The Official HowStuffWorks Engine Quiz

By: Robin Tyler
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
The Official HowStuffWorks Engine Quiz
Image: M_a_y_a / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

There's no doubt about it. The internal combustion engine is one of the most important inventions in the world of transport and certainly right up there as well in human history.

Where would we be without it? Well, probably still using a horse and carriage. And let's be honest, cleaning up after a horse certainly isn't much fun! Cars are one of the most significant forms of transport ever invented. Why? Well, they provide personal freedom at a relatively cheap price. Sure, an aircraft or helicopter might be significantly cooler (although gearheads might argue the point), but they are much more expensive and out of the reach of most people.

But let's get back to your car's engine. It is a complex thing with thousands and thousands of parts which work in perfect harmony ... mostly! When one breaks, even the smallest of parts, you might have some major problems.

And modern engines are not only mechanical but even have complex onboard computers that help them to run.

In this quiz, we are going to explore interesting facts about engines and see just how much you know about them. Some questions are a breeze, while others will really test your knowledge!

Good luck!


 

Who invented the diesel engine?
Rudolf Diesel
Karl Benz
Ransom E. Olds
The Dodge Brothers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It was German engineer Rudolf Diesel who introduced the world to the diesel engine in the 1890s. He applied for a patent in 1892, which he received a year later. However, early diesel engines were large and cumbersome.

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Which famous Ford engine, first seen in 1932, is still revered today and much loved in the hot rod community?
Inline 4
Flathead V8
EcoBoost I-3
Kent engine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Released by Ford in 1932, the Flathead V8 was a revelation. It was cheap to make, powerful, and like nothing else on the market. Even during the Great Depression, it became a favorite.

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Muscle cars are known for their powerful engines. What is the engine type most associated with them?
W16
Straight 6
V8
1-cylinder
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although not all muscle cars have been marketed with V8 engines, the ones that matter have! A muscle car without a V8 is just wrong in our books. And it doesn't need to be a big block V8—a small block is fine as well!

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Which of these parts is exclusively found in a diesel engine?
Fuel line
Crankshaft
Piston
Glow plug
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A glow plug is only found in diesel engines. It helps start the engine by heating, making it turn over easier, especially in cold conditions. Essentially, glow plugs are tiny heaters.

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From these options, pick the engine found in a 1968 Shelby Mustang GT350?
Flathead V8
Inline 6 cylinder
302 V8
Duratec 8v PS
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As iconic as any car ever made, the Shelby Mustang GT350 was powered by the Ford 302 V8. So not only did it look good, it had the power to match!

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When the camshaft turns, it does so at what ratio to the crankshaft?
1/32
1/16
1/4
1/12
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For every two turns of the turn of the crankshaft, the camshaft turns half a turn. This is achieved through gearing.

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An essential part of the engine, this helps to keep the lubricating liquid as clean as possible. What part are we talking about?
Water pump
Fuel filter
Oil filter
Solenoid
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. Generally, the oil filter is changed when your car is serviced.

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From the list below, what burns within the engine to keep the combustion process going and the engine running?
Carbon dioxide
Nitrogen
A mixture of air and gas
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The air/gasoline mixture is ignited by the spark from the spark plug. This starts the combustion process within the cylinder which is necessary to keep the engine running.

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Can you name the famous Italian brand responsible for the Colombo engine?
Fiat
Ferrari
Citroen
BMW
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Colombo engine was made by Ferrari between 1947 and 1988. It takes its name from its designer, Gioacchino Colombo and was a 60 degree V12 configuration.

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In which brand did Chevrolet introduce their small-block V8 engine?
Camaro
Citation
Cruze
Silverado
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The legendary Chevrolet small-block V8 was first seen on the Camaro when it was introduced in 1967. It proved that small-block V8's were also perfect for muscle cars and provide over 300 bhp.

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Which of these parts is not involved in the ignition system of the engine?
High tension wires
Magneto
Catalytic converter
Starter motor
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The catalytic converter has nothing to do with starting a car. It deals with the emissions produced by the engine.

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What do spark plugs need before they can provide a spark to ignite the fuel/air mixture?
An electrical charge of high voltage
Heat
They need to turn 180 degrees
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A high-voltage charge, generated by the ignition, is needed at exactly the right time to ensure the spark plug ignites the air/fuel mixture. Without it, the car simply won't start.

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Can you identify the part that gets gas from the tank to the engine?
Fuel crank
Fuel pump
Fuel filter
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A fuel pump makes sure fuel gets from the area where it is stored (the fuel tank) to the engine where it is burnt to help propulsion. A broken fuel pump means the engine will not receive any gas and the car will not go.

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What is another name for a rotary engine?
Spinner
Twirly Whirley
Wankel
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A Wankel engine is essentially a rotary engine with all parts rotating in the same direction. It's named after Felix Wankel, the man who invented it.

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Which race engine grabbed 64 out of 78 race wins including six Indy 500s?
Chevrolet/Ilmor 2.65 Liter Turbo V8
Ford EcoBoost 1.5
Mazda 1.3
Honda K20
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Six Indy 500s and 64 race wins! Those are some impressive numbers. And Chevrolet achieved it by teaming up with British engine maker, Ilmor.

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Which of these is a famous muscle car engine?
Eagle
HEMI
Grafter
Vroom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The V8 Hemi engine was a product of Chrysler. It received its name from the fact that it has hemispherical combustion chambers. The Hemi was the powerplant for a number of cars, not only muscle cars.

