodium cooled valve
Dan Reed via YouTube
This part is filled with an element on the periodic table. Can you name it?
Sodium cooled valve
Tie rod end
Intake manifold
Throttle body
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The sodium-cooled valve is filled with sodium. duh! When heated, the sodium melts and helps to cool things down. This helps to regulate the temperature of the engine.

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Dual overhead camshaft
Wiki Commons by Neodarkshadow
This engine part is abbreviated as DOHC. What is it?
Fuel cooler
Choke cable
Heat shield
Dual overhead camshaft
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A DOHC is a Dual (or Double) Overhead Camshaft. It's like a SOHC, but with an extra camshaft! This helps the engine produce more power, perfect for racers!

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Main bearings
jieann57 via YouTube
Can you name this engine part found between the crankshaft and the engine block?
Main bearings
Exhaust clamp and bracket
Muffler
Fuel pump gasket
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The main bearings are between the crankshaft and the block. The crankshaft rotates on these bearings. All their parts are lubricated by oil.

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Expansion Plug
groutaone via YouTube
Do you know the name of this engine part? It relieves pressure by expanding.
Steering arm
Fuel tank cover
Expansion plug
Crankshaft
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The expansion plug provides pressure relief. This is necessary when coolant expands due to freezing temperatures. If the plug didn't expand, the coolant might damage the radiator.

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Rocker arm
Colin Martens via YouTube
This lever is moved when the pushrod within the engine moves. Can you identify it?
Tie bar
Rocker arm
Fuel cooler
Kingpin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The rocker arm is driven by a pushrod or camshaft lobe. This transfers motion to open and close the valves, which in turn let in the air/fuel mixture.

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Piston pin clip
Shane Conley via YouTube
Can you name this part that helps keep the piston in place?
Piston pin clip
Distributor cap
Camber arm
Heat sleeve
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The piston pin clip is used to keep the piston in place. It is secured on both sides. The piston then moves within the cylinder.

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Crankshaft
kevinjeon00 / E+ / Getty Images
In this image, we have a vital part of an engine. What is it called?
Fan clutch
Cylinder head gasket
Crankshaft
Crank pulley
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When fuel burns in the engine, it pushes the pistons which in turn rotate the crankshaft. This causes the vehicle to move.

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Turbocharger
Wiki Commons by Panoha
This engine part is only found on some cars and provides more power. What is it?
Spark plug
Hi-tension leads
Drive belt
Turbocharger
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In simple terms, a turbocharger pushes more air into the engine, which in turn creates more power as more fuel is burned.

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Water pump
VintageVideos2009 via YouTube
In this image we have a car part that moves coolant through the engine. Can you name it please?
Valve stem seal
Water pump
Oil pan
Radiator bolt
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This pump ensures that coolant which is kept in the radiator is moved through the coolant system on the car. It will only do so once the thermostat allows it to, and this depends on the temperature of the engine.

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Air intake manifold
1A Auto Parts via YouTube
What is the name of this engine part?
Radiator pressure cap
Exhaust clamp and bracket
Lateral link
Air intake manifold
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This part is essential to how your engine runs. It allows the fuel/air mixture into the cylinder of the engine where it will combust, causing the engine to run. It does this by evenly distributing the air/fuel mixture to the intake ports.

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You Got:
/40
Henrik5000 / E+ / Getty Images