Mazda Training manual - part 229

 
1 – INTRODUCTION 

 

1

Piston Engine Fundamentals

TC010-05-01S

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COURSE OVERVIEW

 

 
Welcome to the Mazda self-study guide Piston Engine Fundamentals. Before you begin, 
please read the following information. 
 
 
 
Audience and Purpose

 

 
This guide is designed for entry-level automotive technicians. It introduces the basic 
principles of engine operation, as well as descriptions of major engine components. 
 
The guide assumes that you have little or no knowledge about engine operation. The 
information covered in this guide is required for Mazda’s Engine Course. 

 

 
1 – INTRODUCTION 

 

2

Piston Engine Fundamentals

TC010-05-01S

Course Content and Objectives

 

 

In addition to this Introduction (Section 1), this guide includes five major sections and a 
glossary. The objectives for each section follow. 

 

 

2 – Basic Engine Operation

 

 

• 

Describe how engines generate and control power. 

 

• 

Describe the four-stroke cycle. 

 

• 

Define engine design characteristics, such as bore, stroke, and displacement. 

 

 

3 – Short Block

 

 

• 

Identify the major parts of the short block. 

 

 

4 – Valve Train

 

 

• 

Identify the major parts of the valve train. 

 

 

5 – Lubrication System

 

 

• 

Identify the major parts of the lubrication system and describe how they lubricate engine 
parts. 

 

 

6 – Cooling System

 

 

• 

Identify the major parts of the cooling system and describe how they control engine 
temperature. 

 

 

7 – Glossary

 

 

• 

Define terms used throughout this guide.

 

 

 
1 – INTRODUCTION 

 

3

Piston Engine Fundamentals

TC010-05-01S

 
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

 

 
 
To get the most benefit from this guide, complete the sections in order, 
from 1 through 6. Allow enough time to complete each section, and don’t 
try to complete the whole book in one sitting. You will retain more of 
what you learn if you split up the reading and review exercises over 
several days.

 

 
 
 
Section Objectives

 

 
Each section begins with a list of learning objectives. These objectives tell 
you exactly what you will learn in the section. Read these objectives before 
you begin a section. When you have completed the section, go back and 
review the objectives to make sure you have learned the material. 
 
Text and Illustrations

 

 
Each section includes text and illustrations that explain important concepts 
and terms. Read the text carefully and study the illustrations. You may also 
want to take notes as you go along. 
 
Each illustration includes numbered “callouts” that identify engine parts or 
processes described in the text. The numbered items beside the 
illustration identify the parts that are called out, as shown in the following 
example from Section 2. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Piston

 

 Crankshaft

 

 Flywheel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To transmission 

 
1 – INTRODUCTION 

 

4

Piston Engine Fundamentals

TC010-05-01S

Review Exercises

 

 

This guide includes nine sets of Review Exercises, which appear at various points 
throughout the guide. These exercises are designed to check your understanding of the 
material. Make sure you answer the questions in each Review Exercise. Then check your 
answers with the answer key. 

 

If you’re not sure about one or more of your answers, go back and read the material 
again. Make sure you understand the previous material before you move on to new 
material.