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In an overhead cam engine, where is the camshaft positioned in relation to the valves?
Above
Below
To the left
To the right
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Overhead cam engines have a camshaft situated above the valves. This is the most common type of layout in engines.

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The combustion process in a diesel engine starts with which of these below?
Ignition
Compression
A spark plug
Decompression
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The fuel/air mixture in a diesel engine is combusted through compression in a muscle car. This is achieved by the piston forcing the air and compressing it until combustion occurs.

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From these engines, which has the highest compression ratio?
Gas engine
Diesel engine
Hybrid engine
Electrical engine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A diesel engine combusts the fuel air mixture in a different way to a gas engine. It will use compression of the piston to do this. This generates heat which eventually combusts the fuel/air mixture.

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First released in 1955, over a million units of this small-block V8 were built by 1956—it was that popular. What make of engine is it?
Chevrolet
Opel
Renault
Citroen
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Chevrolet small-block V8 was first released in 1955 and by the end of that year, over a million had been built. Simple, yet effective and powerful, derivatives of this engine are still made today and over 100 million have been made.

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What important component under the hood will rotate an engine just enough to get it rotating on its own?
Spark plugs
Carburetor
Starter
Rotor
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The primary role of the starter is to turn the engine over, causing it to fire and to run on its own. Starters can sometimes be the main cause of an engine not starting, especially if they jam.

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What is the name of the engine part found between the crankshaft and the engine block?
Distributor
Main bearing
Carburetor
Engine manifold
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The main bearings are found between the crankshaft and the block. The crankshaft rotates on these bearings. They are kept lubricated by engine oil.

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By what other name is a horizontally opposed engine known?
Boxer engine
V engine
W engine
Inline engine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A boxer engine, or horizontally opposed engine, sees cylinders arranged on either side of a crankshaft. Boxer engines are found in a range of Porsche models as well as those from Subaru.

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In terms of displacement, which of these would be accurate for the engine in the Ford Model T?
5.0-liter
1.0-liter
2.9-liter
1.5-liter
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Ford Model T was powered by a 2.9-liter inline-four engine for the length of its production run. Of course, it was modified over time and produced more horsepower towards the end. The engine was also used in boating and engineering.

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Which American manufacturer introduced the "Stovebolt" engine in 1929?
Ford
Chevrolet
Dodge
Studebaker
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The "Stovebolt" was introduced by Chevrolet in 1929. It replaced the older straight-four engine and was used on a variety of Chevrolet vehicles. The engine was available as a 3.0-liter, 3.2-liter or a 3.4-liter unit.

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The combustion process in a diesel engine is caused by which of these below?
Spark plug
The compression of air in the piston
A small flame
Glow plug
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A diesel engine is a compression ignition engine and not a spark ignition engine. This is because compression of the air by the piston causes combustion.

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Can you name the car part that not only runs electrical systems but helps start the car as well?
Starter motor
Battery
Distributor
Fan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The battery on your car is one of the most crucial engine components. Not only does it ensure that the starter motor turns over, thus beginning the process that starts the engine, it also runs other systems, including the radio as well as lights, both internal and external.

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If your brake pedal feels spongy, what does it mean?
The tires are faulty
The brake system has air in it
A new brake cable must be installed
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If any air has worked its way into the brake system, the brake pedal will immediately feel spongy. The brakes will need to be bled to remedy the situation.

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What is it called when air circulates through an engine?
Breathing
Flow
Normally aspirated
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Most vehicles you will see on the road run normally aspirated engines. Other engines might have superchargers or turbochargers.

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From the list below, can you name the car part that brings fuel to the engine?
Fuel line
Fuel filter
Fuel flow piston
Fuel air duct
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The fuel line connects the gas tank of a vehicle with the engine. It is tasked with bringing gasoline from the tank where it is stored to the engine when it is started and running. The gasoline is passed through a filter to remove any impurities in it. Impurities, if not removed, can damage the engine leading to costly repairs.

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Which Ford engine was produced between 1965 and 1996?
300 I-6
Model T Inline-4
Flathead V8
Windsor
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Produced for a 31-year period between 1965 and 1996, the 300 I-6 from Ford was a stalwart of their F-truck series. So impressive was this engine that Ford used it in heavy-duty truck models as well.

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Air-cooled engines are far lighter than traditional liquid-cooled engines. Which of these below is true about them?
They use more gas
They run colder
They run hotter
They use more oil
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Air-cooled engines run hotter than a liquid-cooled engine because their is no coolant flowing through it to cool it down. So when the car stops driving, the engine will increase in temperature.

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Do you know another name for piston pins?
Connectors
Wrist pin
Rotors
None of the above
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. It moves when the piston moves up and down within the cylinder.

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Can you name the engine part that converts the mechanical energy produced by the engine to electrical energy?
Crankshaft
Cambelt
Alternator
Solenoid
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The alternator is an important part of your car's engine. It takes mechanical energy, converts it into electrical energy, and then uses that to keep the battery charged, for example.

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Which car manufacturer is responsible for the famous XK6 engine?
Lada
Jaguar
Skoda
Geely
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A dual overhead camshaft inline-six engine, the XK6 was first produced by Jaguar in 1949 and remained in production until 1992! Over that time, it was manufactured in five displacement sizes ranging from 2.4 to 4.2 liters.

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You Got:
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M_a_y_a / E+ / Getty Images