What are the components of the engine valve train?
2 Answers
Below are the components of the engine valve train: 1. The valve train can be divided into two main parts: the valve group and the valve drive group. 2. The valve group includes the valves and related components, and its composition is largely independent of the form of the valve train. 3. The valve drive group consists of all components from the timing gear to those that actuate the valves, including the camshaft timing gear, tappets, push rods, rocker arms, and rocker arm shafts. Below are the functions of the valve train: 1. It opens and closes the intake and exhaust valves of each cylinder according to the engine's working cycle and firing sequence, allowing the air-fuel mixture or fresh air to enter the engine cylinders promptly. 2. Simultaneously, it ensures that the exhaust gases are expelled from the cylinders in a timely manner after combustion.
The valve train is indeed the heart of an engine. I remember working on it frequently when I repaired cars in my younger days. It mainly consists of components like the camshaft, valves, valve springs, and rocker arms. The camshaft is a rotating shaft that controls the opening and closing of valves; valves are divided into intake valves (which draw in fresh air) and exhaust valves (which expel waste gases); valve springs are responsible for pushing the valves back to their closed position; and rocker arms act as small levers, assisting the camshaft in moving the valves. If these parts don't work together properly, the engine can struggle to breathe, leading to unstable idling or weak acceleration. During routine maintenance, I always remind my friends to regularly check valve clearance and timing system wear, as oil or gas leaks can easily increase fuel consumption. It's best to have a technician perform a simple inspection every 20,000 to 30,000 kilometers. The most common issues in older cars are fatigued or broken valve springs and bent valve stems—any unusual engine noise should be addressed promptly. Overall, while the valve train design is complex, understanding it can significantly reduce car repair headaches.
