How a Car Engine Works

An inside look at the basic systems that make up a standard car engine.

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I use Blender 3D to create these models. It's free and open source, and the community is amazing:

Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:14 4 Stroke Cycle
1:22 Firing Order
1:36 Camshaft / Timing Belt
1:56 Crankshaft
2:15 Block / Heads
2:35 V6 / V8
3:02 Air Intake
3:25 Fuel
3:54 Cooling
5:02 Electrical
6:06 Oil
7:03 Exhaust
7:28 Full Model

[animagraffs]

Another installment in our developing automotive series: How a Manual Transmission and Clutch Works

[josefranciscohernandezjr.]

Finally, someone who puts himself in a beginner's perception and explains himself so that they can understand while everyone else just blats out information with no connection. Thank you, truly.

[cryptosminem]

It’s absolutely incredible how a group of minds came together and created this engineering masterpiece.

[hohohor]

It's been over a century since the first car was made, nearly two decades since YouTube was born, and I have never seen such an easy-to-follow video about the engine than this! Brilliant explanation!

[maxineloveman]

I can tell these videos were initially fuelled by your passion for complex 3D modelling, but your scripts and the way you organize information are truly immaculate and make for stellar teaching tools. You're part of what makes the internet great, and I doubt you could ever be adequately compensated for such quality work.

[Bromon]

It’s incredible when you realize that these movements happen so fast in real time that it’s a blur. Not only do these movements have to be extremely precise but they have to happen at thousands of times per minute.

[tyroberts]

Direct to the point, clear, precise and beautifully animated. Where were you when I was a teenager trying to figure this all out.

[TrustandobeyGod]

As a young woman who doesn't know much about how a car works and is trying to learn, this was super helpful! Thank you so much for explaining everything clearly and slowly. Great job on this video!

[jimt]

I've been in the automotive business for over 40 years. I know all this like the back of my hand.
This is far and away the best explanation of how an ICE works that I have ever seen.

[ralphwilson]

It’s hard to believe that engineers came up with this complex design around 1900. So many moving parts to keep in time. It was a basic engine back then but still had a crank and cam and timing components and valves that had to be in time to run. Amazing!

[GC]

This is a very well made piece of learning. Anyone who owns or drives a car can benefit from watching this. Just knowing the names of the parts is valuable for anyone taking a car to be serviced.

[kms]

As a young man who doesn't know much about how a car works and is trying to learn, this was super helpful! Thank you so much for explaining everything clearly and slowly. Great job on this video!

[thomasfry]

This provides a complete picture of all main engine components within a concise 7 minute video designed for beginners, absolutely amazing.

[yashrajmehta]

This animation must have taken a lot of time and effort... Congratulations on making such a great video

[ciscoc.]

I've had so many "car people" condescendingly try and explain cars to me...and yet this 8 min video explained it better than anyone in my 25 years could. wow.

[tarajibrooksjr.]

I’ve literally made this video last 2 hours studying every system in an engine. I’m lookin for my first car and I learn how it works and this 8 minute video was pure gold. Thank you so much 💫

[einsteingamer.]

Dude this is the best explanation ever, everything is explained separately, it’s explained simply but not so simple it feels like I’m a toddler, and your going at the perfect pace for me to soak in the knowledge. Here’s some chez for you amazing explanation 🧀

[AleksWorkshop]

Couldn't understand how evertything worked together for the longest time. Thank you for this video!

[DeeRuss]

It all started with me holding a flashlight and my dad yelling at me to pass him the socket wrench

[christmastiger]

Thank you so much for this! When anyone has tried to explain how an engine works it all goes over my head, but the not only did you relay the concepts clearly in a way that made sense, but also the visuals were so incredibly well done and helpful that it actually got through to me.